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.

PONIES on Peacock is a new spy-thriller series starring Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson. They will soon be thrust into the world of espionage as CIA operatives. The story plays out in Moscow during the Cold War in the 1970s. Season 1 has eight episodes out now. Read our Ponies series review here!

PONIES is a new Peacock series with 8 hour-long episodes and a wonderful core cast. Especially the two lead roles portrayed by Emilia Clarke and Haley Lu Richardson. It’s a thriller series with a spy plot and some comedic elements as well, but the risks are all very real and potentially deadly.

Also, I should mention that Haley Lu Richardson’s character is bisexual. Not just in theory, either, but as part of the plot in this season. Despite playing out in 1970’s Moscow, it reminded me quite a lot of the series Poker Face starring Natasha Lyonne. And yes, I do mean that as a huge compliment.

Continue reading our Ponies series review below. Find season 1 on Peacock now.

Persons of No Interest

The title of Ponies refers to the fact that the two lead characters are Persons of No Interest or PONIs. Anyone who watched Amy Acker and Sarah Shahi aggressively flirt as Shaw and Root (or just “Shoot”) on the CBS series Person of Interest will be familiar with this term.

In the world of Ponies, the two main characters are labeled as PONIs because the KGB would never expect women to be anything other than wives or secretaries. Neither, it appears, would the CIA, as Beatrice “Bea” Grant (Emilia Clarke) and Twila Hasbeck (Haley Lu Richardson), have to fight to be allowed to work in the field.

It seems borderline ridiculous when you hear them say it all out loud, but it’s a classic case of “It was a different time”. Really, it was just a time when most men had no idea what women were capable of. As a result, many women didn’t either.

I mean, isn’t it the most obvious thing in the world to actively use the fact that the KGB wouldn’t expect a female spy?!

Well, that’s pretty much the point Bea and Twila make. Also, it’s the entire premise for this series, and it works remarkably well.

Cagney and Lacey do the Cold War

Sure, I’m oversimplifying, but I loved the whole Cagney & Lacey vibe of having two wildly different women team up. The result is, of course, a dynamic duo that thrives on equal parts wit, intelligence, rebelliousness, and courage. Another result is seeing men recognize that women can actually do their job. In some cases, even better than men.

Another reason I had to mention Cagney & Lacey is the setting. Sure, the iconic cop show is set in 1980s USA, but the late 1970s are fairly close in terms of style. Not so much the surroundings as Moscow was very different than the West, but the music still made it there.

Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Haley Lu Richardson (The White Lotus) work perfectly as these wildly different women, who become their own heroes in the 1970s. The series begins with them being widowed, and then quickly stepping into action as CIA operatives to solve the mystery of the deaths of their husbands.

Also in the cast are Adrian Lester (Sandman), Artjom Gilz (Tar, Trunk), Nicholas Podany (Saturday Night), Petro Ninovskyi (Silence), and Vic Michaelis (Upload).

Watch season 1 of Ponies on Peacock now!

While I remember seeing a trailer for Ponies, I can’t say it has had much help in terms of marketing or press awareness. That’s why I absolutely had to cover it here on Womentainment now. Not only is it a story about women, but it was also made by a woman, and even has a queer character.

So much reason to cover it that it felt strange not to.

The series was created by Susanna Fogel (The Flight Attendant, The Spy Who Dumped Me, Cat Person) and David Iserson (Mr. Robot, New Girl). Both are also executive producers and writers on the season. Finally, Susanna Fogel also directs, while David Iserson serves as showrunner with Mike Daniels (The Village).

Executive producers also include Jessica Rhoades (Black Mirror) and star Emilia Clarke. 

The eight-episode espionage thriller, which could easily become a multi-season series, premiered on Peacock on January 15, 2026.

Creators: Susanna Fogel, David Iserson
Cast: Emilia Clarke, Haley Lu Richardson, Adrian Lester, Artjom Gilz, Lili Walters

Official plot:

In 1977 Moscow, two “PONIES” (“persons of no interest” in intelligence speak) work‬‭ anonymously as secretaries in the American Embassy. That is, until their husbands die under‬‭ mysterious circumstances in the Soviet Union, and they are thrust into the CIA. Bea Grant is‬‭ sharp, over-educated and fluent in Russian — a child of Russian immigrants, trying to make‬‭ sense of a life that hasn’t turned out the way she expected. Twila Hasbeck is a small-town‬‭ firecracker: abrasive, bold and more fearless than she should be. Thrown together by grief and‬‭ circumstance, the two dig into the vast conspiracy their husbands were killed for.

HACKS Season 3 is finally coming to Max and HBO. The comedy series is as funny and touching as ever. Both Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder continue to shine, but so do the supporting cast – and the awesome guest stars. Read our Hacks season 3 review here!

HACKS is premiering Season 3 on Max and HBO with two new episodes. Of course, watching just two episodes will leave you wanting more immediately.

Hacks is a show I have adored since the first season, but not until now have we had enough foresight here at Womentainment to get our hands on some press screeners. Season 3 has nine half-hour episodes and I am as crazy about this season as the previous two. Which says a lot, I can tell you.

Continue reading our season 3 review of Hacks below. Find the first two episodes on Max/HBO on May 2, 2024.

A year later and a little wiser

In season 3 of Hacks, we pick things up a year after parting. Season 2 ended with Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) essentially firing Ava (Hannah Einbinder). Not as any sort of punishment, but rather to help Ava move forward in her career.

Of course, she grossly underrated the importance of Ava in her personal life. Especially as a person who has a professional and personal life that is extremely intertwined. As does Ava, I might add!

In any case, it’s a year since they parted and Deborah Vance is still riding high off the success of her standup special. So much so that people will laugh at anything she says. It’s not exactly preferable for Deborah, who has been used to working for her success. Now she’s getting a taste of the gratuitous success where you cannot lose… until, of course, there’s a backlash.

But none of that is coming just yet, so Deborah Vance is still on top of the world. So is Ava who is pursuing new opportunities back in Los Angeles. She’s writing on a TV show that has exactly the kind of style and messaging, she lives for. Also, she has a new boss who thinks she’s amazing and wants to help further her career.

Do people ever really change?

For Ava, it isn’t just her career that is going well. Even her relationship with her ex-girlfriend-turned-girlfriend-again, Ruby (Lorenza Izzo), is swimming along wonderfully. Ruby has a role in a new DC-based TV series as the lead, so they’re both doing great. In fact, during her work hiatus, she’s going to Iceland where Ruby’s show is made.

