Looking for a new show to devour this weekend? Netflix has you covered. All three seasons of The Sex Lives of College Girls just landed on the streaming giant, and it's the ideal candidate for a lazy Saturday marathon. Think of it as Sex and the City for a younger generation—same focus on friendship, romance, and self-discovery, but set in a Vermont dorm instead of a Manhattan brunch spot.
What Is The Sex Lives of College Girls About?
Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, the comedy follows four freshman suitemates at the fictional Essex College. There's Leighton Murray (Reneé Rapp), a wealthy legacy student grappling with her sexuality; Bela Malhotra (Amrit Kaur), an aspiring comedian with a voracious appetite for life; Whitney Chase (Alyah Chanelle Scott), a soccer star and politician's daughter; and Kimberly Finkle (Pauline Chalamet), a naive scholarship kid trying to make ends meet. In season 3, Gracie Lawrence joins as Kacey Baker, a transfer student who followed her boyfriend to campus.
The ensemble also features a rotating cast of memorable side characters, including Ilia Isorelýs Paulino (One Piece), Mekki Leeper (St. Denis Medical), Gavin Leatherwood (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), and Midori Francis (Grey's Anatomy). Over time, these co-workers, teammates, and dormmates weave into a tight-knit social circle as the four leads grow closer.
A Spiritual Successor to Sex and the City
Like Sex and the City, The Sex Lives of College Girls centers on four distinct women navigating love, work, and identity. But while Carrie Bradshaw and her friends started as established New Yorkers, Kaling and Noble wanted to show the messy beginnings of friendship. "We wanted to do four people who would have never been friends with each other and see how they warm up to each other," Kaling told Entertainment Tonight.
The show uses humor to tackle serious issues—sexual assault, mental health, financial insecurity, fertility, and breakups—much like its predecessor did with cancer and divorce. But the college setting makes the characters' reckless decisions feel earned, fueled by newfound freedom and responsibility. Instead of Mr. Big, there's a revolving door of love interests; instead of Manolos, there's the constant stress of tuition bills.
Why It's the Perfect Weekend Binge
Despite its abrupt cancellation after three seasons, the series wraps up without major cliffhangers, leaving its leads in a satisfying place. Episodes run about 30 minutes, making it easy to power through in a couple of days. And with its recent addition to Netflix, a whole new audience can discover it—just like they did with another Carrie-inspired binge.
The show isn't without flaws—its rotating cast meant losing key characters like Rapp's Leighton, which shifted the group dynamic. But the sharp writing and emotional depth remained intact. As Kaling noted, the series captures "authentic friendships between women," and that's what keeps viewers coming back.
If you're in the mood for a smart, sexy comedy about finding your people, The Sex Lives of College Girls is your next watch. And if you need more weekend viewing ideas, check out our list of YA novels you'll devour in two days or see what's topping the Netflix charts.
