‘Girlboss’ Is One of Netflix’s Best Shows Despite Its Swift Cancellation

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Despite being initially panned by critics, one Netflix series is actually a hidden gem that deserves another look, even nine years after its release. Premiering in 2017, the show had a lot going for it: it was written by someone from Pitch Perfect, produced by Charlize Theron, and starred an actress who’d worked with major stars like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston. The series was also groundbreaking for its time, focusing on a woman determined to define herself, rather than be known only as someone’s partner.

The series flopped immediately, with critics calling it everything from self-absorbed to simply awful. Netflix canceled it after just two months, leaving the actors and creators without a chance to make another season. Over time, it was quickly overshadowed by Netflix’s many successes – shows like Stranger Things, Squid Game, Bridgerton, and The Night Agent became huge hits thanks to their compelling stories and talented performers, setting a high standard for streaming content. However, it’s time to reconsider this overlooked series, which was unfairly dismissed by many. It’s actually one of Netflix’s best original shows, and even after almost a decade, it still deserves more attention – and a second season.

Sorry, Haters: ‘Girlboss’ Is Actually One of Netflix’s Best Originals


Netflix

Okay, so Girlboss wasn’t a Netflix masterpiece, let’s be real. But as a movie and TV fan, I think it did something really interesting, even now in 2026. It put a flawed, genuinely unlikable woman front and center. I suspect that’s why a lot of people who stumbled upon it back in 2017 didn’t give it a chance. Seeing a female character be openly awful was just too much for them to process. It’s crazy when you think about it – Simon from Bridgerton straight-up lied about being able to have kids, and those Squid Game guys were casually killing people! But those guys get a pass, racking up millions of views. A woman acts badly, though? Immediately canceled. It’s a double standard, plain and simple.

The Netflix series Girlboss follows Sophia Marlowe, a somewhat lost 23-year-old who initially comes across as spoiled. The first episode alone sees her getting fired, shoplifting, and getting evicted! Despite her rough start, Sophia’s story is surprisingly inspiring. Girlboss isn’t just a retelling of Sophia Amoruso’s life – the founder of Nasty Gal – it’s a clever and funny look at a woman forging her own path. It’s a celebration of creative people who don’t want a typical life, and a reminder that growing up doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams. And that’s only the beginning of why it’s worth watching.

The show Girlboss features excellent acting across the board, from its main stars to its supporting cast. Cole Escola, a Tony Award winner, is particularly captivating as the endearing art student Nathan, and Melanie Lynskey delivers a standout performance as the rigid eBay rival Gail – a performance that rightly earned her Emmy nominations for her later roles in Yellowjackets and The Last of Us. RuPaul is incredibly funny as Sophia’s neighbor, Lionel, and Alice Ripley gives a powerful performance in a later episode that explains Sophia’s character. However, if viewers only watch the beginning and dismiss Girlboss because its main character is flawed, they’ll miss the characters who ultimately help her mature and evolve.


Netflix

Let me reiterate: this show is genuinely hilarious. Creator Kay Cannon has a fantastic comedic background, having written for hits like Pitch Perfect, New Girl, and 30 Rock. The show is full of quotable lines – one character quips, “I’ve seen better clothes at a Rite Aid!” – and skillfully blends these funny moments with real, emotional drama. We truly get to know Sophia, but are often shocked by her actions, which feels realistic because personal growth isn’t always smooth. As RuPaul’s character puts it, we see “the ups and downs of Miss Sophia,” making the show feel relatable and true to life.

The show has a fun, retro feel, starting in San Francisco in 2006 and spanning two years of the main character Sophia’s life (with helpful flashbacks). The creators fill the episodes with lots of pop culture references from that era, giving viewers a clear sense of the time period and Sophia’s experiences. The show is full of vibrant city life and has a bright, sunny California aesthetic. Even though Sophia sometimes struggles to find her place, Girlboss is self-aware and confident in its own identity, which makes for an enjoyable and ultimately fulfilling story.

The show truly shines thanks to Robertson and her co-star, Ellie Reed, who share a believable and heartwarming connection as Sophia and Annie, portraying a genuine sense of sisterhood. While Girlboss doesn’t avoid the ups and downs of female friendships, it focuses more on the positive impact women can have when they support each other and take control of their own narratives. This message feels especially relevant today, with current events and political decisions increasingly resembling a dystopian novel. Considering job losses due to tariffs and the rise of AI, Girlboss offers a crucial reminder – much like Sam Raimi’s Send Help – that if you want to improve your life, you’ll likely need to take matters into your own hands.

A Second Season of ‘Girlboss’ Would Be Explosive for One Key Reason


Netflix

The quick downfall of the show Girlboss wasn’t Sophia Amoruso’s only struggle in 2017, and that’s why a second season would have been a natural fit. Amoruso turned her eBay store, Nasty Gal Vintage, into a $350 million company by age 30. However, by 32, she faced a divorce, and the company eventually went bankrupt after years of layoffs and legal issues. Her rapid success was followed by a dramatic fall, turning the term “Girlboss” into a symbol of failure rather than achievement. Since the first season ended optimistically – with Sophia opening her own store after being banned from eBay – the real-life challenges Amoruso faced could have made for compelling storylines in a second or even third season, as the show’s creator had suggested. A time jump could have shown Sophia’s journey from a run-down warehouse to leading a large team in a real office, and then explored the difficulties of being the boss she’d always wanted to be – ultimately leading to a devastating downfall where she lost everything.

Taking the story in this direction would make Season 2 much more intense than the first, and could even appeal to viewers who wouldn’t mind seeing Sophia face consequences for her behavior. Beyond providing strong roles for the actors, Sophia’s journey—her successes and failures—could be genuinely inspiring for aspiring entrepreneurs, showing them the realities of starting and running a business. Ultimately, that’s what Girlboss is about: encouraging people to pursue their passions and grow, even when things get tough. While shows like Bridgerton and Squid Game are fun to watch, Girlboss offers practical lessons about achieving financial independence. It’s a reminder that anything is possible, and I’d be fascinated to see how a difficult Season 2 would challenge Sophia, especially if she viewed Nasty Gal’s potential downfall as a personal defeat.

Fortunately, Sophia Amoruso, the person behind the story, doesn’t agree with the negative portrayal in the show. She told InStyle that the opening line, ‘Adulthood is where dreams go to die,’ resonated with her then and still does. However, she also believes that true growth comes from letting go of what we think defines us and success, allowing us to learn, love more fully, and achieve greater things. After losing her Nasty Gal business, Amoruso created a new media company focused on helping women redefine success, and started Trust Fund, a venture fund supporting new businesses. She also launched Business Class, a program to help entrepreneurs turn ideas into profits, and invested in companies like Lovable AI and Liquid Death, along with over 40 other startups. Amoruso has demonstrated incredible resilience, proving she’s a survivor, just like many of the ‘girlbosses’ depicted in film and television. It’s a shame the Netflix series wasn’t given the opportunity to showcase that same strength.




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2026-02-28 19:19