THE FIVE STAR WEEKEND on Peacock is a series with the most wonderful cast. So heartwarming and funny, this new series is based on the bestselling 2023 novel by author Elin Hilderbrand. With 8 episodes, you’re in for a treat. Read our The Five Star Weekend S1 review here!
THE FIVE STAR WEEKEND is a Peacock series based on Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling novel from 2023. I have not read the book, so I have no idea how closely it follows the story in it. In fact, I have no problem admitting that the casting of this Peacock series is what lured me in.
And yes, the cast definitely delivered what I expected. The drama series (with lots of comedy along the way) has eight episodes in the season. Give it a shot, and see if this isn’t your feel-good show of the summer. It certainly could be for me.
Continue reading our The Five Star Weekend review below. Find season 1 on Peacock now.
Five female friends in Nantucket
I realize that a show about five friends in Nantucket may sound very “straight and white”, but it isn’t. Well, it certainly isn’t white, and in regards to the “straight” part, I don’t want to give away too much here. You’ll have to watch (maybe even decide) for yourself to figure out that part.
Anyway, we follow a very beloved food influencer, Hollis Shaw (Jennifer Garner), as she is dealing with a brutal loss. To help her come to terms with this, she relies on her friends. Along with four of her friends – each stemming from a different chapter of her life – she goes to Nantucket for a weekend.
Usually, Hollis Shaw is a friendly and happy kinda gal. Just not right now, which is exactly why she needs both support and understanding, along with some tough love, to help her move forward.
While the group of five women is there, they will uncover long-hidden truths while new relationships are formed. All takes place in the very gorgeous surroundings that Nantucket offers.
Jennifer Garner is Hollis Shaw
In the absolute lead of The Five Star Weekend is the always wonderful Jennifer Garner. And yes, I would admittedly watch pretty much everything with Jennifer Garner in it. From seeing her as the kick-ass Sydney Bristow in Alias (2001-2006), I have adored her.
Jennifer Garner was speaking all kinds of accents and taking on various undercover personas decades before Jodie Comer in Killing Eve. Also, she’s an actual superhero when playing “Elektra”.
Overall, Jennifer Garner may be best known as the cute and bubbly girl from 13 Going on 30, but she is so much more. She is a bona fide action star in movies like Peppermint and even Deadpool & Wolverine, but also the most amazing mom in Love, Simon. Also, she played a key role in Dallas Buyers Club, which was about AIDS patients.
Finally, if you’re in a slump, I can highly recommend checking out her “Pretend Cooking Show” on YouTube. Especially if it’s one where she has to call her mom for instructions. If you think Jennifer Garner is lovely, there’s an added comedic timing to seeing her interact with her mom while attempting to cook from her mom’s recipe.
Who knows, maybe these videos helped her get a role as a food influencer in The Five Star Weekend?!
Anyway, enough about just one of the actors in this show, which does feature an actual ensemble cast.
Just a wonderful cast
Alongside Jennifer Garner as Hollis Shaw, we have four amazing women.
There’s Chloë Sevigny (Russian Doll, Poker Face) as Tatum, Regina Hall (One Battle After Another, Nine Perfect Strangers) as Dru-Ann, Gemma Chan (Crazy Rich Asians, Humans) as Gigi, and D’Arcy Carden (A League of Their Own, The Good Place) as Brooke.
Also, in key roles, but not among the five friends, are Harlow Jane (She Came to Me) as Caroline and Timothy Olyphant (Santa Clarita Diet, Alien: Earth) as Jack.
Plus, in recurring roles, you can look forward to West Duchovny (Painkiller, Saint X), Roberta Colindrez (A League of Their Own, Vida), and Judy Greer (Good Boy, The Long Walk) as Electra. Yes, her name is almost “Elektra”.
Watch The Five Star Weekend on Peacock now
As already mentioned, The Five Star Weekend is based on Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling 2023 novel. The Peacock series adaptation comes from creator Bekah Brunstetter. She previously produced and wrote on several episodes of This Is Us, which was a series I was crazy about. An amazing creation from Dan Fogelman (Paradise).
Directors of the eight episodes in the series are Jennifer Morrison (Yellowjackets, Euphoria) and Minkie Spiro (All Her Fault, Pieces of Her). Overall, the crew behind this Peacock series is made up of a lot of female talent, which is yet another reason to support the show.
To me, The Five Star Weekend is exactly the kind of series I like to relax with. You can laugh a little, maybe cry a little, and you should be able to recognize the types of people we’re introduced to. The cast alone was enough to get me interested. I was entertained in exactly the way I expected. Nothing more, nothing less, and I am fine with that.
Womentainment recommendation: Have fun with this girl-powered treat
I wasn’t expecting The Five Star Weekend to blow my mind, and I suppose it didn’t, but it did make for a wonderful treat. Watching this Peacock series, I found myself relating to different characters and recognizing most of the types. In a good way, I should add.
With eight episodes, there’s plenty to enjoy. Whether you want to binge-watch it or have it as a little treat over some time, it’s perfect for winding down. A feel-good watch, and there aren’t a whole lot of those around.
The Five Star Weekend is out on Peacock from July 9, 2026.
Creator: Bekah Brunstetter
Directors: Jennifer Morrison, Minkie Spiro
Stars: Jennifer Garner, Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Harlow Jane, Timothy Olyphant
Official plot:
A beloved food influencer relies on her friends as she comes to terms with a devastating loss.
