So Awkward is a sitcom series on CBBC, following the lives of a group of friends in secondary school. It first premiered in May 2015, and ran until October 2020. It has successfully spawned two spin-off TV series and a movie-length special.
Introduction
Lily, Martha and Jas are teens trying to make sense of life, boys and fitting in, while coping with embarrassing parents and incompetent teachers. It is a drama series about three smart but socially awkward friends trying to make sense of life, boys and fitting in.
Episodes
| Series | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 13 | 21 May 2015 | 6 August 2015 | |
| 2 | 13 | 25 August 2016 | 17 November 2016 | |
| 3 | 13 | 31 August 2017 | 23 November 2017 | |
| 4 | 12 | 23 August 2018 | 8 November 2018 | |
| 5 | 13 | 12 September 2019 | 26 December 2019 | |
| 6 | 13 | 6 August 2020 | 22 October 2020 | |
Development
So Awkward originated in 2010 as a pilot script titled Rubbish at Boys, about three 16-year-old girls—a nerdy one, a crazy one, and one who wanted to get the boy. Creator Julie Bower and producer Sally Martin wanted to develop a sitcom focused on nerdy female characters rather than the usual portrayal of teenage girls as moody or fashion-obsessed. The goal was to create a fun, inclusive comedy with flawed but lovable protagonists who embraced their quirks.
Initially, the show underwent several concept changes, including making the characters older or adding a male lead. However, making them younger enhanced the humour — characters like a 12-year-old planning her UCAS application added a unique charm. This led to pitching the show to the CBBC Channel, where it evolved into So Awkward.
Bower didn’t base the characters directly on real people but saw parts of herself in Lily, Jas, and Martha. She shared Lily’s anxieties, Martha’s confusion about girly things, and, as an adult, related most to Jas. The show prioritises humour and character-driven storytelling rather than targeting a specific audience from the start.
Throughout its development, So Awkward aimed to avoid clichés like “b*tchy girl” narratives, keeping the world positive and grounded in reality. The show grew organically, with strong performances from the main and supporting cast. An episode was initially screened in December 2014 to a CBBC focus group, who confirmed its appeal, with one eight-year-old girl saying, “I like Martha because she is weird, and I am weird.”
So Awkward found a natural home on CBBC, where its tone and humour could flourish. The 13-episode commission allowed more time to establish the world and characters compared to similar shows for older audiences, which often had shorter runs.
Maintaining the integrity of the series and Bower’s original vision was a priority throughout production. The writing team worked to reflect her vision while also having the creative freedom to bring their own ideas to the show. The goal was to ensure a high-quality, character-driven series rather than a formulaic production process.
Reviews
Discussions about So Awkward often involve differing viewpoints among viewers and critics. Some feel the characters, particularly Lily, portray self-doubt and a striving for perfection in stereotypical ways, leading to a one-dimensional and sometimes uncomfortable viewing experience. However, others find the show relatable for teenagers and tweens, praising its well-crafted nature, even if not flawless.
According to Common Sense Media's Joyce Slaton, the show is rated 4 stars and appropriate for ages 10 and up. Positive role models, representation, and messaging are highlighted, along with surprisingly mild instances of sex and violence. The reviewer explains the violence as "very mild and of the comic variety," citing examples such as Ollie accidentally splashing water on Lily's brother and Jas and Martha using smoke bombs to try to get detention. Regarding the depiction of relationships, the review notes "age-appropriate discussion of crushes and dating," including an episode where Ollie seeks advice on pleasing girls, and Matt suggests acts of kindness like giving balloons and flowers and holding hands. The reviewer noted the absence of swearing, mentioning only a mild exclamation (Jas: "Oh, pants!") as the most intense language used. Similarly, parents on the site also gave positive feedback, awarding it a five-star rating instead of the four-star rating initially anticipated. One parent even reported that their nine-year-old and older children rated it five stars.
IMDb rates the show 9.4 out of 10, the helpful review stating that it offers valuable life lessons for children, features likable characters, and boasts a well-written script reminiscent of 2000s television. The reviewer concludes that it's a very good and refreshing show, much needed in the decade.
Awards
So Awkward won the Best Comedy award at the 2018 BAFTA Children's Awards. It also received a nomination for the BAFTA British Academy Children's Award, though it did not win. The show did win a Broadcast Award; the judges praised its appeal to a slightly older CBBC audience, with one judge favorably comparing it to the BBC Three comedy series Some Girls. While the themes and characters are geared toward the target CBBC audience, the sophisticated and intelligent tone elevated the show.