Following two successful seasons airing on television, MTV’s Faking It has been keeping fans on their toes with its third season currently airing on the network.
Much to the acclaim of critics and viewers alike, the teen sitcom has created waves of excitement ever since its pilot episode aired in 2014.
The show follows the lives of Karma (Katie Stevens) and Amy (Rita Volk), two best friends who have been inseparable since they can remember. Problem is, Karma is head set on blending into the in crowd… and Amy? Well, she’d do anything for her best friend.
Anything including faking her sexual orientation in order to climb the social ladder at a progressive American high school. The two girls face many obstacles as the new “it” lesbian couple, but also as two teenagers finding their feet. Liam Booker (Gregg Sulkin) and Shane Harvey (Michael J. Willett) are also along for the ride, as the two mates who form an unlikely group of friends with newcomers Karma and Amy.
In the third season, Faking It fans are sure to be surprised, after Amy returns from her holiday away from Karma. Distance and time can do a lot to a friendship — even one as strong as the girls’.
At first glance, the premise of the show — two girls pretending to be a part of a marginalised group for their social status — seems insulting to said community. However, as the show progresses, the characters begin to realise that sexuality is more than just a joke, a tool to climb the social ladder — it is an integral part of life, and is nothing to be ashamed of.
But it isn’t just the feel-good plot that has many hooked every week. (Though, it is entertaining.)
Faking It has taken “typical teen romcom” and transformed it into something bigger than simply a television show. The MTV feature probes at otherwise underrepresented issues and controversies that would usually send Hollywood producers running.
LGBTQ issues are presented in a way that viewers can understand and be interested in. Commonly mis- or underrepresented members of the LGBTQ community are given airtime, which is otherwise unavailable in an industry dominated by typically cisgender, heterosexual individuals.
In fact, the show features the first ever intersex character in a main role. In several episodes, a bisexual character is introduced and, while not yet explained, Amy explores her sexuality beyond the gay/straight binary.
Bailey De Young, who plays Lauren, the queen bee who only recently revealed she is intersex, responded to a question concerning the lack of representation of the intersex community in film and television:
“Unfortunately, intersex conditions haven’t really been openly talked about — sadly, there has been an element of taboo.”
De Young continued by saying that this taboo element has led to a “lack of awareness, education and understanding.”
“I hope that “Faking It” has helped demystify it a little bit and clarify myths and misconceptions, and there will be many characters and stories told in the future.”
Moreover, Faking It hints at racial issues, though not as directly as LGBTQ issues. Comments from the main characters acknowledging white privilege will hopefully lead to more substantial analysis of race further on in the series.
Two strong lead women and their supporting characters pave the way for social awareness, empathy and also the important lesson of self-love. Self-care is a relatively new element to the show, but also one of the most important ones.
As Faking It returns to television with its third season, be sure to watch along!
Who's excited to watch @mtvfakingit tonight?!!!
— Gregg Sulkin (@greggsulkin) April 12, 2016
The real question is: who isn’t excited?
Are you a fan of Faking It? Drop us a line at @CelebMix on Twitter or comment below!
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