Hannah Berner has perfected the art of the overshare.

Spend even a few minutes consuming the comedian and podcaster's content—whether on social media, on stage, or on her and best friend Paige DeSorbo’s hit podcast “Giggly Squad,”—and you'll quickly pick up deeply intimate details about her life. Her bowel movements. Her underwear preferences. The McDonald's order that nearly made her miss a flight. The exact conversation she had with her mom that morning.

But unlike the many creators spinning Internet fame into mainstream careers, for the 34-year-old, access isn’t a means to an end or a tool for influence. It is the product itself. Vulnerability, she says, is her “superpower.”

"My job is to be myself and put myself out there and, not to get too deep, but try to make people less alone," she tells Marie Claire during a whirlwind week that includes filming a still-under-wraps acting project (separate from the scripted Netflix series she's developing with DeSorbo, Amy Poehler, and Kay Cannon) and presenting at the American Music Awards alongside fellow reality TV vet Lisa Rinna.

Berner doubles down on that philosophy in her second comedy special, None of My Business, now streaming on Hulu. Across the hour, she mines everything from sexting disasters and body insecurities to the increasingly complicated question of whether she wants children—and how that decision intersects with her ambitions, her career, and a husband (comedian Des Bishop) who is 16 years older than she is. The result is a set that’s both fearlessly personal and surprisingly universal, as if Berner is the inner voice of a generation that processes life's biggest questions in real time and often online.

"It takes a lot for me to be embarrassed," she says. "I purposely talk about not shaving my legs above my knee, me sweating, and awkward situations I get in; I think it normalizes being human and a multifaceted woman."

So when Berner appears on Zoom from a Los Angeles hotel room, bedhead and all, it feels reasonable to assume there isn't much left to uncover. Yet away from the rapid-fire punchlines, she's more measured than expected—still warm, giggly, and disarmingly candid, but also intentional about the business of being herself. Here, she talks about building a comedy career in public, navigating fame without losing herself, the friendship-powered empire she's built with DeSorbo, and the Summer House scandal that continues to reverberate across the Bravoverse.

Marie Claire: Your comedy special is called None of My Business, but as a Giggler, I feel like I know all of your business. As your platform's grown, how do you navigate what parts of yourself to protect?

HB: Number one is protecting the family—not to be so Italian. I learned early in my career that other people didn't sign up for public access and also that not everyone has a sense of humor—if you make a joke about something, people can take it seriously. When I bring up my family or my husband in public, I make sure it's either really, really hilarious and worth the joke or I don't. I never talk about my marriage, and that's probably the number one thing that I think is really healthy.

MC: Hannah-the-person and Hannah-the-character feel closely linked, but do you feel there’s a distinction between you and that public perception of you?

HB: It's been really hard for me to be PR trained. I'm still not good at it because I just believe in honesty. I do think, though, why my comedy connects with people is because people want to feel like they're just FaceTiming their friends. And I also never tried to replicate a different comedic voice because I've done reality TV, because I've done sketches online, I yearned to be myself.

MC: There’s a common saying with comics: the first special's easy to write because it's a lifetime worth of material, but with second specials, you have to start from scratch. How did working on this one compare to your first special on Netflix, We Ride at Dawn?

HB: You feel like you won a Super Bowl when your special comes out, and then you have to learn how to play football again because you literally have zero jokes. [This time around] I was going to the clubs being like, "Are cankles funny?" I literally started from nothing. And you wonder, Was I funny because I'd written these jokes that I know work, or am I just good at performing?

I was able to realize I knew my voice even more. I was insecure [in the beginning], and my husband, who's done like a trillion specials, was like, “It's always scary in the beginning.” But I love this hour so much. It's almost sad to have to burn it and not be able to tour it anymore.

MC: What’s your typical writing process?

HB: I was lucky that after the Netflix special came out, I went on tour with “Giggly Squad.” So I didn't have pressure to be coming up with jokes every day. But I do think hanging out with your friends, like when you're riffing with them, you see where there's something. So if I make someone laugh really hard, whatever I said, I write it down. If Paige starts dying laughing at something, there's something there. Sometimes, also, I'll say a story on “Giggly Squad” that will cause a lot of reaction where people DM me, and I'll think, Okay, let's expand that on stage. I'm like a dog sniffing around, just trying to collect stuff, and then when I'm finally ready to start putting it together, I take all of my notes, and I start to combine themes, and write it out, and then you don't know if it's all crap or any of it's good until you go on stage.

MC: You've also earned so many celebrity fans like Nikki Glaser, Chelsea Handler, and Amy Poehler. Is there someone's opinion, whether in that group or otherwise, who still makes you nervous? Or whose feedback matters more on jokes?

HB: Comedians are so insecure because, well, if the people don't laugh, they are the judges. So I don't care how much you can intellectualize the bit; I'm like, “If the crowd didn't laugh, the crowd didn't laugh.”

But also just being able to like make those comedians laugh in conversation is my favorite. Having Chelsea or Nikki make fun of me, that's my favorite. The fact that they're shooting the shit and busting my balls is an honor and a privilege. To be around these women and be able to ask questions and see how their brain works is really, really, really cool.

MC: In the special, you're also very candid about motherhood and deciding if you should or shouldn’t have kids. Going into this, did you feel any pressure about how you were presenting that journey?

HB: I honestly was going in purely with curiosity of, I'm touring the country, speaking to women all over the country, I want to do some control groups. And every single show, I would have women debate, “should I, should I not [have kids]?” And I'd tell them my fears, and it was therapeutic for me.

One of my favorite lines of the special is, “I can't just have a baby and leave it at home and go on tour. I'm not a male comedian.” Because I see fellow male comics who are my age and they're like, "Oh, I wanna have a kid." And I'm like, "Yeah, but that's not gonna affect you how it's gonna affect me." And I'm competitive, and I see the career path, and I like to call that out. So I kind of just use it to say all my intrusive thoughts and questions, but I feel like anyone, whether you're a mom or not a mom, relates.

MC: I want to ask about Paige because she is such a big part of your life and your career. You guys have built such a brand off your friendship, but how has monetizing the friendship changed it?

HB: We really haven't changed our “business.” I put it in quotations because it's me, Paige, and Grace [Battle Thompson, executive producer]—who really runs the show—and it's an extremely small team. Yes, more people know who we are, but we're just doing what we've always done. I think it's been really beneficial because she's always had her own stuff, and I've always had my own stuff, so we've never needed “Giggly Squad.” It's always been a choice.

It's been able to be this passion project that has ended up being financially really worth it. But because we never went into it for that reason, it's been able to stay consistent, because you can tell we're not doing money grabs with it. Like, we purposely don't make Gigglers pay for our Substack. We only release merch that we're obsessed with. We just want to have this fun community.

MC: Do you guys have any rules around conflict, like couples might, where you say, "This issue we're having is going to stay private," or is everything fair game because it makes you relatable?

HB: I honestly have to thank reality TV because we were put through the wringer. They did everything they could to rip our friendship apart. I can't tell you the things behind the scenes that happened to, like, literally end our friendship [and] we fought against the system. Bravo doesn't want two women to love each other—that's just not good TV.

So I think surviving television drama made our friendship so strong and our communication so strong. Even on the show, we had one or two tiffs that when we had to make up, we couldn't stop laughing, and they were like, "This is horrible TV. You guys are just not giving us what we need." And I'm like, "Because I'm not actually mad at her." So because we've forgiven and overcome difficult things, now when it’s like, "Oh, do you wanna do this video for Dunkin' or this video for Dunkin'?" It's not life or death.