Or that was certainly the plan until Deborah Vance called her up and asked for her help. In an almost cruel twist of fate, there’s a chance that Deborah could finally get the job of her dreams as the first woman hosting a late-night show. However, her new writers are not working out, so she needs Ava to make sure she can give it her very best shot.

Once again, Ava finds it impossible to resist when Deborah asks for her. Since this is a comedy series, there are many funny moments, but it is also a drama (or “dramedy” if you will) so there are many touching scenes as well.

Also, there’s a good shift in season 3, when Ava figures out that she can set boundaries and ask for things as well. It also becomes obvious to both lead characters that they’ve been influenced by one another. In good ways that allow them to see the world from a broader perspective, I might add.

Amazing casting in every single role

There are so many wonderful guest stars in season 3 of Hacks and if you’ve heard of just one, it’s probably Christina Hendricks as this has been part of the PR for season 3.  It’s quite a rabbit hole that Ava (Hannah Einbinder) is about to go down – pun very much intended – when Christina Hendricks guest stars.

In season 3, Christina Hendricks plays a gay Republican oil heiress which virtually sums up everything Ava loathes. But she also comes in the shape of Christina Hendricks, so there’s that.

Other than this particular guest starring stint – which I definitely enjoyed in several ways – we see many other amazing actors in smaller roles. However, for me, it was also Deborah Vance’s amazing team of agents that had some great moments.

Co-creator Paul W. Downs as Jimmy has been amazing from the beginning, but so is Megan Staler as his assistant/co-founder, Kayla. They have a great story with Christopher Lloyd in one episode, and a recurring bit with Helen Hunt as well. Basically, you have a lot to look forward to in season 3.

Watch Hacks Season 3 weekly on Max and HBO!

Hacks was created by Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and Paul W. Downs. It’s one of the most intelligent and fierce comedy series ever. Always looking at people and circumstances through different lenses thanks to the Ava and Deborah characters.

Also, Hacks is one of those series that you can’t just binge-watch unless you want to wait until the entire season has aired. And, trust me, you don’t want to wait. Personally, I’ve actually started appreciating having to wait. Okay, that’s easy for me to say when I’ve been able to watch a screener of the entire season.

However, I am not always that fortunate, and right now I love that Under the Bridge on Hulu is something I watch weekly instead of binge-watching it. Because if I could have, I most certainly would have!

Instead, I did a review of Under the Bridge based on the first two episodes over on Heaven of Horror. I had to struggle to hold myself back and simply said “…we can feel the tension and chemistry from their first scene together”. By episode 3, it became very apparent that my queer instincts were spot-on. Spoiler: They usually are!

Anyway, enough about Under the Bridge as this was supposed to be about Hacks. And yet, I get a feeling that you’ll be watching Hacks if you’ve watched the first two seasons, which is probably why I feel fine plugging Under the Bridge here.

Also, if you’ve watched Hannah Einbinder’s “God is real!” comment when asked about Christina Hendricks’s guest-starring role, then you’ll definitely be checking out season 3.

The nine-episode season will release two episodes each week until the season finale (episode 9) on May 30, 2023.

Hacks Season 3 is premiering on Max on May 2, 2024.

Creators: Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs
Cast: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, Lorenza Izzo, J. Smith-Cameron, Helen Hunt, Christina Hendricks, Christopher Lloyd, Dan Bucatinsky, George Wallace, Tony Goldwyn, Aristotle Athari

Official plot:

A year after parting, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava (Hannah Einbinder) pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles.

THE GIRLS ON THE BUS is a Max Original series (HBO Max in Europe) about four female journalists covering presidential candidates. The casting is great, the dialogue sharp, and after 10 episodes, I wanted more. Read our The Girls on the Bus series review here!

THE GIRLS ON THE BUS on Max is a new Max Original series (HBO Max in Europe) with 10 episodes. For me, ten episodes weren’t nearly enough, so I hope maybe it’ll be able to continue somehow. I mean, some people never stop campaigning – not even after winning the presidential election.

In any case, this Max Original isn’t about any real politicians. I mean, there is obvious inspiration, so you can see current (or former) presidential candidates represented in the characters of this series. For me, the four female journalists at the heart of this story worked perfectly. Often in imperfect ways which only made them more interesting and realistic.

Continue reading our The Girls on the Bus series review below. Find the first two episodes on Max on March 14, 2024.

Sadie, Sadie, reporting lady!

Yes, I did just reference a song from Funny Lady because I cannot hear the name “Sadie” and not have that song playing in my head. In any case, The Girls on the Bus focuses on Sadie McCarthy (Melissa Benoist), who is very openly a journalist who romanticizes campaign reporting.

And yes, she does tend to reference The Boys on the Bus, despite her boss also pointing out that much of their behavior would be an HR nightmare in today’s world.

By centering on Sadie, The Girls on the Bus takes us viewers on the campaign trail alongside three of her female journalist colleagues. All of them have very different styles and personalities which reflect both the various news outlets and ideologies. Also, just their difference in tone of voice.

From the Social Media influencer directness to the brazen propaganda-like style of television reporting and finally the newspaper journalists. The ones who triple-check their sources and do their best to stay unbiased and neutral. Well, okay, Sadie does battle quite a lot with the latter as she has a favorite candidate.

This landed her in hot water during the previous presidential election when her candidate didn’t win. Still, she’s ready to head out again and already knows she just might get heartbroken all over again.

The three other female journalists at the heart of this story (and the title characters) are all wonderful and brutal in their own ways.

Meet the Girls on the Bus

There’s Grace (Carla Gugino) who is also a newspaper journalist and grew up around politicians as her father works in the same field. Carla Gugino is always wonderful, yet in The Girls on the Bus, I found myself falling for her all over again. Okay, it doesn’t hurt that this character (not least her wardrobe) reminded me of my own wife.

Along with Grace, there is the TV reporter Kimberlyn (Christina Elmore) who is a black woman on a very white channel. Kimberlyn is fierce and direct but also knows what she’s up against. Most of the time it fuels her, but it also gets to her. How could it not?

Finally, there’s the newcomer, Lola (Natasha Behnam), a queer social media influencer. To stay on the campaign trail, she must mention various sponsors. She doesn’t like it, but that’s the deal she has. Also, she is clearly rooting for “her candidate”, who is very much the outsider as she is more “radical” than your average candidate.

WANT MORE TOUGH LADIES IN POLITICS?

Be sure to check out the HBO Orignal series The Regime starring Kate Winslet >

Basically, she just wants people to be able to exist and get an education or go to the hospital without being indebted for life. As a social media reporter, it should come as no surprise that she isn’t concerned with being neutral.

That is not her brand. She doesn’t work for a newspaper, TV station, or even a website. She is her own brand and needs to always stay on top of being true to herself. However, that can get in the way, when you want to be a decent person to the opposition. A small detail in the storyline that I really loved.

Especially as it shows just how divided the two sides have become. However, in The Girls on the Bus that is exactly what we learn: That despite their differences, the four women become a family of sorts. One that may not agree, but has each other’s backs.

I bought the book after watching episode 1

I have no problem admitting that I loved The Girls on the Bus series from the very first scene. Actually, I kept waiting for it to turn stupid somehow. Either by having a slow episode or a character act in a way that didn’t feel organic, but simply used to force the situation.

That moment just never came. Nor did I ever expect it to. I mean, I bought the book [Amy Chozick’s “Chasing Hillary”] that this Max series is based on after episode 1. This should tell you a lot!

It should come as no surprise that The Girls on the Bus is a very character-driven story. However, what I especially loved were all the flawed and realistic characters. Yes, the four girls on the campaign trail are among them, but really, every character was fleshed out to a larger extent than what we can usually hope for.

Whether it was a presidential candidate, love interest, friend, family member, or even colleague, we got to see enough to understand what made them tick. No one is entirely good or bad, they are just human. And what the four colleagues discover while on the campaign bus together is that everyone can learn something from another person.

Be that social media skills, the unwritten rules of the campaign trail, or not underestimating someone you know nothing about. There was always a lesson for each of them. And, not least, us viewers!

Back on the campaign trail

Having The Girls on the Bus coming out in 2024, just as the presidential election is really getting started, is perfect timing. Of course, it has already been a long time coming. Netflix began development on it in 2019. Then in September 2021, Netflix dropped the series and it moved to The CW. Finally, in February 2022, the series moved to then-HBO Max.

It was with HBO Max the production of the series finally started in October 2022. Now, here we are, getting 10 episodes from March to May of 2024, before the presidential election on November 5, 2024.

What I expect – and certainly hope – many will take away from watching The Girls on the Bus is that elections aren’t as binary as many seem to think. For some voters, the coverage and news are extremely black and white as the rhetoric is one-sided in favor of one candidate.

However, as this series focuses on, most journalists who respect and honor their profession, try to cover it all. This is an ongoing theme as the four journalists clearly have very different worldviews and ideologies. Still, they recognize that they need to listen to more than one side. And they especially have to respect that not everyone agrees.

We could all learn from that. In this Max series, the four main characters manage to learn without having to compromise on their own beliefs. That’s how democracy works!

Watch The Girls on the Bus series on Max

Creators Amy Chozick and Julie Plec are responsible for giving us this amazing new series. The Girls on the Bus is inspired by Amy Chozick’s experiences as a political reporter. Yes, she too has been on the campaign bus following multiple presidential candidates as they either make it or bow out.

Amy Chozick and Julie Plec (The Originals creator and showrunner) also serve as executive producers alongside Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (Supergirl, You, The Flight Attendant), Leigh London Redman, Marcos Siega, and showrunner Rina Mimoun.

Also, the star of the series, Melissa Benoist, serves as a producer on the series. Good for her – I love seeing actors producing as well as star.

Whether you’re into politics or not – though really, anyone should be, and especially women right now – this Max Original is worth your time because the characters are so well written. The story is also intriguing and engaging, but without good characters, the story can never truly work.

Following these four female journalists on the campaign trail as they find friendship, love, and a scandal or two, is one of the best series I’ve watched in quite some time. So how can I not give it a top rating?! Enjoy!

Womentainment recommendation: A must-watch for everyone!

While The Girls on the Bus is all about the four women, it’s also about the media landscape, politics, and the people in their lives. Fortunately, this series has a brilliant cast of supporting (or recurring) actors as well.

Along with Melissa Benoist (Supergirl), Carla Gugino (Gunpowder Milkshake), Natasha Behnam, and Christina Elmore (Twenties) in the title roles, we see Brandon Scott (Dead to Me) and Griffin Dunne. Their two characters are perhaps most important as they work closely with Melissa Benoit’s Sadie, who the story centers on.

Also in key roles are Scott Foley, Mark Consuelos, Eric Stoltz, Kyle Vincent Terry, BD Wong, and Hettienne Park (The Outsider).

Overall, I loved that this was a very character-driven story. After all, politics and elections – democracy as a whole – is all about people. And, okay, the fact that the four female journalists at the heart of The Girls on the Bus were all awesome in their way didn’t hurt. Watch it for them!

The Girls on the Bus premieres on Max with its first two episodes on March 14, 2024. One weekly episode will be released following this with the series (or season, fingers crossed?) finale coming on May 9, 2024.

Creators:Amy Chozick, Julie Plec
Directors: Jesse Peretz, Erica Dunton, Marcos Siega, Marta Cunningham, DeMane Davis
Cast: Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, Natasha Behnam, Christina Elmore, Brandon Scott, Griffin Dunne, Mark Consuelos, Scott Foley

Official plot:

Four female journalists follow the every move of a parade of flawed presidential candidates.

THE REGIME on Max is a new HBO Original limited series starring Kate Winslet. Dark satire featuring familiar real-life events and people. Six episodes escalating in crazy ways. Read our full The Regime series review here!

THE REGIME is a new HBO original limited series that will be available to watch on Max and HBO. It stars Kate Winslet in the all-important lead and for this series, you will see a very different side of her. Or, at the very least, a very different type of character. It’s brilliant!

This limited series is a political satire that is partly over-the-top yet dangerously familiar. I’ve watched all six episodes of the miniseries for the purpose of this review (and also because I wanted to).

Continue reading our The Regime series review below. Find the series on HBO and Max from March 3, 2024.

Kate Winslet reigns supreme

Not only does Kate Winslet play the lead role in The Regime, she also reigns supreme when it comes to starring in so many amazing HBO original limited series. I, for one, can never get enough of her.

From Mildred Pierce (2011) to Mare of Easttown (2021) and now The Regime, she is brilliant! Especially when we see yet another (and very different) side of her with this latest role.

The Regime tells the story of a modern authoritarian regime. Or rather, we follow it from inside the palace walls just as it begins to unravel. Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) has not left the palace for quite some time, and this has resulted in her getting increasingly paranoid and unstable.

