The Carrie Diaries

:

Season 1
Season #: 2, 1
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 4 out of 23
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Stream On

Critic Reviews

  1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Jan 14, 2013
    75
    The CW's attempt to capture the magic of "Sex and the City" in a prequel, set in 1984, could have gone very wrong. But The Carrie Diaries is surprisingly right.
  2. Hitfix
    Reviewed by: Alan Sepinwall
    Jan 14, 2013
    75
    The new series succeeds on its own nostalgic terms.
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Leah Greenblatt
    Jan 11, 2013
    75
    [AnnaSophia Robb is] compelling, and the show has a sweetly corny charm. [18 Jan 2013, p.71]
    All this critic's reviews
  5. Zap2it (Inside the Box)
    Reviewed by: Rick Porter
    Jan 14, 2013
    70
    Through its first three episodes, The Carrie Diaries works quite well as a coming-of-age story, thanks in no small part to Robb's winning performance and a pretty solid cast of young actors around her.
  6. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Jan 14, 2013
    70
    The situations are stock--John Hughes wrote this playbook pretty thoroughly--and the dialogue does not exactly crackle. But it is all well-staged and believably played and at times it becomes quite lyrical and, even, moving.
  7. Salon
    Reviewed by: Willa Paskin
    Jan 14, 2013
    70
    Unlike the teenagers on the show it replaces on the CW schedule, "Gossip Girl," the characters on The Carrie Diaries are neither disturbingly precocious nor voracious, instead working a welcome John Hughes vibe.
  8. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Jan 14, 2013
    70
    They are real people with plausible emotions. And in the hands of Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl, The O.C.), Amy Harris (Gossip Girl), Bushnell and two other executive producers from the CW's Hart of Dixie, the storytelling has a chance to be handled maturely.
  9. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Jan 14, 2013
    70
    It's a step above the typical CW soap, and worth penciling in an appointment in your own TV diary.
  10. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Jan 11, 2013
    70
    This is a different series, one whose good start has to do with its capacity to be affecting, which it is in its picture of loss and longing--a sense this young Carrie projects persuasively.
  11. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Jan 11, 2013
    70
    Pleasant surprise, The Carrie Diaries's premiere episode is a nimble and entertaining trip back to Carrie Bradshaw's high school years.
  12. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Jan 11, 2013
    67
    Mostly boilerplate teen soap that lacks the (umm) zest of "Sex and the City"--a good thing, in case you're wondering.

Awards & Rankings

61
#61 Most Discussed TV Season of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 70
  3. Negative: 9 out of 70
  1. Hipsteran
    Jan 17, 2013
    10
    Carrie Diaries is a show that makes you think you're watching a John Hughes movie. A show that features 80s fashion, music and NYC is reallyCarrie Diaries is a show that makes you think you're watching a John Hughes movie. A show that features 80s fashion, music and NYC is really charming. It definitely doesn't look like a SATC prequel, but its fun to watch a teen show with promising nostalgia.… Full Review »
  2. aev
    Jan 30, 2013
    10
    When I saw the commercials for it I thought that it would be terrible, but I decided to give it a chance anyways. While watching the firstWhen I saw the commercials for it I thought that it would be terrible, but I decided to give it a chance anyways. While watching the first episode, I fell completely in love with it. It really doesn't have that much to do with Sex and the City besides the location which is what I think makes it a great show. I would recommend everyone to give it a try as long as they have an open mind and dont try to compare it to Sex and the City.… Full Review »
  3. seawolves
    Jan 20, 2013
    10
    I thought the shop was adorable and muchly needed. As a fan of Sex and the city I missed seeing a show with a womans voice around. I loved theI thought the shop was adorable and muchly needed. As a fan of Sex and the city I missed seeing a show with a womans voice around. I loved the opportunity to see where she came from and to see her grow and form into who she was in Sex & the City. Though heaps of critics are unsure about AnnaSophia Robb I think she is just sweet and innocent enough to play the role of Carrie. I'm excited to see what it brings and I truly didn't want episode one to end. It made me feel like a child again and I loved the John Hughes feel to it. It's exciting and dynamic and the characters have depth to them. Can't wait to see more.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »