The loss of two main characters leaves a hole in the show that is hard to replace, despite the show’s wit and spice
“The Sex Lives of College Girls” has returned with a third season, but it’s not the same show I once loved. Mindy Kaling, known for her role as Kelly Kapoor in “The Office,” as well as the co-creator of “Never Have I Ever,” has made a witty and somewhat accurate depiction of young women figuring out their place in college.
Don’t get me wrong, this show is still a classic comedy-drama that will continue to make me laugh. However, knowing that Reneé Rapp – who played Leighton Murray – and Midori Francis – who played Alicia – were leaving the show at the beginning of season 3, my standards were significantly lowered.
At the beginning of the series, Leighton was a closeted lesbian who everyone assumed was straight. She eventually came out to her friends and became a lesbian icon that television has desperately needed. While the show has remained the same in terms of humor and plot, it’s difficult to keep the series how it once was when a main character decides to exit the show.
Announcing her departure from the show in a post on X, Rapp said that she left to focus on her music, but that the character of Leighton will always contribute to who she is as a person.
“Playing Leighton has changed my life,” Rapp said. “I love who I am 10x more than I did before knowing her. I hope she gave y’all a little bit of that too.”
“The Sex Lives of College Girls” has certainly felt Rapp’s absence from the show in season 3, but the actress and character have left a lasting imprint on how queer women are portrayed on television.
As a character, Leighton defied the social norms of how queer women are portrayed in media – specifically by the femininity she expressed. Following the start of the show, Rapp publicly announced that she – just like Leighton – was also lesbian.
“It is so interesting that at the time I wasn’t even aware that what I was experiencing in my own personal life was actually exactly what I was doing on screen,” Rapp said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
The characters that remain, however, include Kimberly Finkle, played by Pauline Chalamet, Bela Malhotra, played by Amrit Kaur and Whitney Chase, played by Alyah Chanelle Scott. In addition, essentially replacing Leighton, is Kacey, played by Gracie Lawrence.
In my opinion, Kimberly is a character with an acquired taste. I needed the first two seasons to adjust to her big personality. Season 3 came with a much-needed character development for Kimberly, which I believe is partly because the girls as a group were no longer first-year students.
Whitney, my personal favorite now that Leighton has exited, has also matured a lot this season, not only in her romantic life but with her mental health as well. Whitney is the first character in the show who has anxiety, and the authentic portrayal may help show college students having similar experiences that they’re not alone.
While the show hasn’t yet been renewed for a fourth season, it has potential. The showrunner, Justin Noble, mentioned in an interview that there still are lots of plotlines and story development left to explore.
Whether or not Kaling and Noble decide to pursue a fourth season, “The Sex Lives of College Girls” will always be one of those nostalgic shows for me to rewatch. While it’s not entirely realistic in its portrayal of college life, there are definitely relatable moments in the series that encourage me to branch out in my college experience. After all, you only live once.
Edited by Alyssa Royston | aroyston@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Amelia Schaefer and Natalie Kientzy |nkientzy@themaneater.com
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