While things look crazy when the story begins for us, it’s about to get a whole lot worse.

She’s attracted to people who follow her orders and command respect from everyone else. This describes the volatile soldier, Herbert Zubak (Matthias Schoenaerts), perfectly. Known by most as “The Butcher”, he becomes an unlikely confidant that influences her in strange ways.

Amazing supporting characters and cast

Chancellor Elena Vernham feels increasingly empowered to do whatever she wants. Unfortunately, for everyone, she makes several bold and very wrong choices. Always trying to expand her power will result in the country turning on her. Or will it?

And can someone like Elena Vernham ever truly lose?!

Along with Kate Winslet and Matthias Schoenaerts in the key roles, we also see Guillaume Gallienne as Elena’s husband, while Martha Plimpton is a US politician sent to deal with Elena. And failing in a terrible way.

Also, in one of the most interesting and heartfelt roles, we see Andrea Riseborough as Elena’s assistant. And so much more, as they practically share a child. You’ll see how that plays out. I loved how Agnes (Andrea Riseborough) was the only one who truly knew how to work within this regime. Without compromising on who she is!

Finally, Hugh Grant portrays Vernham’s political rival, who has a lot of screen time in one particular episode.

House of Cards meets The Handmaid’s Tale

If I were to compare it to some of the more recent successful series, I would say it’s House of Cards meets The Handmaid’s Tale as a darkly comedic series. And yes, that’s exactly as crazy and amazing as it sounds.

Seeing these crazy things play out and then realize that a lot of what happens isn’t unlike the events we’ve seen play out in real life.

From the actions of politicians and those around them to the terminology used, it all sounds eerily familiar to things you’ve seen and heard on the news. A whole lot of familiar descriptions of political opponents and even other countries.

Also, Kate Winslet’s Chancellor Elena Vernham clearly loves using the F-word, when she’s not in front of civilians. It’s absolutely f*cking brilliant to hear her cuss out all the old white men, who have no balls and just adhere to her every whim.

Sure, not doing so has consequences, but on the other hand, doing what she asks also has consequences for the people they represent. Still, they follow their leader unconditionally. Even though they’re bitching and moaning behind her back.

Sound at all familiar to any real-life “politicians” you might know?!

Watch The Regime on HBO and Max

Will Tracy (The Menu) is the creator and showrunner of this new HBO Original series. He also serves as executive producer along with Kate Winslet, Stephen Frears (Dangerous Liaisons), Jessica Hobbs (The Crown), Frank Rich, and Tracey Seaward.

The writers on the limited series are Seth Reiss, Sarah DeLappe, Gary Shteyngart, Jen Spyra, and Juli Weiner. The six episodes are directed by one of two directors. Stephen Frears directs episodes 1, 2, and 4, while Jessica Hobbs directs episodes 3, 5, and 6 (the series finale).

While having Academy Award®-winner Kate Winslet in the lead role is a great start, the writers, directors, and entire cast of The Regime is what makes it work in all its crazy ways!

Womentainment recommendation: Perfect release for Women’s History Month

While Kate Winslet doesn’t exactly portray a likable or “good” woman, I do think the release of The Regime at the beginning of Women’s History Month is perfect timing.

Seeing women in power is always interesting. Even if it’s a woman who abuses power in exactly the same way that her male predecessors clearly have been doing. Also, having a female Chancellor who tells men to f*ck off whenever she gets the chance is downright liberating.

Seeing Kate Winslet in The Regime reminded me of Emma Thompson in Years and Years (2019). Now, while that series was much more of a realistic drama, it did make me think that a Years and Years spin-off where the focus was on Emma Thompson’s character would be brilliant.

I’m just trying to speak this spin-off into existence by mentioning it here. Manifesting it, if you will. After all, Years and Years was also an HBO (and BBC) production. And obviously, Kate Winslet should also be in the spin-off series as the reigning queen of the HBO limited series.

The Regime premieres on HBO on March 3, 2024, at 9 PM and will be available to stream on Max.

Creator: Will Tracy
Directors: Stephen Frears, Jessica Hobbs
Writers: Will Tracy, Seth Reiss, Sarah DeLappe, Gary Shteyngart, Jen Spyra, Juli Weiner
Cast: Kate Winslet, Matthias Schoenaerts, Guillaume Gallienne, Andrea Riseborough, Martha Plimpton, Hugh Grant

Official plot:

The darkly comedic six-episode series tells the story of life within the walls of a modern authoritarian regime as it begins to unravel. After not leaving the palace for quite some time, Chancellor Elena Vernham (Kate Winslet) has grown increasingly paranoid and unstable when she turns to a volatile soldier, Herbert Zubak (Matthias Schoenaerts), as an unlikely confidant. As Zubak’s influence over the chancellor continues to grow, Elena’s attempts to expand her power eventually result in both the palace and the country fracturing around her.

VIGIL Season 2 is finally coming to Peacock, and the BBC series is just as good in its second season. Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie still star in the story and their characters are a couple. Read our VIGIL season 2 review here!

VIGIL Season 2 is finally on Peacock and the BBC series is just as good in its second season. Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie still star in the story and their characters are a couple.

Continue reading our season 2 review of VIGIL below. Find the season on Peacock starting February 15, 2024.

From Scotland to the Middle East

We’re nowhere near any submarine in season 2. Instead, we’re looking at a different kind of crime. One that involves prototype weapons to be used (and sold) by the Air Force.

It all begins when a prototype Air Force combat drone is compromised. Specifically, it’s hacked and taken over by someone who kills several soldiers during a joint demonstration in Scotland. The other participants in the demonstration are representatives of the Kingdom of Wudyan.

This is a fictive place in the Middle East. A country that Scotland works closely with to have a base in the region. It’s also where Amy Silva must travel when her team is tasked with finding the perpetrator.

She heads to the joint (there it is again) Al-Shawka Air Base in the Kingdom of Wudyan. And yes, this fictitious country is supposed to be a controversial ally in the Persian Gulf, which means it isn’t the safest place to be.

Once there, DCI Silva discovers a wider conspiracy. One that centers around a private enterprise in drone development (and weaponry) which is directly tied to the current regime’s collaboration with the British government.

And yes, it does make her investigation very difficult as she is often faced with confidential things.

New characters and cast members in season 2

While there are quite a few of the characters from season 1 in this second season, most of them are newcomers. After all, everyone from the submarine of season 1 is gone. And there are a whole lot of Air Force soldiers in this new season. Fortunately, the cast is still strong!

