
Season 1 of Netflix’s ‘Pretty Smart’ Brings on the Charm
Photo courtesy of Netflix.
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD.
Pretty Smart is a sitcom that premiered on Netflix on October 8, 2021. The series follows booksmart and witty Chelsea (Emily Osment) who moves in with her not-so-bright sister, Claire (Olivia Macklin), and her 3 roommates: Grant (Gregg Sulkin), Solana (Cinthya Carmona), and Jayden (Michael Hsu Rosen). The sitcom was created by Jack Dolgen and Doug Mand. I decided to binge the entire first season. Here are my thoughts.
I remember browsing on Netflix one day like I normally do on a fairly consistent basis and coming across this series. It was just the trailer but what really hooked me in was Emily Osment and Gregg Sulkin being in the same show. My childhood has come back to me. If you don’t know, Osment starred as Lily Truscott in the Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana, and Sulkin starred as Mason Greyback in another Disney Channel show, Wizards of Waverly Place.
The characters are so charming and funny. Chelsea is a writer, Claire works as a server, Grant is a personal trainer, Solana is a healer and former lawyer, and Jayden is an Instagram influencer.
I particularly loved Solana and Grant. If I had to pick my favorite favorite out of the two, I would pick Solana. Carmona portrayed her so well. I loved her personality so much. I loved Grant as well. He was just easily likable (abs and all).
I really enjoyed the dynamic between this group of characters. The chemistry was clearly there and they were just entertaining to watch when they interacted with each other.
The season starts with Claire and Grant broken up. Yeah, did I mention that they’re also roommates? Awkward. Somewhere along the way, we find out that they both still have feelings for each other at different times which causes awkward tension between them.
Grant and Chelsea have immediate chemistry and an electric connection as soon as they meet. I’m bummed with the cliffhanger and for those of you who have watched the entire season already, you already know what I’m talking about. This goes for the Grant and Chelsea fans out there.
It’s frustrating to me and I have plausible theories on what could happen if we get another season but I’m not sharing them because I don’t want to spoil anything.
I enjoyed the story of 20 somethings trying to live their lives in the 21st century. I liked the Jayden was an influencer because it is such a common career now with social media taking over the world even more. The character does show the toll it can take on someone.
I liked that it was a sitcom because there aren’t many sitcoms being made these days. It takes me back to shows like Friends with the laugh track playing in the background. It’s very nostalgic.
I hope the show gets renewed for a season 2. I want to see Grant and Chelsea together. I need to see what’s going to happen after that cliffhanger.
Pretty Smart is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Creators: Jack Dolgen, Doug Mand
Cast: Emily Osment, Gregg Sulkin, Cinthya Carmona, Olivia Macklin, Michael Hsu Rosen
Producers: Chris Arrington, Caitlin Meares