But also, I do have to say we got lucky that creatively we work really well together in that I'm a little more type A with how I want things to be. And Paige is really good at narrowing down all my ideas. She's really good at saying no to things. In a meeting, we can finish each other's sentences.

Our number one thing is making sure the other one's never uncomfortable. So, sometimes teams could be arguing about something, and I'm like, "I'm calling Paige." And Paige is like, "Yeah, let's figure this out, me and you." Because we actually love each other.

MC: Speaking of Bravo, did you watch the Summer House reunion?

HB: I'm not because I have something called PTSD. Ciara’s keeping me in the know. So I'm getting it from the source.

MC: There is a fan theory that you and Paige were a part of how Ciara caught West and Amanda dating because you both hired a PI. Can you confirm or deny this rumor?

HB: I'll just say that we were there for [Ciara], emotionally.

MC: People are rewatching old seasons, and there's a lot of "justice for Hannah" discourse now. Is it satisfying for you to see people reassessing you on the show? Or would you actually rather people leave it in the past because you've moved on?

HB: Reality TV is so crazy. You see this happen with a lot of shows where people realize we did what the storyline wanted us to do, but now that we have more information, we know that it was actually different than what was shown. So I think it's cool for people to understand some of the tricks of reality TV. It's like WWE for people to be like, "Wait, she actually wasn't the worst in this situation.” So I think it's funny.

MC: I also want to ask about your project with Amy Poehler. What can you tease about it?

HB: We're writing. We're trying to figure it out. I feel like I'm a sponge trying to learn everything I can from Amy. So Paige and I are, it feels like, [in] graduate school for TV. I always say, I love keeping the Gigglers and the gays fed, so I just wanna make the best, funniest show for them. Just know if we're quiet, it's because we're working hard to do it.

MC: Stand-up and acting aren’t exactly the same thing, and reality TV is so different. Does working on this scratch a different itch or did it feel like a really natural extension?

HB: It feels natural in terms of they give us a scenario, like, “Let's say you and Paige were in Walgreens, what would you do?” and I'm like, "I'll tell you exactly what we do and what we'd say." So it's cool that we kind of already know our characters in a way, but we're changing it a bit because it is fictional. But creatively, I want to be doing different things. So acting has been on my vision board. Back in the day, stand-up comedians, if you were good enough, you'd get your own series or your own movie. So I think deep down, I always wanted to act, but I just didn't think it was possible. Stand-up was, like, the thing that you could do without waiting to get picked.

MC: Are you taking acting classes or are you learning on the ground from Amy?

HB: We will be taking acting classes for this show. We cannot disappoint the Gigglers. Paige is already researching and stuff, so don't worry: We are gonna take acting classes to act more like ourselves. I always joke that Paige is an incredible actress if you've ever seen Summer House. She should win an Oscar. Some of her one-liners and reactions are just incredible. So I have a lot of confidence in her.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Good news, TV lovers: Mindy Kaling is continuing her apparent mission to make television about all stages of girlhood. After already tackling high school in her Netflix show Never Have I Ever and college in HBO's The Sex Lives of College Girls, Kaling is taking on that awkward time between college graduation and full, independent adulthood in her new Hulu show, Not Suitable for Work.

So, what is Not Suitable for Work about? The comedy, on which Kaling serves as executive producer, follows five 20-somethings living in N.Y.C.—roommates Abby and AJ, and their sometimes annoying, sometimes sweet, neighbors Kel, Davis, and Josh. They live across the hall from one another in matching, unrealistically spacious apartments, and though they're all career-driven, something tells me their lives will soon become more entangled than they might expect. Think of it like a Gen Z coming-of-age take on Friends.

Not Suitable for Work premieres Tuesday, June 2, on Hulu and Disney+, and while things might start pretty straightforward, it's only a matter of time before things get messy for Abby, AJ, Kel, Davis, and Josh. So, as you dive into the show, you're going to need some help keeping all the cast and characters straight. Here's everything you need to know about the cast of Not Suitable for Work.

Avantika as Abhinaya 'Abby' Chilukuri

Newly single Abby is focusing on work as a demanding stylist's assistant over love, which works out great—until she's hired to style a hot young actor. Meanwhile, she's welcoming her new roommate and college BFF, AJ, to the city while also getting closer to the lovable trio of men who live down the hall.

Avantika, 21, made history early in her career as the first Indian American lead in the 2021 Disney Channel Original Movie, Spin. Since then, she's continued to make a name for herself on the big screen. You probably recognize her as Karen from the Mean Girls movie musical, or maybe from the horror films Tarot and Pretty Lethal.

Avantika's Instagram: @avantika

Ella Hunt as AJ Pascarelli

AJ, Abby's best friend and new roommate, arrives in N.Y.C. to start her job as a financial analyst. She's eager for success and won't let anything, including her new attractive neighbors, distract her.

Ella Hunt, 28, is best known for her role in Apple TV+'s Dickinson and for playing Gilda Radner in Saturday Night. She's also a singer. Her debut album Blindspot will be released on June 5, and you can listen to the titular single, “Blindspot” now.

Ella Hunt's Instagram: @ellahunt

Nicholas Duvernay as Kel Washington

Kel lives across the hall from Abby and AJ with his two best friends. He's a med student by day, an actor by night. When he's not fainting at the sight of a dead body in the cadaver lab, he's pursuing his real passion: acting. Oh, and occasionally trying to sweep Abby off her feet.

Nicholas Duvernay, 26, is best known for his breakout role as Zion in The White Lotus season 3. Before that, he made a name for himself appearing on various television shows, including Tyler Perry's Assisted Living and Bel-Air. He recently appeared in the Colleen Hoover adaptation Reminders of Him.

Nicholas Duvernay's Instagram: @nicholasduvernay

Will Angus as Davis Beau Bradley Barrett III

Davis Beau Bradley Barrett III, Kel's roommate, might seem like a bro on the outside—what with his impressive name and his job as a financial analyst—but he's actually more of a romantic than a workhorse. He's on a quest to find his one true love, and he might luck out when AJ moves in across the hall...

Will Angus, 27, is best known for appearing in the YouTube sketch comedy show Almost Friday TV, and you might recognize him from his viral TikToks.

Will Angus' Instagram: @angus_william

Jack Martin as Josh Teitelbaum

Rounding out the boys' apartment is Josh Teitelbaum, a nepo baby who struggles to walk the line between acknowledging his privilege and abusing it. His dream is to work on a prestigious news show, but will he be taken seriously once he gets there?

Jack Martin, 27, got his big break in 2021, playing Josh Harris in three seasons of La Brea. He's since appeared on The Rookie, Almost Friday TV alongside Will Angus, and, most recently, starred in the new stoner comedy Pizza Movie. You might also recognize him from Lili Reinhart's Instagram, as the two have been dating since 2023.

Jack Martin's Instagram: @realjackmartin

Jay Ellis as Bill Gibson

Finance titan Bill Gibson is not a man you want to mess with. He expects perfection from all his employees, including first-year analyst AJ and her coworker Davis.

Jay Ellis, 44, is best known for playing Martin ‘Lawrence’ Walker on HBO's Insecure. He also starred in Top Gun: Maverick, Somebody I Used to Know, and plays Jay Brown on Mindy Kaling's Netflix show, Running Point.

Jay Ellis' Instagram: @jayrellis

Constance Wu as Vanessa Hsu

Celebrity stylist Vanessa Hsu demands loyalty from her assistant, Abby, and expects only the best—or else.