New cast members in this second season include Dougray Scott (Batwoman), Romola Garai,
Chris Jenks (Sex Education), Shannon Hayes (Years and Years), David Elliot (The Cry), Oscar Salem (House of the Dragon), Nebras Jamali (Hijack), Amir El-Masry (A Haunting in Venice)

In season 2 of Vigil, the crime that Detective Chief Inspector [DCI] Amy Silva wants to solve requires her to leave Scotland. Being very pregnant with their child, Detective Inspector Kirsten Longacre stays in Scotland to investigate other parts of the same crime.

This means they’re still apart a lot, but they are also very much together.

Silvacre forever!

In case you didn’t know, the official “ship name” of Amy Silva and Kirsten Longacre is Silvacre.

Along with all the other amazing ships like Naomily, Britanna, Calzona, Clexa, Cophine, Avalance, Vauseman, Wayhaught, Avatrice, Petramos, Villaneve, Emisue, Shoni, and Marina – to name just a few (from English-language series) – this is one of my favorite couples.

In season 2, Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) are now together as officially as can be. They are a couple in every sense of the word and their banter is still great. On a different level now that they are in a committed relationship, which is only good.

Seriously, season 2 of Vigil is every bit as good as I wished and even better than I dared hope. No, there aren’t as many physical scenes with them, but their emotional and romantic moments are so much deeper.

Also, the fact that they’re expecting a child together means their relationship is in a new phase. One where the words “the mother of my child” are uttered in various versions quite a few times. Both to Kirsten, who is carrying their child, and when Amy Silva is talking about her partner.

Along with the words “her wife”, it’s the kind of talk that makes my little gay heart soar!

Watch season 2 of Vigil on Peacock in the US

Moving a lot of the action from a submarine off of the coast of Scotland to an Air Force base in the Middle East makes for a very different kind of series. However, I welcome the change. Obviously, it’s not as claustrophobic, but it’s still very intense and downright scary at times.

Besides, when you get down to the nitty-gritty of Vigil, it’s a very character-driven series. In that sense, it’s more about how Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) and Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie) work together as well as with the rest of the characters.

As already mentioned, Silvacre is going strong and it’s interesting to see new sides of them. They are more free and happy but also have a lot more to lose. This becomes a theme in season 2 as they frequently worry a lot more about each other than themselves. Such is love!

Womentainment recommendation: If you like season 1, you’ll love season 2!

While season 1 of Vigil was all about the meet-cute and falling in love – along with the issues with being closeted and not ready to come out – season 2 is all about love.

All while also having an actual thriller and crime mystery plot, of course. The combination is perfect for me. If you liked season 1, then I suspect it will be for you as well.

Season 2 aired on BBC in December 2023, so you’ve probably already heard a lot about it. However, now it’s finally time for you to experience it for yourself. Enjoy getting back with “Silvacre” – and seeing how they solve the crime, of course.

VIGIL season 2 is on Peacock in the US starting February 15, 2024.

Director: Andy De Emmony, Joss Agnew
Writer: Tom Edge (creator), James Smythe, Maryam Hamidi, Ryan O’Sullivan & Matilda Wnek
Cast: Suranne Jones, Rose Leslie, Gary Lewis, Orla Russell, Dougray Scott, Romola Garai, Chris Jenks, Anders Hayward, Shannon Hayes, David Elliot, Oscar Salem, Nebras Jamali, Amir El-Masry

Official plot:

When a prototype Air Force combat drone is compromised and kills several soldiers during a joint demonstration in Scotland, Silva’s team are tasked with finding the perpetrator.

EVERYTHING NOW on Netflix is a new YA Drama Comedy hybrid. It’s a coming-of-age story that deals with several serious topics. Sophie Wilde stars in the all-important lead role and she’s perfect. Read our Everything Now season 1 review here!

EVERYTHING NOW is a new Netflix series. This is a British YA dramedy [drama comedy hybrid] with 45-minute episodes and a total of eight episodes in season 1. It could easily be compared to other brilliant YA series on Netflix such as Sex Education or Heartstopper, but it does go much darker.

In that particular sense, a series like Euphoria will probably come to mind for many. However, the new Netflix dramedy isn’t that dark. It’s more of a coming-of-age story with both sweet and cringe moments while also touching on more serious topics. For this particular story, mental illness and eating disorders in particular.

Continue reading our Everything Now season 1 review below. Find all eight episodes on Netflix from October 5, 2023.

What is normal?!

In Everything Now, we follow Mia as she tries to find her way back to a “normal life”. In a very teen-typical attempt to rebuild her life – following a seven-month stay at a hospital from disordered eating— she creates a bucket list of experiences that both thrill and terrify her.

It’s all very innocent for the most part, and we hear Mia’s thoughts as she takes on the various challenges of returning to her old life. The way people keep talking about her looking and being “healthy” and her active fear of mirrors are just two of the obvious issues she’s constantly confronted with.

Having been away for seven months during High School feels like a decade. All of her friends’ lives have continued to evolve while she was in rehab, so she needs to do everything now (see what I did there?!) to get up to speed. At least that’s Mia’s take on everything.

And Mia does have amazing friends, who have been trying to protect her when visiting her in the hospital. Once she returns to her old school, the changes are coming at her full force, which is – obviously – a lot.

Inspired by real-life

Although Everything Now tackles the very delicate subject matters of eating disorders and mental health, creator Ripley Parker made a point of having a balance. Constantly keeping a focus on both the dark and the light of Mia’s life. Or life in general.

Fortunately, this comes across in the storytelling. Making Everything Now as a dramedy is the perfect way to ensure that much-needed balance.

And yes, Everything Now is something that evolved out of creator Ripley Parker’s own experience as an adolescent. So it’s not that the series is based directly on her own life, but it was certainly inspired by it. Again, I feel this comes across clearly as it’s very honest.

Both in the darker parts of the story and the lighter moments that give hope.

Sophie Wilde is perfectly imperfect

The role of Mia is portrayed by Sophie Wilde who also starred in the horror movie mega-hit of the summer: Talk to Me. She was brilliant in that horror movie and she is brilliant in Everything Now. And yes, there are some things the two characters from the horror movie and this Netflix dramedy have in common.

Not only are they both named Mia but they also both deal with mental health issues and have good and solid friendships. However, this is also where the similarities stop rather quickly. Especially due to the genre and nature of each storyline.

