Is The Next Step woke?
The Next Step (2013)
TV Show
Released: January 1, 2013
Wokeness Score
7/10
Strongly Ideological
Woke messaging is very prominent and often feels forced or shoehorned in. Characters and plot are primarily shaped to serve the ideology. Many viewers feel the agenda overshadows the entertainment.
Key Summary Points
- Season 7 features first same-sex kiss between Jude and Cleo, celebrated as historic LGBTQ+ representation on CBBC.
- Producers and BBC explicitly cited need to 'reflect LGBTQ+ lives' and promote belonging as rationale for the storyline.
- Earlier seasons limited to brief non-physical gay characters; later emphasis on queer romance feels agenda-driven.
Wokeness Analysis
The Next Step centers on competitive dance at a Canadian studio, following A-Troupe members through rivalries, auditions, and performances in a mockumentary style. Its core appeal lies in dance sequences, teen drama, friendships, and romance. However, starting prominently in season 7 (2020), the series introduced intentional LGBTQ+ storylines, including a developing romantic relationship between female characters Jude and Cleo that culminates in the show's first same-sex kiss during a duet performance to 'Brave.' This moment was explicitly framed by producers and broadcaster CBBC as a deliberate effort to increase representation of LGBTQ+ youth, with statements emphasizing the need to 'reflect the lives of LGBTQ+ young people' and ensure 'every child feels like they belong.' Prior seasons featured only brief, non-physical gay male characters. The kiss drew over 100 complaints from viewers concerned about its appropriateness for a children's audience but received widespread praise from advocacy groups like Stonewall for advancing 'understanding of what it means to be lesbian.' Executive producers have discussed expanding diversity in casting and stories, including openness to non-binary or trans characters, aligning with progressive priorities on inclusion. While early seasons focus primarily on dance competition and interpersonal conflicts without overt ideology, the later addition of same-sex romance shifts emphasis toward social messaging on identity and acceptance. This progression makes woke elements prominent and intentional rather than organic or incidental, subordinating entertainment value for some viewers who view the storyline as shoehorned to serve contemporary cultural agendas. The show's longevity and international broadcast on CBBC amplified its role in normalizing such themes for young audiences.
Plot
The Next Step is a Canadian teen drama series that follows a group of young dancers at The Next Step Dance Studio as they train, audition, and compete in regional, national, and international championships. Presented in a mockumentary format with confessional interviews, the show blends high-energy dance routines with storylines involving rivalries between dance studios, leadership changes, personal insecurities, romantic entanglements, and team dynamics. Core characters navigate cliques, betrayals, crushes, and the pressures of performance while striving for success on the A-Troupe competitive team. The series ran for 10 seasons from 2013 to 2025, emphasizing themes of belonging, perseverance, and friendship amid competitive environments.