Constance Wu is best known for her breakout role as Jessica Huang in the sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. She also helped revive the rom-com with Crazy Rich Asians and starred in the under-appreciated 2019 hit Hustlers. She previously worked with Kaling on the writer's animated Velma series, in which she voiced Daphne.

Constance Wu's Instagram: @constancewu

Victor Garber as Wes Dryden

Wes Dryden is a renowned investigative reporter and host of The West Dryden Show, A.K.A. Josh's icon. He also just so happens to recognize Josh as the son of David Teitelbaum, the network's chairman.

In his decades-long career, Victor Garber has played everything from King Maximillian in 1997's Cinderella (yes, the one starring Brandy and Whitney Houston) to Oliver Warbucks in Annie (1999), and one half of the superhero Firestorm on The Flash and the short-lived Legends of Tomorrow. You might also recognize him as Professor Callahan from Legally Blonde or Jack Bristow from Alias.

Victor Garber's Instagram: @therealvictorgarber

Harry Richardson as Austin Blanchett

Austin Blanchett (yes, as in Cate—they are fictionally related) is a rising star and British heartthrob, as well as a client of Vanessa Hsu's. And he might be the first man to test the limits of Abby's professionalism.

Harry Richardson, 33, is an Australian actor who is best known for playing Larry Russell in The Gilded Age.

Harry Richardson's Instagram: @harryrrichardson

May Hong as Jocelyn

Jocelyn is Davis and AJ's no-nonsense coworker, so committed to the job that she's sacrificed her own health. Though not particularly warm, she's there for Davis and AJ in times of need.

May Hong, 37, is an artist and model who got her big break in front of the camera in 2019, starring as Margot Park in Tales of the City. In the years since, she's appeared in multiple TV shows, including Hacks and Fantasmas, but she's best known for voicing Mira in the hit animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Hulu's hit series The Testaments turned out to be so much more than a simple Handmaid's Tale sequel—it introduces viewers to a whole new side of Gilead. This time around, the dystopian tale unfolds as a coming-of-age story, told through the eyes of June Osborne's (Elisabeth Moss) eldest daughter, Agnes (Chase Infiniti). Raised in a totalitarian state with little knowledge of her origins, Agnes spends the first season realizing that the world around her isn't the virtuous place she thought it was. Alongside her new friend Daisy (Lucy Halliday)—who, unbeknownst to Agnes, is a Canadian spy—Gilead's next generation could be the one to bring it down across future seasons.

The first season, which aired in spring 2026 before its finale on May 27, definitely doesn't adapt the entire Margaret Atwood source novel of the same name, and it concludes implying there's more to come. So, below, we're breaking down everything we know about The Testaments season 2.

Is 'The Testaments' renewed for season 2?

Praise be! The Testaments has officially been renewed for season 2.

The announcement came on May 20, the same day that season 1's penultimate episode aired. The show's official Instagram shared a video featuring fan comments asking for a second season. The comments are cleverly edited into scenes from the show, such as Aunt Lydia (Ann Dowd) flipping through a file and June (Elisabeth Moss) reading a secret message hidden in a Gilead honey jar.

"A secret we couldn't keep any longer 💜," the caption reads. "THE TESTAMENTS will be back for Season 2 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+."

The news comes as The Testaments continues gaining viewers. According to Hulu, the show has been streamed globally for over 45 million hours.

Showrunner Bruce Miller recently even teased that the series could go on for multiple seasons during an interview with TechRadar, telling the outlet, "Every ending in Margaret's world is a very good beginning."

"I don't think in terms of [the] number of seasons," Miller continued. "But if you think of the awakening of a 14/15-year-old girl, her coming to and taking action, those things can go on for quite a while."

When will 'The Testaments' season 2 come out?

A premiere date for The Testaments season 2 hasn't been announced just yet. Showrunner Bruce Miller told Variety upon the release of the season 1 finale that the scripts are currently being written, and he's hopeful they can "move quickly" toward production—especially since the stars need to continue to resemble teenagers. He emphasized that he doesn't want to move too fast and "make a shitty show," but hopes to usher production along.

We can look to the season 1 production timeline for some clues about when our Gilead girls will be back on our screens. Season 1 filmed from April to August 2025 and premiered in April 2026. If season 2 follows a similar trajectory and starts filming late in the summer after the teleplays are complete, it could premiere as early as fall 2027.

Which cast members will return for 'The Testaments' season 2?

The Testaments tells Agnes's (Infiniti) and Daisy's (Halliday) coming-of-age stories, so we can rest assured knowing that they'll remain front and center in season 2. Ann Dowd will also return as the formidable Aunt Lydia, who's set to mentor Agnes in future episodes. Plus, it's a safe bet that Moss will make more guest appearances as June Osborne, who's still working with the Mayday rebellion to rescue her eldest daughter from Gilead. For instance, she told The Hollywood Reporter that she feels "very, very close to [June]" and hopes to continue to return to her. "I would never want to stop playing her," she said. "As long as there’s a Gilead, she’s never going to stop fighting."

We can also expect many of season 1's supporting characters to return, including Mattea Conforti as Becka, Rowan Blanchard as Shunammite, Mabel Li as Aunt Vidala, and Brad Alexander as Garth.

What will 'The Testaments' season 2 be about?

Although Hulu hasn't released an official synopsis for The Testaments season 2, the season 1 finale and the show's source material offer glimpses of what's in store.

By the end of season 1, Agnes's arranged marriage to Commander Weston (Reed Diamond) was canceled, and she was shocked upon learning that June is her birth mother. After initially trying to escape Gilead, Daisy ultimately decided to stay and fight for her new friends's freedom. Meanwhile, Agnes's best friend Becka reluctantly married the newly minted Commander Garth after her mother took the blame for Becka murdering her abusive father (Randal Edwards).

The Testaments has already taken liberties with the Margaret Atwood novel, such as making Agnes and Daisy the same age and not actually half-sisters. While season 1 roughly adapted the section of the book detailing Agnes's childhood, we can expect season 2 to draw from the events in Daisy and Agnes's teenage years. More flashes of Aunt Lydia's backstory and inner life are bound to pop up, too.

Showrunner Bruce Miller teased in an interview with Variety what direction season 2 will take, especially in terms of Agnes's development, now that she knows her true identity. "That’s what the show is about—it’s about the pot boiling over," he said. "When she realizes who her mother is, that turns up the temperature of that pot quite a bit—but it's still just burbling, it doesn’t explode. This is a woman who is raised in Gilead, those are her rules, she's not going to turn around one day and say, 'This is awful. We should change it.' You really want her to become who is on a hot fire, bubbling away, but you never know when she’s gonna start to pop."

He also noted that Agnes was seen as a "golden child" for quite some time, and will now have to face the ramifications at school and in her conservative community of her marriage falling through. "I think at the end, where you have Agnes coming in, she’s saying, ‘Boy, I’m a loser, this has never happened before.’ But the next thing you see is her walking down the hallway, absolutely full of strength," he explained. "So, it may never have never happened before, and I think Lydia is worried, but I think Agnes is going to make something out of this little bit of independence that she’s found."

Meanwhile, Infiniti herself told Collider that she's looking forward to seeing Agnes "taking charge and learning about her story."

"We literally leave her in this internal struggle of figuring out who she actually is versus what she's been told she is her entire life," she said. "That's something that I am very excited to explore."

Every summer, dating show fans face the ultimate decision: Love Island USA or Love Island UK? Millions of new viewers have joined the Love Island fandom in recent years, thanks to the skyrocketing popularity of LIUSA seasons 6 and 7. But longtime reality fans know that LIUK is required viewing, as the franchise's original show was putting out legendary seasons before the American spinoff was a twinkle in an executive's eye. If you want to start a passionate debate among reality obsessives, just ask one question: Which Love Island do you watch?