In Everything Now, Sophie Wilde perfectly portrays a character who is as imperfect as anyone. She tries things, goes out on a limb, and makes mistakes. Like anyone does growing up – and this is very much a coming-of-age story.

As her brother, we see Alex Reuben, while the parents of Mia are portrayed by Vivienne Acheampong (The Sandman) and Alex Hassell (Violent Night). With Vivienne Acheampong, we see a mother who comes across as cold and distant, while Alex Hassell as her father is the warm and always available parent.

I love seeing these loving fathers getting more screen time and focus.

The doctor in charge of Mia’s care and recovery is portrayed by the iconic Stephen Fry. An actor who has been very outspoken about mental health, which makes this perfect casting for me.

Noah Thomas, Lauryn Ajufo (Accused, Luther: The Fallen Sun), and Harry Cadby (Red Rose) anchor the series along with Sophie Wilde as the group of Mia’s best friends; William, Becca, and Cam. Other key characters at their school are portrayed by Niamh McCormack (Willow), Robert Akodoto, and TikTok star Jessie Mae Alonzo.

Every single one of these amazing and complex characters benefits from truly perfect casting.

Watch season 1 of Everything Now on Netflix!

The new British YA Netflix dramedy was created by Ripley Parker, who is just 22 years old. Or was at the time of creating this amazing series. And yes, Ripley Parker is a London-based writer which is always a good thing. Write what you know and all that.

The parents of this amazing young writer are no strangers to creating brilliant productions – including one of my favorite movies of all time. However, I won’t name them here because the whole “Nepo baby” issue has gotten completely out of hand.

Much like a woman can’t get a job on her own merits. Instead, she has to listen to accusations that she probably got the job due to a quota or because she slept her way to the top. In that very same vein, anyone related to someone already “in the industry” is slapped with that damn nepotism label.

Fortunately for Ripley Parker, all you need to do is watch Everything Now on Netflix and it shouldn’t be an issue. Director Alyssa McClelland, who also directed episodes of Sex Education, helmed two episodes of this new Netflix series (including the series premiere). Other directors include Charlie Manton, Dionne Edwards, and Laura Steinel.

Womentainment recommendation: Watch it now!

There are plenty of LGBTQ storylines to go around, which is always something I enjoy. Both in the name of diversity and representation – the importance of either cannot be overstated.

However, with Everything Now, what drew me in and kept me engaged were all the characters. Much like Sex Education or Euphoria, we get to see beyond the surface. Everyone wears a mask of some kind, and we get to look beyond that.

With Mia (Sophie Wilde), we hear her thoughts constantly, which enables us to understand where she’s truly at. For the rest, we need to pay attention more, but the camera always lingers enough for us to keep up. When you do, you’ll want to keep watching which makes Everything Now extremely binge-worthy.

Everything Now Season 1 is on Netflix from October 5, 2023.

Creator: Ripley Parker
Directors: Dionne Edwards, Charlie Manton, Alyssa McClelland, Laura Steinel
Writers: Ripley Parker, Roanne Bardsley, Dylan Brady, Glenn Waldron
Cast: Sophie Wilde, Noah Thomas, Lauryn Ajufo, Harry Cadby, Niamh McCormack, Robert Akodoto, Jessie Mae Alonzo, Alex Hassell, Vivienne Acheampong, Sam Reuben, Stephen Fry

Official plot:

When 16-year old Mia returns home after a lengthy recovery from an eating disorder, she is thrust back into the chaotic world of sixth form only to find that her friends have moved on with teen life without her. Along with an ever-evolving bucket list, three best mates and a major new crush, Mia throws herself headfirst into a world of dating, parties and first kisses, soon discovering that not everything in life can be planned for.

DEADLOCH on Prime Video is a new Australian series labeled a “Feminist Noir Comedy” which is surprisingly accurate. Also, it’s a murder mystery and has many LGBTQ characters, so there’s that. Read our Deadloch series review here!

DEADLOCH is a new Prime Video series from Australia. It’s described simply as a crime comedy hybrid and a “Feminist Noir Comedy”. Both descriptions work surprisingly well. For me, the comedy is hit-or-miss. Some scenes work perfectly, while others go very much over the top. I’ll get back to that.

Overall, it’s a story that plays out in a small town on the Australian island state of Tasmania. This town has recently had an influx of LGBTQ people which has resulted in a culture change. However, there’s also a sudden issue of people showing up on the beach murdered!

Continue reading our Deadloch series review below. The series premiered on Prime Video worldwide on June 2, 2023.

When LGBTQ people come to a small town

You could think that the many LGBTQ people in a small town would be a problem. And sure, some people do seem to have an issue with it. Not so much that they’re gay or queer in some other way. It’s more that things are changing. And not everyone likes change.

However, the changes are in a good way that makes the town look to the future. Food and entertainment are getting more focus than ever. Also, people don’t tend to get murdered in Deadloch, but that’s about to change.

The problem in this small town comes from those pesky murders. Our main character, police officer Dulcie Collins, has promised her wife that she’s done being a detective. Instead, they’re focusing on starting a family. So, when the murders happen, outside help is called in.

This comes in the form of Eddie Redcliffe. Behind the name “Eddie” is a woman, which surprises many. She’s quite unorthodox and does not work “by the book”. Dulcie, on the other hand, does and quickly gets involved in the investigation. Once she does, it’s easy to see why her wife would prefer she didn’t.

The case consumes her. Also, more bodies show up on the beach, so this won’t be over any time soon.

The main cast and characters

The main character of Deadloch is Dulcie Collins and she’s portrayed by Kate Box (Wentworth). I love everything about the way Kate Box plays this character. She’s all heart and brains, which is a strong combination to pull off.

Also, she has wonderful and sweet chemistry with her wife Cath, portrayed by Alicia Gardiner (The Clearing).

For me, this series works best when it doesn’t focus on Eddie Redcliffe (Madeleine Sami) which I hate to say since I adore the actor portraying her. It’s just too out there and crazy which just doesn’t gel with the vibe otherwise driving the series. At least not to me.

Well, at first anyway, because it does change. Fortunately!

You may recognize Madeleine Sami if you’ve watched The Great Kiwi Bake Off (the New Zealand edition of The Great British Bake Off). Also, she was in Come to Daddy starring Elijah Wood. Usually, I love Madeleine Sami and it does get better in Deadloch, but her character is too abrasive at first. It’s a shame!

