Ashby Gentry, Nikki Rodriguez, Noah LaLonde at Netflix’s “My Life with the Walter Boys” Photo Call held at the Netflix New York Office on August 27, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty Images)
Variety via Getty Images
Given the success of Virgin River, it’s no surprise Netflix went searching for another picturesque sudser. Only this time, instead of targeting older-skewing women, why not go for a teen melodrama in the spirit of Fox’s once-youth-drenched Party of Five?
Enter My Life with the Walter Boys. Though it launched back in December 2023 and is based on Ali Novak’s 2014 novel of the same name, I only recently discovered its first 10-episode season — and now I can’t get enough of the first two seasons. And for the record, I don’t exactly fit either of the target demographics — but that hasn’t stopped me from falling hard for this fictional family.
My Life with the Walter Boys isn’t just for teens — it’s for anyone who’s ever had to start over. Anyone who’s felt like the outsider. Anyone who’s been blindsided by grief and still found a way to move forward.
Perhaps Netflix’s My Life With the Walter Boys shouldn’t work as well as it does. It’s full of well-worn tropes: the fish-out-of-water teen, a sprawling family with too many names to remember, a will-they-won’t-they love triangle, and a whole lot of “Why didn’t you just text him back?” moments. And yet… it’s completely addictive.
The Scoop:
Nikki Rodriguez plays Jackie Howard, a 15-year-old girl uprooted from her privileged life in Manhattan after her parents and sister tragically die in a freak accident. She’s sent to live in rural Silver Falls, Colorado, with the Walter family — a boisterous “party of ten” that includes Will (Johnny Link), twins Cole (Noah LaLonde) and Danny (Connor Stanhope), Nathan (Corey Fogelmanis), Alex (Ashby Gentry), Isaac (Isaac Arellanes), Lee (Myles Vincent Perez), Jordan (Dean Petriw), Parker (Alix West Lefler), and 5-year-old Benny (Lennix James).
Midway through Season 1, Jackie finds herself caught in a classic teen love triangle between Cole — the brooding, blonde-haired hunk — and Alex, the sensitive, introspective type.
By the end of the freshman season, Jackie flees back to New York to clear her head. But she quickly realizes the city no longer feels like home without her family.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 27: Nikki Rodriguez attends Netflix’s “My Life With The Walter Boys” photo call on August 27, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Getty Images
A Return to the Walter Family
Now a “party of 11,” the Walter crew lives under the watchful (and warm) eyes of Katherine (Sarah Rafferty), who was best friends with Jackie’s late mother, and George (Marc Blucas), who’s struggling to keep the family’s land afloat. Think modern-day Carol and Mike Brady — with a whole lot more chaos, ranch drama, and emotional grounding. Sadly, there’s no Alice to keep the household in order!
While the series leans heavily on generic soapy plots and familiar character tropes, it makes up for it with heartfelt performances, sweeping family dynamics, and the breathtaking mountainous backdrop of Alberta, Canada. Every episode is a rollercoaster of teenage angst, romantic tension, and emotional discovery — and honestly, I’m here for it.
Sit Back and Dive into the Melodrama
If Party of Five gave us the blueprint for emotional sibling drama, and Virgin River reminded us how soothing small-town escapism can be, My Life with the Walter Boys lands comfortably in between. It’s heartwarming, heartbreaking, and yes, occasionally cheesy — but in the best possible way.
So go ahead: suspend your disbelief, dive into the drama, and get emotionally entangled with the Walter family. Just put aside several hours. One episode at a time is not enough.