New fans interested in watching the upcoming seasons of both shows may not know what they're signing up for. Since 2024, LIUK and LIUSA have debuted their seasons around the same time, with both countries claiming early June as the start of the summer. Typically, juggling shows like Love Is Blind or The Bachelorette is nothing new, but those reality hits only claim one or two days per week. Watching both versions of Love Island means signing up to binge two to four hours of vicarious romance drama every night for two months. It makes sense why many fans choose one to watch live, and maybe catch up with the other at a later date.

However, some fans watch both LIUSA and LIUK live—a true feat of dedication and endurance. Each series is returning this summer after massive success last year, so 2026 may bring each show's biggest year yet. Odds are, once TikTok is flooded with viral clips from both sets of Islanders, the allure may be too hard to resist.

With both shows starting in less than a month, read on for everything to know to tune into Love Island UK and Love Island USA in 2026, from each show's premiere dates to ways to watch Love Island UK in real time.

When do 'Love Island UK' and 'Love Island USA' start in 2026?

Get ready for a very busy June. This year's installment of Love Island UK, season 13, kicked off on Monday, June 1—just one day before Love Island USA launched its season 8 on Tuesday, June 2. (Last year, there was at least a week's gap between the two shows's premieres.)

Love Island UK season 13 sees Maya Jama return to the Spanish island of Mallorca for her fourth year as host, while Love Island USA season 8 welcomed Ariana Madix back to Fiji for a third year.

As of now, neither series has revealed details about how many episodes the season will run. However, LIUK is typically longer than LIUSA; UK seasons 7 through 12 have each clocked in at 49 episodes, while USA seasons 5 through 8 ran for 37.

How can I watch 'Love Island UK' in the U.S.?

Love Island UK is set to stream its season 13 on Hulu and Disney+ in the U.S., and all 12 previous seasons are available to binge on the platforms. However, U.S. viewers won't get the episodes at the same time they air in the show's home country. Per Decider, LIUK will stream daily on Hulu starting on June 4, so fans watching on the streamer will be three days behind the U.K.

If you're the impatient type or don't want to get spoiled by an IG reel, Love Island UK will stream with no delay on ITVX, free with TV license. If you don't have a VPN, you can use one like Nord VPN.

How can I watch 'Love Island USA' live?

Love Island USA will stream every night at 6 p.m. PT/9 p.m. ET on Peacock. Since LIUSA is a Peacock Original, it's only available on the Premium tier at $11/month, or the Premium Plus tier at $16.99.

(If you need a more comprehensive guide to Love Island USA season 8 or the season 8 Islanders, we've got you covered.)

Whitney Leavitt has officially grown past #MomTok. The villain-turned-fan-favorite announced her departure from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on May 3, after starring in the Hulu reality show for four seasons.

The Dancing With the Stars alum revealed the news in a theatrical fashion: During her final night playing Roxie Hart in Broadway's Chicago, Whitney integrated her departure into a scene during which her character reads newspaper headlines. "What is that?" she said while pointing to the paper, per TMZ footage. "Whitney…let me see… 'Whitney Leavitt Announces She’s Leaving The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives!'"

News of Whitney's exit comes days after Hulu resumed production on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5 after a month-long pause. It's currently unknown whether Whitney will be featured as a full-time cast member on season 5; according to Variety, she filmed scenes "documenting her Chicago experience" ahead of the filming pause.

Since SLOMW's debut in September 2024, Whitney has pursued wider opportunities in entertainment, including Dancing With the Stars season 34, Chicago, and her upcoming holiday movie All for Love. Her run in Chicago broke box-office records, with the musical earning its highest recorded total ticket sales when Whitney's former DWTS partner, Mark Ballas, joined her as Billy Flynn for her final month of shows.

In a February interview with Variety, Whitney hinted that she was open to leaving the Hulu reality show while sharing her experience juggling SLOMW and Chicago. "They’re following me while I’m in New York, but I don’t know how that would look for future seasons. It wouldn’t make sense. People want to see the group together," she told the outlet. "Part of me is like, ‘I can’t do both,’ because both are so time-demanding. Even filming season 5 has been really hard."

When asked whether she would leave the series, she said at the time, "I don’t know. Because this is what I wanted, and I wasn’t shy about sharing that. So at what point do you move on to the next journey?"

As for what's next for Whitney so far, she and her husband, Connor Leavitt, put their Utah home up for sale in late March, with plans to permanently relocate to N.Y.C. Though Whitney's next steps are unknown, Connor is set to follow her theater footsteps; per PEOPLE, the Mormon dad has joined the off-Broadway show 11 to Midnight for a three-week engagement.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is headed to the O.C.

On April 22, 2026, Hulu confirmed that the pop-culture phenomenon that brought #MomTok and dirty soda to the masses will get the franchise treatment. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County will follow "a new group of dynamic young mothers in Orange County collide in a community where beliefs are not just their religion; they are their identity," per the loglline.

It continues, "While some defend their way of life, fighting against modernity, others embrace change, becoming a platform to disrupt the status quo. Scandals and secrets will be revealed, facades will crumble, and families and friendships will change forever on both sides of the battlefield as this group of strong, game-changing influencers comes together to build their answer to #MomTok."

Though it's still early days for the new spinoff, it seems like Hulu's set to continue the breakneck production schedule that brought us four seasons of SLOMW within 18 months. Read on for everything to know about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County so far, from the veteran influencers in the cast to which original #MomTok member is switching cities.

When will 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County' come out?

Though Hulu has not announced an official release date for SLOMW: Orange County, the streamer confirmed that the reality spinoff will premiere in 2026.

On April 28, just days after the series's cast was revealed at Hulu's Get Real event, the O.C. Mormon Wives were spotted filming. According to TMZ, eagle-eyed fans saw production out and about in Newport Beach and Huntington Beach on the Monday and Tuesday after the announcement.

Who will be in the cast of 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County?'

Hulu has announced the main cast of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County will include longtime influencer Aspyn Ovard, 30; former nurse and TikTok star Avery Woods, 31; Utah influencer Salomé Andrea; Mayci McNeely's sister McCall DaPron, 36; family YouTuber Madison Bontempo, 34; and newcomers Chandler Higginson and Ashleigh Pease, 32.

It also appears that podcaster Bobbi Althoff, 28, will appear on SLOMW: OC in some capacity. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the "Really Good Podcast" host was not included in the original cast list, but she attended Hulu's Get Real event with the rest of the stars.

Like the original #MomTok women, the Orange County cast includes a mix of Saints and Sinners. Both Aspyn Ovard and Avery Woods have openly distanced themselves from the Mormon church in the past, though they both married and had children young. Bobbi Althoff has never publicly identified as Mormon, but she has described herself as "very Christian," per Decider. Both Ovard and Althoff have also been divorced.

Meanwhile, Salomé Andrea, Madison Bontempo, McCall DaPron, and Chandler Higginson have all either identified as Mormon, grown up in the faith, or been involved in the church to certain degrees. The religious background of Ashleigh Pease is unclear.

Will any members of the 'SLOMW' cast appear on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County?'

After weeks of speculation, it seems that one SLOMW star is making the jump from Utah to SoCal. On April 26, Jen Affleck shared a video introducing the SLOMW: Orange County cast with a sitcom-style opening credits sequence set to the Full House theme. (Notably, Althoff was shown filming the rest of the cast, suggesting a bit of distance from the main group.)

