People crave emotional connection to the product.
EXPERT OPINION BY MARC BERMAN, FOUNDER AND EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PROGRAMMING INSIDER
Aug 6, 2026
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Given the success of Virgin River, it comes as no surprise that Netflix would look to develop another emotionally driven sudser — this time targeted toward younger audiences. The lesson applies far beyond entertainment: the success of any content strategy, product, or business often depends on recognizing the value of diversification. The companies that thrive are the ones that continue evolving. Never rest on your laurels.
Today, as My Life With the Walter Boys launches its third season, the series has evolved from a typical teen drama filled with angst into a valuable piece of Netflix’s broader franchise strategy. Based on Ali Novak’s bestselling 2014 novel, the series first arrived in December 2023 and quickly connected with viewers through a familiar but powerful premise: a teenager forced to rebuild her life after devastating loss while trying to find belonging in an unfamiliar world.
At the center of the show’s universe is one of the most compelling elements of any long-running drama: a love triangle that keeps viewers emotionally invested. Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez) finds herself caught between two very different brothers — the rebellious and complicated Cole Walter (Noah LaLonde) and the dependable, thoughtful Alex Walter (Ashby Gentry). Their relationships with Jackie create the emotional tension that drives much of the series, giving audiences a reason to debate, choose sides, and stay invested season after season.
Are you in Camp Cole or Camp Alex?
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The power of emotional connection
On the surface, My Life With the Walter Boys fits the coming-of-age genre. But its appeal extends beyond teenage audiences because its themes are built around experiences that are universal: grief, reinvention, uncertainty, and finding a place where you belong.
Case in point: this writer, who is at an age where the assumption is that the ideal viewing choice involves a mystery, a murder investigation, and preferably a dead body or two, became completely invested in this fictional family.
The lesson for any business leader or entrepreneur: never assume you know exactly who your customer is.
