Netflix is diving headfirst into the competitive YA arena with its latest series, Crew Girl, set to premiere on September 10. The eight-episode show aims to capture the same magic that has made Prime Video a powerhouse for teen dramas like The Summer I Turned Pretty and We Were Liars. But Netflix isn't just playing catch-up—it's bringing a fresh twist to the genre with a story centered on rowing, scandal, and a classic love triangle.
The series follows 16-year-old Teagan (Miku Martineau), whose life is turned upside down when her family gets caught in a scandal that forces them to relocate to the East Coast. Forced to leave behind her rising status in single sculls rowing, Teagan enrolls at Easton Prep, a prestigious school dripping with old money and cutthroat competition. The catch? Easton Prep doesn't have a girls' rowing team. If Teagan wants to keep pursuing her passion, she'll have to train and compete with the boys—a move that turns her into a spectacle among the elite student body.
This setup is ripe for drama. The boys' team is led by an arrogant captain, Josh Regis (Sam Braun), who clashes with Teagan's determination. Meanwhile, Cam Dillinger (Kyle Clark), the quiet and overlooked local, emerges as the team's unsung hero. Naturally, Teagan finds herself caught in a love triangle between these two very different young men—a classic YA trope that promises plenty of tension and heartache.
Vivian Lin serves as showrunner for Crew Girl, bringing her vision to a story that blends the prestige of Gossip Girl with the underdog spirit of Off Campus and the boarding school intrigue of Maxton Hall. The cast also includes Jessica Paré and Thomas Cadrot in supporting roles, adding depth to the world of Easton Prep.
Netflix has a strong track record with teen dramas like Outer Banks, Heartstopper, and Ginny & Georgia, but many of those shows are winding down. Crew Girl feels like a strategic move to fill that gap, targeting the same audience that made Prime Video's YA slate a hit. The series also taps into the growing trend of book-to-screen adaptations, though Crew Girl is an original concept—for now.
For fans of shows like Prime Video's 'Cross', which delivers gritty thrills, Crew Girl offers a lighter but equally compelling escape. And if you're still mourning the cancellation of Netflix's 'Lockwood & Co.', this new series might just fill that void with its mix of ambition and heart.
With its September 10 premiere, Crew Girl is poised to become the next binge-worthy obsession for YA fans. Whether Teagan will find her place on the boys' team, navigate her family's troubles, or choose between Josh and Cam remains to be seen—but one thing's for sure: this is a race worth watching.