It makes sense that Jen will appear on the spinoff: She previously revealed in an October 2025 PEOPLE interview that her family was moving from Utah to California.

As for the rest of Utah #MomTok, Disney exec Rob Mills hinted that the O.C. is open to more appearances from the flagship cast. "There’s definitely room for not just Jen, but many members of the Utah Mormon Wives," Mills told Variety. "That’s all being discussed. We’re really just starting the show, but as you see, Mayci’s sister is on there! I think in a perfect world, it’s something where there’s room for everybody to kind of pop in and out.

Long before it arrived on Hulu, Perfect Crown was set to become the biggest K-drama of the year (so far). MBC and Disney+'s fantasy-romance series stars two of Korea's most famous stars—When Life Gives You Tangerines alum IU and Lovely Runner's Byeon Woo-seok—in a reimagining of the country as a 21st-century constitutional monarchy. (Think the British royals but with modern hanboks.)

Perfect Crown centers on two second children who defy societal expectations to make their own destiny. Seong Hui-ju (IU) is a successful businesswoman whose ambition is curtailed by her status as a commoner and an illegitimate child. Grand Prince I-AN (Byeon) is the most powerful man in the country, but he also lives under the most restrictions. When the pair strikes up a marriage of convenience, their growing romance challenges multiple hierarchies.

Since its April 10 premiere, Perfect Crown has become a smash hit across the globe, with the rom-com earning Disney+'s biggest K-drama premiere to date and trending in over 40 countries. This is thanks in large part to its talented cast, with rising stars like Gong Seung-yeon and Lee Yeon becoming quick fan favorites. With Perfect Crown airing on Fridays and Saturdays up to its May 16 finale, read on to learn more about the stars bringing the Disney+/Hulu hit to life.

IU as Seong Hui-ju

Seong Hui-ju is the CEO of Castle Beauty and the second child of Castle Group, the country's top conglomerate. Her ruthless and competitive nature comes from a lifetime on the margins: Though she's wealthy and successful, her status as a commoner and illegitimate child means nobles look down upon her. Since marriage is necessary for her standing, she decides to aim for the top.

IU (real name Lee Ji-eun), 32, is a singer-songwriter and actress who's one of the most popular stars in South Korea. She made her singing debut at the age of 15 and rose to fame with hit songs including 2010's "Good Day," 2017's "Palette," 2020's "Eight," and 2024's "Love Wins All." On the acting side, she has starred in award-winning dramas and films, including My Mister, Hotel del Luna, Broker, and When Life Gives You Tangerines. She also hosts the YouTube interview series IU's Palette.

Instagram: @dlwlrma

Byeon Woo-seok as Crown Prince I-AN

I-AN is the second son of the royal family and the younger brother of the late king. He was raised to be quiet and obedient, hiding his fiery temper and ignoring his ambitions. But everything changes when the king unexpectedly dies, leaving his toddler son as the only heir. Three years after becoming regent, I-AN must choose between supporting his young nephew and his hidden ambition for the throne.

Perfect Crown is Byeon Woo-seok's first K-drama since he rose to global fame with his role as Ryu Sun-jae in the time-travel romance Lovely Runner. The 34-year-old model made his acting debut in the 2016 drama Dear My Friends and went on to star in shows and movies like Search: WWW, Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency, Record of Youth, Strong Girl Nam Soon, 20th Century Girl, and Soulmate. He's also an award-winning singer; his contribution to the Lovely Runner soundtrack, "Sudden Shower," won multiple Best OST prizes.

Instagram: @byeonwooseok

Steve Sanghyun Noh as Min Jeong-u

Jeong-u is one of the country's most popular nobles; he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather to become prime minister. Unpredictable and influential, the political heir is also I-an's closest friend and confidant. All that changes when I-an becomes interested in Hui-ju, Jeong-u's old friend.

Noh Sang-hyun (English name, Steve Noh) spent his childhood living in Vancouver, Canada, and attended college in Boston. He made his acting debut in Korea with small roles in films like Bad Man and Seoul Searching, before landing his breakout roles as Isak in Apple TV's adaptation of Pachinko, and Heung-soo in the 2024 LGBTQ+ movie Love in the Big City. Next up, he'll reunite with his Pachinko co-star Kim Min-ha for the Netflix rom-com Messily Ever After.

Instagram: @steveshnoh

Gong Seung-yeon as Yun I-rang

Yun I-rang was raised from childhood to be the perfect queen, valuing grace and decorum over her own desires. In the years since her husband's death, the now-Queen Dowager will do anything to guarantee her son's eventual place on the throne. Her tight control over the royal family is threatened when Hui-ju enters the picture.

Gong Seung-yeon, 33, spent seven years as an SM vocal trainee before pivoting to acting in 2012. (Her younger sister is TWICE's Jeongyeon.) She's best known for her roles in the dramas Six Flying Dragons, Introverted Boss, Bulgasal: Immortal Souls, The First Responders, and Karma. In 2021, she won Best New Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards. In Perfect Crown, she reunites with Byeon Woo-seok, her co-star in the 2019 period drama Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency.

Instagram: @0seungyeon

Yoo Su-bin as Choi Hyeon

Choi Hyeon, aide to the Crown Prince, is played by Yu Su-bin. Since his debut in 2016, the 33-year-old actor has starred in several hit K-dramas, including Crash Landing on You, Prison Playbook, Special Labor Inspector Jo, Start-Up, Lost, D.P., and Tastefully Yours. He also played Choi Hyo-man in Netflix's thriller K-drama Weak Hero Class 2.

Instagram: @subinyu1106

Lee Yeon as Do Hye-jeong

Lee Yeon plays Hui-ji's loyal assistant Hye-jeong. The 31-year-old actress rose to fame with roles in the 2020 LGBTQ+ movie Take Me Home and the 2022 drama Juvenile Justice; the latter earned her a Best New Actress nomination at that year's Baeksang Arts Awards. Since then, she has also appeared in shows and films like Weak Hero Class 1, Crash Course in Romance, Duty After School, D.P., and Kill Boksoon.

Instagram: @kiteleeflying

Lee Jae-won as Seong Tae-ju

Hui-ju's only competition in inheriting Castle Group is her half-brother Tae-ju. Though he's older, Tae-ju has come up second to Hui-ju in every way but two: He's a legitimate child, and he's married to a noblewoman.

Lee Jae-won, 39, has played supporting roles in dozens of K-dramas. Some of his notable credits include Doctor Stranger, The Legend of the Blue Sea, Stranger, Record of Youth, Mr. Queen, Dr. Brain, Welcome to Samdal-ri, and The Tale of Lady Ok.

Chae Seo-an as Han Da-yeong

Tae-ju's wife, Da-yeong, is the eldest daughter of the former Minister of Justice. Though many think their marriage was a strategic alliance, the couple actually married for love.

Chae Seo-an (birth name Byeon Seo-yun), 29, made her acting debut in 2020 and has since appeared in dramas like Police University, Hellbound, and Pro Bono. She also had scene-stealing roles in two Netflix K-dramas. She played scheming teacher Han Ji-soo in Hierarchy, and the young version of Bu Sang-gil’s long-suffering wife, Young-ran, in When Life Gives You Tangerines.

Instagram: @serenity__an

Jo Seung-yeon as Seong Hyeon-guk

Hui-ju and Tae-ju's domineering father, Seong Hyeon-guk, is determined to have his son take over Castle Group, no matter how much better Hui-ji is for the role. Hyeon-guk is played by Jo Seung-yeon, a prolific TV and film actor who's appeared in dozens of projects. Some of his most notable K-dramas include Six Flying Dragons, Suspicious Partner, Arthdal Chronicles, Hospital Playlist, Little Women, Blind, The First Responders, My Dearest, and Bon Appetit, Your Majesty.

