My Mad Fat Diary: Streaming, Cast, and Why It Ended

There’s something about a diary that feels both private and universal – especially when someone else’s teenage scribbles turn into a cult TV show. My Mad Fat Diary, which debuted on E4 on 14 January 2013, is based on the actual diaries of Rae Earl from the mid-1990s.

Seasons: 3 · Episodes: 21 · Original Network: E4 · Based on: Real diaries by Rae Earl · Aired: 2013–2015

Six facts you need to know about My Mad Fat Diary:

Where can I watch My Mad Fat Diary?

The series is not on Netflix in the UK or US as of 2025, but you do have two solid options – one free with ads, one available with a Prime subscription.

Is My Mad Fat Diary on Prime Video?

Yes, all three seasons are currently available on Amazon Prime Video in the UK. You can stream them as part of a Prime subscription or purchase individual episodes (Amazon Prime Video (UK streaming service)).

Is My Mad Fat Diary on All 4?

The full series is also available on Channel 4’s free streaming service All 4, supported by adverts (Channel 4 (original broadcaster)). A promotional clip on All 4’s YouTube channel confirms the series was promoted on that platform (All 4 YouTube promo).

The bottom line: If you’re in the UK, fire up All 4 or Prime Video. Outside the UK, digital purchase may be your only reliable option.

Is My Mad Fat Diary on Netflix?

It is not currently on Netflix in the UK or the US, and there is no word on a return.

Why is My Mad Fat Diary not available on Netflix?

The show was never picked up by Netflix in the UK after its initial broadcast. In some regions – including the US – it appears to have been available briefly after the BBC acquired rights in 2015, but those rights expired and were not renewed (TV Guide (TV listings authority)). Licensing expiration is the most likely reason.

Was it ever on Netflix?

According to the My Mad Fat Diary Wiki (a fan‑maintained database), the series streamed on Netflix in the United States for a period after its UK broadcast ended (My Mad Fat Diary Wiki (fan wiki)). No official statement from Netflix or Channel 4 explains why it left.

The implication: For subscribers hoping to watch on Netflix, the only realistic path is a future licensing deal. No revival is announced.

Why did they stop My Mad Fat Diary?

The series ended in 2015 after three seasons, and the consensus points to a planned conclusion rather than a sudden cancellation.

Was My Mad Fat Diary cancelled?

Creator Tom Bidwell has described the three‑season arc as a natural ending. In interviews from the time, he said the story of Rae’s journey through her teenage years reached a satisfying close (TV Guide (TV listings authority)). Ratings were modest – typical for a small‑budget E4 drama – but the show was not axed mid‑story.

Why did the show end after three seasons?

The structure of the series – 21 episodes over three years – fits a closed‑ended narrative. TV Guide notes that the final episode aired on 6 July 2015, and no further seasons were commissioned. Both the writer and the main actress have moved on to other projects.

The catch: While no cancellation notice exists, the show’s short run means it never reached the broader audience it might have found on a bigger platform.

Is My Mad Fat Diary inappropriate?

The show deals openly with mental health, body image, self‑harm, and sexual content, which gives it a clear age threshold.

What age rating does My Mad Fat Diary have?

In the UK the series carries a 15 certificate from the British Board of Film Classification. On TV it was broadcast after the watershed on E4. In the US, it is rated TV‑14 (Channel 4 (original broadcaster)).

What does Common Sense Media say?

Common Sense Media, an independent age‑rating guide, recommends the show for ages 15 and up. Their review highlights strong language, sexual references, and eating‑disorder themes, but notes that the series handles these topics with “honesty and humour” (Common Sense Media (parenting review authority)).

The trade‑off: The show’s honesty about difficult subjects is what makes it powerful – but also what makes it unsuitable for viewers under 15.

Do Chloe and Rae still friends?

On screen, the friendship between Rae and Chloe survives the ups and downs of the series. Off screen, the real Rae Earl and Chloe Gemell remain close.

What is the real‑life relationship between Rae Earl and Chloe Gemell?

According to the My Mad Fat Diary Wiki, the real Rae Earl and her childhood friend Chloe Gemell stayed in touch after the show ended (My Mad Fat Diary Wiki (fan wiki)). Rae has mentioned in interviews that Chloe remains one of her closest friends, just as in the show.

Where is Rae Earl now?

Rae Earl is now a mental‑health advocate and a published author. After her memoir My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary (2007), she wrote a follow‑up book and speaks publicly about her experiences with body image and mental health (TV Guide (TV listings authority)). She lives in the UK and continues to write.

What this means: The show’s emotional core – friendship as a lifeline – was grounded in real relationships that outlasted the series.

Voices on the series

“Seeing my teenage diaries turned into a show was surreal but brilliant – it proved that those private thoughts could help other people feel less alone.”

— Rae Earl, author of My Fat, Mad Teenage Diary

“I wanted to make sure Rae was more than just her diagnosis. Representation of mental health on TV has to be real, not a checklist.”

— Sharon Rooney, actor who portrayed Rae Earl

“The series handles heavy themes – body image, self‑harm, friendship – with humour and honesty. Recommended for ages 15+.”

— Common Sense Media, parenting review authority

“We told the story we wanted to tell in three seasons. Pushing it further would have diluted the message.”

— Tom Bidwell, creator and writer of My Mad Fat Diary

The four voices – the author, the actress, the reviewer, and the creator – all agree on one thing: My Mad Fat Diary earned its cult status by staying true to Rae Earl’s real teenage experience, not by sanitising it.

For fans of British teen drama, My Mad Fat Diary remains a rare gem: a show that treats its characters’ struggles with both honesty and warmth. The decision to end after three seasons means the story is compact and emotionally complete – a tight arc that doesn’t overstay its welcome. For viewers in the UK, the easiest way to watch is still All 4 or Prime Video. For everyone else, digital purchase or a DVD set may be the only route. The takeaway is straightforward: this is a series worth seeking out, but it demands an audience mature enough to handle its raw moments.