“Alexa and Katie”, a Netflix originals series, aired on March 23. The show details the lives of two best friends, one of whom is battling cancer while still trying to have a normal high school experience. Photo Fair Use of newonnetflix.com.
The Netflix original “Alexa and Katie”, which was released on March 23, is a slightly corny yet heartfelt series that is sure to have young people talking.
Netflix streams hundreds of movies, documentaries, T.V. shows and more, but what they have recently been acclaimed for is their original series. From “Stranger Things” and “Narcos” to “Dear White People” and “Big Mouth”, Netflix has given viewers a wide range of productions. However, Netflix’s newest original series is something we haven’t seen from the streaming service yet.
“Alexa and Katie”, which aired on Netflix on March 23, follows the lives of Alexa (Paris Berelc) and Katie (Isabel May) — two young girls anticipating the start of high school. The girls starts to feel like outsiders when Alexa starts undergoing cancer treatment, but they stick together through all the ups and downs.
The show gives off a clear Disney Channel vibe, with the typical quirky-yet-stunningly-beautiful female leads, sometimes cheesy comedy and the leads’ desire to fit in with the cool kids. The structure is one viewers have certainly seen before, but definitely not from a Netflix original series.
“Alexa and Katie”, similar to Disney Channel shows like “Andi Mack”, aims to appeals to kids and teenagers while still touching on important and sensitive issues. The shows is about Alexa and Katie’s friendship and the hardships they endure together.
Seeing a show that is centered around a positive female friendship in such a raw and heartfelt way is refreshing. Also refreshing is the way in which cancer is portrayed through the main character.
Alexa is portrayed as a girl who loves basketball, her best friend, her family and is also struggling with an illness. However, it does not consume her. The show is able to portray how a young person may struggle with an illness while not becoming their illness.
Increasing the discussion of important topics such as cancer in our media is necessary. Though a Disney-style show may be a slightly corny way of going about that, the premise is still important, and the show makes for some laughs — a cringe or two — but overall touching moments.