Receiving birthday advice from Stassi Schroeder is like getting communion from the Pope. And here, on the eve of my 36th birthday in early December, sitting poolside at a Hollywood Hills mansion—the setting of today’s photo shoot—I receive the blessed words: “Go to Magic Castle.”

I side-eye her. “It's like a haunted house,” explains the reality star, “but with magic everywhere and alcohol and food.” I’m familiar with the venue. It could be fun, sure, but not exactly the over-the-top spectacle, the near-religious experience, I’d anticipated from her. Because long before Scamanda or Scandoval, before Mormon Wives or Love Island, Schroeder’s birthdays were the stuff of reality TV gold: maximalist, dramatic, almost mythic. “It’s my fucking birthday” might as well have tolled like church bells across the Bravoverse, separating the anointed OG fans from the newer reality converts.

Sensing my hesitation, she pivots, quickly upgrading her recommendations to something more on-brand: The Polo Lounge for caviar towers, McCarthy salads, and martinis? Or maybe Sunset Tower? It is haunted, she adds, as a draw.

She keeps workshopping options, trying to land on something suitably extravagant. I stop her. It’s not that her suggestions are lacking; it’s just that I’ve come in expecting a version of Schroeder that no longer quite exists. “I resent my birthday now,” she says. “I feel so embarrassed by how big of a deal I made [my birthdays] on TV that if I were to do that now, it feels like I’m playing into a character or a trope.”

She’s acutely aware of her lore as a 20-something chaos agent immortalized on eight seasons of Vanderpump Rules. But now things have changed: she’s 37; a married mother of two; a podcaster (with episodes streamed on Netflix); a host (The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 3 reunion); an author (three memoirs-slash-advice-books); and an internet personality (3.5 million Instagram followers).

And the most significant change from early-twenties-reality-days? She’s now an executive producer, calling the shots on her return to TV with a new Hulu series, coming July 29, titled House of Stassi.

Even the show’s name—a change from the previously announced Stassi Says—signals a departure from the self-absorbed persona that once defined her. The original title reminded her of “bossy Stassi.” Instead, she needed it to reflect her current life. “It’s not just about me. It’s about my family and my chosen friends…the people in my home that make up the house.”

But just as Schroeder has evolved, so has the reality genre. When Vanderpump Rules first started airing in 2013, dysfunction felt novel, not commodified (consider: Schroeder was the original girl on reality TV whose best friend slept with her ex). In today’s attention economy, cheating scandals, legal drama, and on-camera implosions are practically table stakes across every franchise. So did Schroeder still have what it takes to compete in the new landscape?

Yes, she reassures, because reality TV is her bread and butter; what she was raised on. “I started doing it when I was 16 years old—that is more than half of my life,” she says. (Her on-screen career began in 2005 with The Amazing Race, then TeenNick’s Queen Bees.) “[Reality TV] excites me. I feel passionately about it…I will bleed out for this.”

She still knows that audiences may be expecting a bit of that old birthday tyrant Stassi, but she’s standing strong in her growth and excited for fans to witness it. “The last time people saw me, I was this crazy girl…crashing out, dark passengering,” she says. “I work really hard. I try really hard and I’m constantly trying to build the most for my family, and I’m proud of what I’ve done in the last five years.”

But, she admits, there’s still some edge left: “I still crash out. It just looks different.”

Nowhere is Schroeder’s evolution more apparent than in front of the cameras. The lenses may be trained on the star—both Marie Claire’s from this shoot and Hulu’s, who are filming today to use as footage on the show—but Schroeder is focused on the people there supporting her: her husband, Beau Clark, her 5-year-old daughter, Hartford, and her sister, Georgi. During a particularly sweet moment, Schroeder has to stop shooting to console Hartford, who doesn’t want to leave set. (It’s not fully clear what Hartford’s more sad about saying goodbye to: her mom or the cameras.) While it’s clear Schroeder is well-versed in good TV and had a built-in audience, this second act didn’t just materialize for her. Networks weren’t clamoring to give her carte blanche on a new project. “That’s not how Hollywood works,” she explains. “You really have to fight for things.” It was also because her entré back into the spotlight came with a caveat: she didn’t just want to be cast, she wanted to be in the driver’s seat. “I was very certain that if I'm going to do reality TV again I need to be able to say, ‘No, you can't show this with my kids.’ I'm protecting my family at this point.”

So she set out on a three-year “arduous journey” of pitch meetings and developing sizzles, alongside two producing partners and friends from her Vanderpump Rules days, before landing with Scout Productions (the team behind Queer Eye) who were willing to let her step into an executive producer role. She was involved in every stage from funding to filming. “I have marched my ass into Disney studios and the Hulu offices countless times,” she says. And being an EP wasn’t meant to dull or censor. In fact, her pitch was that she knew what made the genre tick: “I can see where the cracks are. Why a certain show doesn't do well or why one does.”

The result is House of Stassi, which will mark the first time audiences will witness her world in nearly five years—not the heightened drama of her twenties, but something more intentional. “People have seen my lowest moments, my highest moments, all of it,” she says. “This is the first time they’re seeing what my life is actually like now.” That life, she says, includes a role-reversed household where she’s the primary breadwinner and Clark, 46, is the stay-at-home dad, and friendships that have fractured and reformed over time—including with former VPR co-star Katie Maloney.

“No one knows that we had a falling out for years,” she says of her relationship with Maloney. “Now we're rebuilding our friendship after growing in two completely different directions.” The situation with Maloney is exactly the kind of impetus for the show’s concept. “I don't see TV shows out there that explore how when you get to a certain age and you all choose different paths in life, how that affects your friendships and then how you come back together.” In developing the show she didn’t want the glossy escapism of shows like The Kardashians or a completely dark portrait of adulthood. “We’re starving for something that’s not just aspirational or depressing,” she says. Instead, she wanted something that is messy but functional, ambitious but grounded.

“This is what it’s really like when you grow up.”

By the time Schroeder and I chat next, in early March, production has wrapped on House of Stassi. She Zooms me from her home office; I’m expecting a shell of who I met on set—someone nursing an emotional hangover after weeks spent performing for the cameras. But she sounds almost buoyant from the experience.

“Damn, I feel good,” she says. “It felt like one long therapy session.” Reality TV, she argues, works best when it forces you to face head-on what you’d sweep under the rug in real life. “You have to say what you’re thinking out loud—otherwise there is no show,” she says. But this time there’s no drink-throwing-fist-fight-level antics. “We just got all of our shit out on the table in a constructive way, being respectful of each other while being open and vulnerable and honest.”

Those open and honest conversations extended not just to her castmates but within her marriage. She and Clark (previously a casting director) have been together since 2017, even giving fans a glimpse of their courtship during seasons 7 and 8 of Vanderpump Rules. But just because Clark has been a part of the reality circus before didn’t mean he wasn’t cautious to re-enter the fray. Schroeder was confident their relationship could withstand the pressures of TV: “We’re a solid, stable marriage,” she says. Still, she’s protective of him, especially when it comes to the scrutiny that can follow reality TV. She kept reminding him: “What people in the comment section say, it doesn't matter. We need to just know that we always have each other, we're each other's priority.” And like any good executive producer, she also advised him to focus on honesty “because that is what makes a good reality TV show. And that is what people relate to and want to see.”When I ask if there were boundaries that she and Clark had in place ahead of picking up cameras, whether around their relationship or their kids, she says no. Everything was fair game, until it wasn’t, an open-ended conversation. Mainly, because that’s how she likes to live her real life.