Start watching Deadloch on Prime Video now

Deadloch comes from the funny minds of Kate McCartney and Kate McLennan. The two previously worked on the comedy series The Katering Show and Get Krack!n. There are eight episodes in the crime comedy series and the murders take place from the beginning.

Directors on the series are Ben Chessell (The Great), Beck Cole (Here I Am), and Gracie Otto (The Clearing, Heartbreak High). And yes, the latter is related to Miranda “I am no man” Otto. Sorry, I love Miranda Otto and always just have flashbacks to her in Lord of the Rings saying that. Gracie and Miranda are sisters.

The series premiered with the release of its first three episodes, so you could get a chance to get hooked. The final episode is released on July 7, 2023. If you prefer to binge-watch a series, you can start at this time. However, the episodes are close to an hour long, so you could start a bit early.

Womentainment recommendation: A feminist noir comedy? Yes, you should watch it!

The fact that this series has been described (accurately) as a feminist noir comedy is enough reason for anyone to check it out. Also, a small town that experiences an influx of LGBTQ+ people, and is all the better for it? Hell yeah, tell me more.

The comedy element is not sharp at first. Specifically not with Madeleine Sami’s character, though it pains me to say that.

However, everything else is really good (and funny) and it does get much better once that tough and abrasive layer of Eddie’s personality takes a backseat. Also, we get a chance to understand the reasoning.

Deadloch premiered on Prime Video worldwide on June 2, 2023.

Creators: Kate McCartney & Kate McLennan
Directors: Ben Chessell, Gracie Otto, Beck Cole
Cast: Kate Box, Madeleine Sami, Nina Oyama, Tom Ballard, Alicia Gardiner, Susie Youssef, Pamela Rabe, Kris McQuade, Duncan Fellows, Harvey Zielinski, Shaun Martindale, Katie Robertson, Nick Simpson-Deeks, Mia Morrissey, Leonie Whyman, Mick Davies, Holly Austin, Kartanya Maynard, Naarah

Official plot:

The Tasmanian town of Deadloch, a once sleepy seaside hamlet, is left reeling when a local man turns up dead on the beach. Two female detectives are thrown together to solve the case: Fastidious local Senior Sergeant Dulcie Collins and a rough as guts blow in from Darwin, Senior Investigator Eddie Redcliffe along with their overeager junior constable Abby. As the town prepares to launch the annual arts, food and culture event – Winter Feastival – the trio have to put their differences aside and work together to find the killer.

THE POWER on Prime Video is a new series in the fantasy and mystery genres with amazing characters and a stellar cast. Based on the New York Times bestseller, this series is acutely current and relevant. Read our The Power series review here!

THE POWER is a new Prime Video series that should draw in viewers on its cast alone. Toni Collette plays one of several main characters. This is truly an ensemble cast of the highest caliber. Both young and old, with characters that offer lots of diversity – be it ethnicity or sexuality.

Based on the New York Times bestseller by author Naomi Alderman. Yes, the very same Naomi Alderman who wrote Disobedience. The book was adapted into a movie starring Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams as lovers. Intrigued yet? You should be!

Continue reading our season 1 The Power review below. Start watching the series on Prime Video on March 31, 2023.

When women get the power

This new series is set in a world that mirrors our own very closely. However, it’s also in the fantasy genre, so there’s a twist; Women of the world develop an ability to electrocute. The gift (or curse) of actually being able to give jolts of electricity from their own bodies.

So, how will the world react to women getting this power?

Well, very much as you’d expect; In many instances with fear and by trying to control women. Not all men, obviously. But it still very much needs to be said. Of course, depending on how a woman has been treated in life, her reaction to getting this power also differs quite a lot.

Women in very tough situations where they’ve had to fight for everything (or maybe just to survive) realize that they now have a choice. They can fight back, leave, or simply take the power!

It’s a fascinating and simple plot driver that impacts everything.

This series does represent right

In The Power, we follow a few select women very closely. These women include a female mayor (Toni Collette, The Staircase). She is battling both the male Governor (Josh Charles, The Good Wife) and her own teenage daughter (Auli’i Cravalho, Crush).

The husband of Toni Collette’s character is portrayed by John Leguizamo (The Menu). He is a doctor and the family unites quickly when their daughter is one of the first to show the electrifying new powers.

Then there’s the young black foster child (Halle Bush in a brilliant debut) who does not speak. She is not in a good place. Maybe she never has been! However, she does have a voice in her head guiding her constantly. The voice is of the amazing Adina Porter (The 100), and honestly, I’d listen to her too!

Diversity in the best way

We follow her quite a lot in The Power. Things look up for her when she arrives at a renegade convent of sorts. There, she meets Sister Maria (Daniela Vega, Una Mujer Fantástica) who is part of the reason why no one there is officially a nun anymore.

Sister Maria is transgender (as is Daniela Vega) and so all the nuns who supported her were excommunicated. While I am not much for religion in general, I’d fight alongside these nuns anytime. Leading these rebel nuns is Emily Kuroda (Gilmore Girls, Kimi).

We also meet a British young woman (Ria Zmitrowicz, Kill Your Friends) who is our queer representation. You’ll see her kissing another woman very early on. She’s battling to just be recognized in her own family. Well, in a sense… you’ll see.

Her sexuality is a non-issue. It’s more to do with marriage and infidelity. In other words, nothing she can change.

Finally, I have to mention a woman living in an Eastern European country. Actually, she’s married to the brutal dictator of said country. She isn’t exactly happy but when you see how she grew up, you can understand why she reacts as she does. Portrayed brilliantly by Zrinka Cvitesic.

Start watching The Power season 1 on Prime Video!

The new Amazon Original series The Power is based on Naomi Alderman’s novel, but she’s also taken part in the development of this series adaption. The three people credited with developing the series are Naomi Alderman, Sarah Quintrell, and Raelle Tucker. In other terms, these three are the creators of the series.

Sarah Quintrell wrote on the His Dark Materials series prior to developing this new series. Raelle Tucker previously created the series Sacred Lies and wrote on and produced series such as Supernatural, Jessica Jones, and True Blood.

She was even nominated for a Prime Time Emmy for True Blood as a producer. That’s why it makes perfect sense that Raelle Tucker is also the showrunner of The Power with her impressive experience.

Womentainment recommendation: You definitely want to watch The Power on Prime Video!

Whether for the core plot of women getting a physical advantage or the stellar cast, this is a series you do not want to miss out on. Yes, there are many characters. Fortunately, the series is built with an impressive focus on both the individual storylines and the overall core story.

