Among its loyal fans, the depiction of the main characters and their arcs in Freeform's The Bold Type has always been a hot topic of conversation. The show, at its core, is a series about three best friends - Kat, Sutton, and Jane - as they navigate life and love in New York City while working for the women's magazine Scarlet.
But over time, the series introduced more and more characters into its fold, some who received much more development and care than others. The series has produced some relationships and characters who will stand the test of time in terms of representation, but not each of these characters got the fitting ending they deserved to match their journeys.
10 Fitting: Andrew
For much of the series' run, Andrew wasn't allowed to be much more than Jacqueline's ever doting assistant. He practically worshipped the ground Jacqueline walked on, acting as a buffer between her and all the other employees of Scarlet, including his nemesis, Jane.
Over time, however, Andrew's layers were peeled back, revealing a talented drag performer and a profoundly vulnerable young man. In his final major arc in the series, Andrew communicates with Jacqueline that he is struggling to make ends meet, and receives the raise he more than deserves.
9 Deserved More: Adena El-Amin
In the first season of the series, Adena was an incredible, refreshing character. As a self-proclaimed proud Muslim lesbian, Adena allowed the show to navigate nuanced conversations about sexuality, politics, and so much more.
As the series progressed, however, the level of care her character was treated with declined. She coldly broke up with Kat - after suggesting an open relationship - by claiming Kat drained her muse as an artist. When the two are forced back together again at the end of the finale, it feels like catering to the fans, more than it was earned by any narrative.
8 Fitting: Alex Crawford
Though Alex played more of a supporting character role in the early seasons of the series, he eventually grew into his own as a writer for Scarlet, and as a supportive friend for the three main girls.
He began to find his voice more through his Ask Alex column and podcast, proving more and more that he was capable of handling nuanced social issues that many journalists would shy away from. Though his decision to leave Scarlet for a better offer at Pinstripe was a surprising one, it's impossible to deny that he more than deserved the promotion.
7 Deserved More: Ryan Decker
As Jane's love interest from the very beginning of the series, it was clear that Ryan was a character who would be around for a long time. Though their relationship was on and off over the course of the series, Ryan was shown to clearly love Jane, even choosing her over work obligations time and again.
But in the fourth season, everything changed when it was revealed during his book tour, Ryan cheated on Jane. It was a confusing choice for the character, who had grown from his playboy ways, and it was a disappointing end to his character that even cast members have criticized.
6 Fitting: Jane Sloan
When it seemed as if Jane was being thrust unceremoniously into the role of editor in chief of Scarlet, The Bold Type came very close to jumping the shark territory - which is saying something for a show that has as many outlandish stories as this one.
Yet the reveal that Jane was not only turning down the position, but leaving Scarlet entirely in order to travel the world and write about her experiences is one of the finale's most satisfying moments. Jane is a character who has always been too bound by convention; it represents a refreshing change of pace for her to finally do something for herself for once.
5 Deserved More: Oliver Grayson
Admittedly, there's nothing wrong with Oliver's ending. Scarlet's expert stylist has seemingly reconciled with his once lost love, Jasper, who had previously struggled with addiction. He's also still maintaining a loving relationship with their daughter, Carly.
The problem with his ending is in how it is handled - namely, it isn't handled at all until the very end. Oliver is a character who - despite being a series regular - never received adequate attention and development. Particularly in his roles as a single father, and a proud gay black man, Oliver deserved much more.
4 Fitting: Richard Hunter
Richard is a character that has wonderfully subverted expectations from the very beginning of the series. Time and again, he puts Sutton's needs and desires above his own, proving that he never once takes her or their relationship for granted.
Though the two briefly separate following a heated debate regarding having children, Richard ultimately makes the bold and deeply romantic decision to prioritize a life with Sutton over having any children on his own. He might have made a great father, but life with Sutton is the happy ending Richard has always wanted.
3 Deserved More: Kat Edison
There's no denying that Kat Edison has easily the most shocking ending of all the main characters. Over the span of less than three episodes, Kat goes from bartender, to unemployed activist, to editor in chief of Scarlet Magazine.
Maybe there was a future where Kat's promotion to the role would make sense, after her return to the fold at Scarlet with her #DontTurnAway vertical. But instead, her ascension to the top of the magazine's ranks makes absolutely no sense, especially given her contentious background with the magazine's board of directors.
2 Fitting: Sutton Brady-Hunter
More than any other character in the series, Sutton Brady-Hunter is forced to go through painful story after painful story in the series' final few seasons. Though most of them are haphazardly handled - including a miscarriage, a separation, alcoholism, and the decision to begin therapy - it's clear that Sutton is more in need of a win than most when the series ends.
Thankfully, the end of the series more than delivers. Sutton is not only thriving in her career as a stylist, she also reconciles with the self-professed love of her life, her husband Richard, and the two appear to be on stronger, more honest footing than ever when the series ends.
1 Deserved More: Jacqueline Carlyle
At its core, The Bold Type positions itself as a feminist series. Arguably the strongest testament to that fact is in its depiction of Scarlet's editor-in-chief, Jacqueline Carlyle. Jacqueline is a tough but supportive boss, a loving wife and mother, and an inspiration to everyone she meets.
But at series' end, at the drop of a hat, Jacqueline decides to leave Scarlet behind, and in the hands of the much-too-young trio at the heart of the series. Jacqueline's retirement might have been the ultimate goal of the series if it had run longer, but in its shortened run, the decision feels rushed and disappointing.
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