“I don't like living with skeletons in my closet. I don't like living with secrets. It stresses me the fuck out. I prefer to live very openly so everyone knows my shit,” she says. “Because then it's like, ‘you can't catch me on anything.’”

Speaking of skeletons in closets, it’s impossible to talk about Schroeder’s reality TV legacy without reckoning with how abruptly it unraveled. In 2019, she was on a career high: Vanderpump Rules had just aired a season that culminated in her on-camera proposal from Clark; she was a featured speaker at Glamour’s “Women of the Year” event; her book, Next Level Basic, landed on The New York Times best-seller list; and a filmed destination wedding in Italy was on the horizon.

Then, in June 2020, amid the Black Lives Matter movement, she was fired from Vanderpump Rules after past racist actions against a former co-star resurfaced. A wave of scrutiny followed about previous egregious actions and insensitive comments made on her podcast. She lost her management and brand deals, retreated from public life, married Clark in their backyard, and quietly had her first child. A 2021 appearance on Tamron Hall intended as a public reset landed with a thud. In 2022, the tone began to shift. Schroeder released her second book, Off With My Head, a more candid accounting of that period and the work she did to recognize her ignorant behavior, including intensively working with a diversity coach. Gradually, she re-entered the public sphere—reviving her podcast, launching a book tour, and picking up hosting gigs for series like Tell Me Lies and The Gilded Age. She even waded back into reality TV in 2025 with cameos on Vanderpump Villa.

“I didn’t realize how privileged I was,” she says of her past self. While it was a “powerful, extreme” year for her, she is thankful for the scrutiny and the firing, a forcing mechanism to grow. “I was incredibly selfish and chaotic and I just feel like I didn't consider other people before I did things or said things. And if I were still in Vanderpump Rules, I'd probably be the same person. This time away from reality TV has shaped who I am now.”

But that doesn’t mean she’s left it behind; the experience still shapes how she moves through the world. “There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about the canceling,” she says. “I have this insecurity: Is this person I'm meeting, do they think these things about me? And that's my burden to have, and I'm okay with it. But it's not like it just happened and then I came back. No, I will live with this for the rest of my life.”

Particularly, she’s glad she can now parent from a place of more mindfulness. “These are things that I can teach Hartford. These are things that I can make sure that she is now aware of.”

Like most moms, Schroeder is often thinking about what she passes on to her kids. (In addition to Hartford, she and Clark have a 2-year-old son, Messer.)

For one, that big birthday energy is now redirected to her daughter: “I'm just creating a birthday monster,” she says, adding with a laugh, “so I can live vicariously through her.”

But there’s also the not-so-sterling parts of her TV reputation that Schroeder will have to answer for. For now, Hartford has seen only a sliver of her Vanderpump Rules reel (her parents’ proposal scene) and Schroeder is not planning on introducing her to more any time soon. It’s not that she’s running from her past—Schroeder has made peace with the show that launched her. She hasn’t watched the recent reboot (she’s been busy) and avoids popping into SUR, joking it would feel “like Mickey Mouse going to Disneyland,” but ultimately she embraces it. “There was a time when I would try to escape it and be like, ‘I don't talk about Vanderpump Rules. Let's pretend it never happened.’ I'm past that phase. I'm now at the phase where I really appreciate it and I know that’s why I am where I am. I have a lot of fond memories of that experience and I know that it'll always follow me.”

But that doesn’t mean she wants her kids to take cues from it. “I don't want Hartford to watch it and then be like, ‘Oh, that's how we act when we're 20 years old.’ It's not. I was kind of a dick,” she says. “So I’m hoping she watches it once her frontal lobe is formed.”

It’s clear becoming a mom has fully evolved Schroeder’s grasp on fame and ambition. A younger Stassi might have pointed to Kim Kardashian as a career north star, now it’s Kris Jenner—someone who built a family empire. “When you become a mom, all you want to do is give your kids everything that you didn't have, or every possible advantage, set them up for success,” she says. She still regularly wavers about putting her kids in the harsh lights of Hollywood and agonizes over if she should be posting them on social media. But she says her decisions to film them for the show were cemented when she reframed reality TV in her mind as her “family business.”

“This is what I'm good at…I'm just hoping that, you know, I'm able to protect them throughout this process.” She hopes the exposure and the access from these current opportunities will help set them up for whatever path they choose when they grow up.

Still, Schroeder’s selective when it comes to her career: she has no interest in becoming an Andy Cohen-style host; won’t slap her name on just any product or collab; and is turning down book deals until she has something new to say. And while a stint on The Traitors seems perfectly attuned to her brand (murder, macabre, exposing liars) she’s definitely not interested in going on a competition show. She hasn’t even watched it. “I just go based on gut feelings…does this make me feel excited and peaceful? And when I imagine going on a challenge game show I get a pit [in my stomach].” Not to mention, Traitors is an NBCU entity, and she doesn’t trust the network anymore. “It would be like throwing me to the wolves.”

She looks to peers like Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner as inspiration for what Bravo girls can accomplish, but she can’t be sure what the future of content creation looks like. “The old rules are out,” she says. “There are no new rules yet.”

For now, she’s focused on what she’s already done: getting House of Stassi made, filmed, and on air. “Even if it were to flop—which it won't—but even if it were, I'm so proud of myself to have been able to make that happen. That's a win.” It might not be her birthday, but that sounds like reason enough to celebrate.

Photographer Joelle Grace Taylor | Stylist Maren Taylor | Hair Stylist Bradley Leake | Makeup Artist Diane Buzzetta | Creative Direction Alexa Wiley | Entertainment Director Neha Prakash | Producer Erin Corbett

Lucy Halliday was a devout Margaret Atwood fan well before she landed the lead role in The Testaments, Hulu’s sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale series. The 22-year-old grew up reading titles like The Penelopiad (which she devoured amid an obsession with mythology); and remembers fondly the day her friend brought a copy of The Testaments to school in 2019.

“The moment this job came up, I was so enthralled by it,” Halliday tells Marie Claire over Zoom in early April. “I wanted to audition so badly—and I really wanted them to hire me.”

Inevitably, the newcomer landed a leading role with a self-tape audition. She stars as Daisy, a teenage girl from Toronto who goes undercover in the dystopian, theocratic Gilead as a convert of the Pearl Girl missionaries. Upon her arrival, she’s assigned one of the commander’s daughters as a mentor, Agnes (One Battle After Another breakout Chase Infiniti), and the series explores the depths of their relationship and the empowerment they discover through sisterhood.

It’s clear that Halliday shares Daisy’s rebellious spirit. The up-and-comer, who hails from Paisley, Scotland, begged her parents to let her do theater, and ultimately deferred studying medicine when she booked her first-ever on-screen role in the 2022 BAFTA-nominated indie film Blue Jeans. “How I got my first job was quite gutsy, a bit like Daisy,” she says. “There was an open call for a film that I saw online, and I didn't really match any of the description that they'd said, but I sent an email anyway, being like, ‘I'm perfect for this!’”

She brings that tenacity to her performance. For eagle-eyed fans who spotted resemblances between the actresses and thought Daisy was June's daughter, showrunner Bruce Miller has debunked the theories, but Halliday still delivers as feistiness feels resonant of how Elisabeth Moss portrayed The Handmaid’s Tale’s heroine, June. It’s unavoidable in the work they did together in The Testaments—as is Halliday’s ability to hold her own opposite the Emmy-winner. “Getting to share the screen with her was a real privilege, and getting to spar with her was the joy,” Halliday says of Moss, who also executive-produced the series. “She was a real source of support for all of us because she's an encyclopedia of knowledge when it comes to this world.”

