Netflix has a habit of breaking hearts. It’s basically their brand at this point. One minute you're getting cozy with a new sitcom, and the next, it’s gone into the digital ether. When we look back at the cast of Pretty Smart, it’s hard not to feel a little robbed. The show was a classic "fish out of water" setup—a Harvard-educated intellectual named Chelsea forced to move in with her bubbly sister and three roommates who, on the surface, seem a bit... well, less than academic.
It was light. It was colorful. Honestly, it was the exact kind of "comfort watch" people needed in 2021. But the show was canceled after just ten episodes, leaving us on a massive cliffhanger that we're still kind of salty about. Why did it fail? It wasn't because of the talent. The cast of Pretty Smart featured some of the most reliable comedic actors in the business, many of whom have gone on to prove exactly why they were cast in the first place.
The Academic Anchor: Emily Osment as Chelsea
If you grew up in the mid-2000s, Emily Osment is basically royalty. You know her as Lilly from Hannah Montana. But in Pretty Smart, she had to pivot. She played Chelsea, the high-brow, slightly judgmental writer who moves to Los Angeles after being dumped by her boyfriend.
Osment is a pro at the "straight man" routine. She has this specific way of delivering deadpan lines that makes the chaos around her even funnier. Since the show ended, Osment hasn't slowed down. She moved straight into Young Sheldon, playing Mandy McAllister. It’s a very different vibe—more grounded, more dramatic—but it shows her range. Chelsea was rigid and uptight; Mandy is a woman dealing with the realities of an unplanned pregnancy and a complicated family dynamic. It’s interesting to see how Osment can shift from the broad comedy of a multi-cam sitcom to something with a bit more grit.
Gregg Sulkin and the "Dumb Jock" Subversion
Then there’s Gregg Sulkin. He played Grant, the trainer who was also the ex-boyfriend of Chelsea's sister. On paper, Grant is the stereotypical "himbo." He’s handsome, he’s obsessed with fitness, and he’s not exactly reading Nietzsche in his spare time.
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But Sulkin brought a weirdly wholesome energy to the role. He wasn't just a caricature. There was a genuine sweetness to Grant that made the romantic tension with Chelsea feel earned rather than forced. Sulkin was already a veteran of the teen drama world—you might remember him from Marvel's Runaways or Faking It.
After Pretty Smart got the axe, Sulkin leaned heavily into his own brand. He’s been active in the indie film scene and has a massive presence on social media. He’s one of those actors who understands that in 2026, being a "star" means more than just showing up on set; it’s about maintaining a connection with a global audience. He’s also been vocal about his fitness journey, basically living the life Grant would have lived if Grant had a massive YouTube following.
The Rest of the House: Claire, Solana, and Jayden
We can't talk about the cast of Pretty Smart without mentioning the heart of the house. Olivia Macklin played Claire, Chelsea’s sister. She was the polar opposite of Chelsea—a waitress with a heart of gold and a brain that functioned on a completely different frequency. Macklin has this incredible physical comedy style. She can say more with a confused squint than most actors can with a monologue.
Then you have the "healer" and the "influencer."
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Solana, played by Cinthya Carmona, was the resident spiritualist. Carmona brought a grounded, almost maternal energy to the group, which was necessary because Jayden was... a lot. Kevin Ng, who played Jayden, was the undisputed breakout star for many viewers. As an influencer who lived for the "likes," Jayden could have been incredibly annoying. Instead, Ng made him vulnerable. He was the comic relief, sure, but he also represented that very modern anxiety of needing external validation.
- Cinthya Carmona: Has since moved into more dramatic roles, appearing in projects like The Tax Collector.
- Kevin Ng: Continues to work in both television and theatre, bringing a high-energy performance style to everything he touches.
- Olivia Macklin: Appeared in Great Works and has become a go-to for character-driven comedy.
The Cliffhanger That Will Never Be Resolved
Here is the thing that really stings. The first season ended with Chelsea and Grant finally about to kiss, only for Claire to walk in and announce she still had feelings for him. It was a classic sitcom triangle. We were set up for a second season that would explore the friction between sisters—the intellectual vs. the emotional.
When Netflix cancels a show like this, they usually cite "low viewership" or "cost-to-engagement ratios." But for those of us who watched it, it felt like the show was just hitting its stride. The chemistry among the cast of Pretty Smart was palpable. It’s rare to find a group of five people who actually feel like they live together. Most sitcoms take three seasons to find that rhythm; this group had it by episode four.
Why Sitcoms Struggle on Streaming Platforms
There is a broader conversation to be had here about the death of the multi-cam sitcom. Shows like Friends or The Big Bang Theory worked because they had 22 episodes a year. They had time to breathe. You got to know the characters in the "filler" episodes.
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Streaming services like Netflix don't do filler. They do 8 to 10 episodes, and if the show isn't a global phenomenon like Stranger Things or Bridgerton within the first 28 days, it’s gone. The cast of Pretty Smart were victims of an algorithm that rewards immediate, massive scale over slow-burn loyalty.
Honestly? It's a shame. Sitcoms are meant to be background noise, comfort food, and something you put on while you're folding laundry. By demanding that every show be a "prestige" event, streamers are losing the very thing that made TV great in the first place: the ability to just hang out with characters you like.
Moving Forward: How to Follow the Cast
If you’re still missing the dynamic of the show, the best thing to do is follow the actors' current trajectories. They are all working, and many of them are taking on roles that are far removed from the sunny Los Angeles apartment of Pretty Smart.
- Watch Emily Osment in Young Sheldon (and its spinoffs). She has evolved into a powerhouse of comedic timing and emotional depth.
- Keep an eye on Cinthya Carmona's film work. She is leaning into more intense, gritty roles that showcase her versatility beyond the "zen roommate" trope.
- Follow Kevin Ng on social media. He remains one of the most charismatic performers out there, often sharing behind-the-scenes looks at the industry that are actually insightful.
The show might be over, but the talent is very much alive. The cast of Pretty Smart proved that you can take a relatively simple premise and turn it into something genuinely charming with the right chemistry. While we might never get that Season 2 resolution, we can at least appreciate the ten episodes we got. Sometimes, a short-lived show is better than one that overstays its welcome and loses its soul.
If you're looking for something similar to fill the void, check out Great News or Happy Endings. They share that same DNA of high-energy, ensemble-driven comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously but still manages to make you care about the people on screen.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the "More Like This" section on Netflix for Pretty Smart to find shows with similar creative teams, like Jack Dolgen or Doug Mand projects.
- Support the actors' newer projects on IMDb to help boost their "StarMeter," which actually influences casting decisions for future pilots.
- If you're a writer or creator, study the pilot episode of Pretty Smart for a masterclass in establishing five distinct character voices in under 22 minutes.