The final episodes of season 1 will be released on May 12, 2023. That makes this a real Spring treat of a series and one I am very much looking forward to watching.

The Power premieres its first three episodes on Prime Video on March 31, 2023.

Showrunner: Raelle Tucker
Cast: Toni Collette, John Leguizamo, Auli’i Cravalho, Toheeb Jimoh, Josh Charles, Eddie Marsan, Ria Zmitrowicz, Zrinka Cvitešić, Halle Bush

Official plot:

The Power is our world, but for one twist of nature. Suddenly, and without warning, teenage girls develop the power to electrocute people at will. The series features a cast of remarkable characters from London to Seattle, Nigeria to Eastern Europe, as the Power evolves from a tingle in teenagers’ collarbones to a complete reversal of the power balance of the world.

CLASS OF ’07 on Prime Video is a new Australian series (comedy and genre-hybrid) with 8 half-hour episodes. A group of young women is trapped at their all-girls 10-year high school reunion. Read our full Class of ’07 season 1 review here!

CLASS OF ’07 is a new Prime Video series from Australia. It’s a comedy, but of the dark variety, resulting in somewhat of a genre-hybrid. There are eight 30-minute episodes, which means you can binge-watch the entire season in around four hours. And yes, that’s exactly what I did for this review.

The first half of the season is by far the strongest with the two final episodes being the weakest for me. I loved the cast and the wacky and (for the most part) likable characters that we get to know better with each episode. And yet, the lack of any LGBTQ characters (or even mention of the possibility) baffles me. I mean, seriously?!

Continue reading our Class of ’07 series review here. The series premieres on Prime Video on March 17, 2023.

Class of ’07 is The Wilds meets GLOW

We follow a group of young women attending their 10-year high school reunion at an all-girl catholic school. A tidal wave of apocalyptic proportion traps them at the high school campus, where they need to band together to survive.

With all their high school drama coming to the surface, it’s quite the struggle.

The all-female cast will probably lead many to think of Yellowjackets or The Wilds which are two amazing productions. However, this new Amazon Studios production is a very different kind of story. In fact, it feels more like the Netflix series GLOW at times.

No queer girls in an all-girl high school?!

I actually like all three series. And while the two first are much darker, the third (GLOW) utilizes comedy much more. Also, all three of those series have LGBTQ characters as part of the rather big ensemble casts. And it works brilliantly because it’s both believable and relatable.

With Class of ’07 playing out during an actual apocalypse, I feel it was a wasted opportunity to not take itself a bit more seriously at times. Comedy can get important points across, but so can drama or even horror!

Just look at a series like The Last of Us which manages to include all three. And has a queer leading character.

Yes, I’m a little bitter about the lack of LGBTQ representation in a story with an all-female cast. A cast that includes Caitlyn Stasey of the super gay horror movie All Cheerleaders Die (2013). To be completely honest, I was well and truly shocked that there was absolutely no LGBTQ representation in Class of ’07.

Also, nobody looks at their best friend’s lips that intensely. Not in my experience anyway.

High school drama in the adult world

For the record, the “high school drama” featured in Class of ’07 includes severe bullying, depression, grooming by adults, substance abuse problems, and so much more. Just not anything gay, which I still find extremely strange, and no, I won’t let it go.

Where Class of ’07 does get it right is when it works the whole “never-ending high school reunion with life-and-death stakes”-angle. This is perfect for a horror-comedy approach, but far too often, it foregoes the horror darkness and opts for complete silliness. A real shame because the inclusion of darkness would have helped.

Especially because some very serious issues are discussed. During the moments when Class of ’07 gets more serious, it really shines. And also during some of the comedy moments that just works perfectly.

Described as “a love letter to female friendship”, I can absolutely get behind Class of ’07. It’s both about old friends finding their way back to each other and about finding out what kind of person you want to be. And sometimes realizing that you don’t like who you are. But you can change.

Just not in a gay way. Obviously.

Watch Class of ’07 on Prime Video!

The cast of Class of ’07 is all kinds of wonderful. Every single character has traits of a type you’ll probably recognize from your own life. And yes, it does get very stereotypical at times, but with this being a comedy series first and foremost, it can get away with a lot. Just not if it’s gay, it would appear.

The cast is led by Emily Browning (Sucker Punch), Megan Smart, Caitlin Stasey (Smile), Rose Flanagan, and Sana’a Shaik (Reckoning).

The series was created by Kacie Anning, who also directed all eight episodes. Other writers attached to the series (and who helped develop it) include Anchuli Felicia King (The Baby), Zoe Norton Lodge (Ding Dong I’m Gay), Adele Vuko, Courtney Wise, and Romina Accurso (Home and Away).

On a completely unrelated note (not really), several of these writers have previously worked on productions that did include LGBTQ characters. You’ll never see a prison series with no queer characters and a all-girls (or all-boys) high school with only straight people is just unrealistic. Sorry, not sorry, for harping on about this!

Womentainment recommendation: Watch it for the focus on friendship and self-improvement

Class of ’07 might shine when it gets the comedy right and when it deals with serious high school issues that can torment people for decades. However, towards the end, it loses too much of its edge.

That’s when it becomes more of a fun series about [straight] female friendship. Also, it turns into more of a spoof on reality shows about survival. While I can understand the whole “coming full circle”-idea, as it also opens with a reality show scene, this is when Class of ’07 is at its weakest for me.

And, for the record, I’m not saying that this series would have been better for having LGBTQ characters in it. But it sure wouldn’t have hurt. On that note, I did love the very final scene, which happens right after I was ready to completely give up on the whole thing.

Class of ’07 premieres on Prime Video on March 17, 2023.

Creator: Kacie Anning
Director: Kacie Anning
Cast: Emily Browning, Megan Smart, Caitlin Stasey, Sarah Krndija, Claire Lovering, Emma Horn, Steph Tisdell, Sana’a Shaik, Chi Nguyen, Bernie Van Tiel, Rose Flanagan, Debra Lawrence

Official plot:

Class of ’07 is a comedy about a never-ending high school reunion with life and death stakes. When an apocalyptic tidal wave hits during the 10-year reunion of an all-girls high school, a group of women must find a way to survive atop the island peak of their high school campus. Now freshly entangled in decade-old drama, their greatest threat to survival isn’t the end of the world, but each other. A love letter to female friendship, Class of ’07 is about old friends finding their way back to each other, in the most absurd of settings: the apocalypse.