With Halliday and Infiniti now ushering in a new generation into that universe, and the first three episodes of The Testaments out on Hulu, below, Halliday tells Marie Claire about what she knew going into the project, how she bonded with her castmates, and the message she hopes the show sends.

Maire Claire: What was it like playing a character who has such a huge secret and is trying her best to perform herself?

LH: The duality of Daisy really appealed to me from the very beginning because, especially in the world of Gilead, everyone's having to be very pious and composed all of the time, but then to have a character that has an alter ego and you get to explore a whole other realm of her was so exciting. I was continually trying to find moments where I could bring the Toronto side to the Gilead side—not lose the Daisy that existed before she came here. That was very important to me because, when you go somewhere new or you change over time, you don't lose your roots, you don't lose where you've come from. We've all entered a room or a place where we felt we've had to change who we are slightly or conform a little bit or hide who we are a little bit, so I think that being a universal experience definitely was something I drew on and was keen to explore more.

MC: Daisy has such a rich innerworld and backstory—considering she’s an outsider in Gilead and had a normal teenhood before becoming an incognito Pearl Girl. How did you get into her head?

LH: I do have a Daisy playlist. Playlists are something that I think I've done for every job I've done. They really allow me to get inside of a head of a character. But what's great about Daisy and this show was not only does she have two sides, so already there's going to be two very different styles of music or energies that are going to be added to the playlist, but so much occurs throughout the season that she really does experience so many different emotions. So, the variety of music really was quite incredible. It was interesting going back and looking through at the very end and being like, "Oh, my gosh, she's really gone on a journey here."

I'll quite often, on the way in to work in the morning, have it [be what] I'm listening to, just to get into the mindset. Especially in the show, when you are jumping about, not just storylines, but locations, whether she's in Toronto or Gilead, to put on the music and transport back to that specific place was so helpful.

MC: What was on your playlist for when Daisy was in Toronto versus when she became a Pearl Girl?

LH: I remember there being Doja Cat’s “Boss Bitch” at one point. I've got “The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan; I think that's when she comes in. I've got “Rebel Rebel,” David Bowie, “The Wind” by Cat Stevens, “212,” Azealia Banks. I've actually got The Cranberries, which is funny because this was before The Cranberries was ever added to the soundtrack, so I was on the same wavelength. It was a real mix of songs; they didn't really need to have rhyme or reason. It was just if I listened to it and felt, This is Daisy, it would go in the playlist.

MC: Going into the project, did you know you were going to have screen time with Elisabeth Moss?

Lucy Halliday: I didn't know until I'd already had the job Bruce [Miller, showrunner] texted me to tell me before he then sent the updated script, and I was ecstatic because Elisabeth Moss is the embodiment of The Handmaid’s Tale. And aside from that, she's just a phenomenal actor. I really treasured the moments I got to share with Elisabeth.

MC: Working with her as an executive producer, what questions did you end up having for her that you didn’t expect to have?

LH: I do remember the best piece of advice she gave us was, not like a singular statement, but it was rather [that] she reassured us and gave us a space to step into these characters and to step into this world. I know both of us, Chase [Infiniti] and myself, we were nervous coming into this because we were aware of the weight of responsibility of how well The Handmaid’s Tale had done and we didn't want to mess up. She basically was like, "It's okay. You've got this,” and let us step into these characters and pass the mantle.

MC: When did you find out that you and Chase would be on-screen partners?

LH: I found out immediately after I got the job that Chase had the job—and it was an immediate friendship, an immediate kinship. That was so lovely to have from the outset; to have a support in someone and paralleled experience with someone was so crucial to the overall experience I ended up having.

MC: What surprised you the most about working with Chase?

LH: Something I've learned from Chase throughout this process was the power of advocating for yourself and speaking up for yourself on set. That's something she was continually encouraging me to do. It was something I noticed had already transformed in me by the end of filming because I was aware that I was utilizing that facet a lot more. I've been on sets since then and it's the same. I hold myself differently or I speak up differently now, and it's not something that I have as much qualms about approaching—and that's because of Chase.

MC: That’s so great to hear. Can you recall a moment on set of The Testaments where you felt compelled to advocate for yourself?

LH: I don't think I can recall a singular moment. It's more just about continually keeping the belief that you're not an inconvenience for advocating for what you need. Like, if you need five more minutes to reset between a take—because ultimately that's going to allow you to do the job better. That's key to a lot of it: You're not just advocating for something for yourself, it's actually going to benefit you professionally and the performance, which ultimately is the end goal for everyone.

MC: Stories about female teenage rebellion have been beloved and inspiring audiences for decades, and The Testaments is the latest series to join that pantheon. What do you think it is about those stories that resonate?

LH: I think what's going to resonate with audiences is actually just the universal experience of adolescence and how transcendent it is of location or culture or upbringing. We've all shared these same moments and these same milestones and felt these emotions at one point or another.

I think also just the idea of sisterhood and community and the power that we find in having each other and the power that can come when we come together, I think is going to resonate with audiences. We see it in the show and I hope it inspires individuals in real life to band together, to form communities, to use their voices and try to enact change because that's such a powerful thing, too.

MC: I love that you mentioned the universality of the coming-of-age experience in the show. What coming-of-age movies, shows, or books have stuck with you?

LH: Girlhood by Céline Sciamma. I really love that film. Lady Bird. I obviously watched Normal People when it came out, when I was in school. I think that just further reiterates how important art is in the coming of age [experience] because we remember the stories or books or TV shows or whatever that we watched and we felt resonated, we felt seen and we felt represented. It would be lovely to think if this show can have the same impact on someone coming of age right now.

MC: The crux of the show is really the iconic line, “Don’t let the bastards get you down.” How might you be taking that, and Daisy, with you after working on the show?

LH: I think it is essentially how important it is to remain hopeful, and how important it is to be there for each other, and to band together because we are powerful as a team, and that it is possible to make a change, whether it be on a small, minute level or a grand scale. We need to keep hope because without hope we have nothing.

MC: As you said, sisterhood is a big theme of the show. While you shot a lot of intense material, what were some of your favorite memories working with the other women, either off or on set?

LH: It was like being back in school. There was so much chatter and laughter, which was so great. I remember going to Medieval Times—We really liked Medieval Times. I don't know who suggested it. We also saw Superman like four times in the cinema. We had dinner together just about every weekend. It was moments like that that really further reiterated how much of a community we'd found in each other, and that was really beautiful.

I think having those girls really informed the experience that I had in this job, and allowed the levity, because we did have some heavy scenes, and they are difficult to film. You are pouring yourself into them and giving them your all, but having people who you can take a step back from those scenes with, and be supported and be held, was so important. It allowed that transition between reality and fiction to really take place, because you didn't need to take those feelings home with you at the end of the day. You had the girls to decompress with and add some laughter.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

This story contains main spoilers for The Testaments. As if the real world doesn’t feel dystopian enough right now, Hulu is bringing us back into the world of Gilead. The Testaments, based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, has officially arrived on our screens. The series is billed as an “evolution” of its predecessor, continuing the story and world we’ve come to know over six seasons of The Handmaid’s Tale. This time around, a new generation of young women is coming of age inside Gilead’s oppressive regime, under the unsparing glare of Commanders, Wives, Eyes, and Aunts (including Ann Dowd’s Aunt Lydia, reprising her role from the original series).

Read on to learn more about the new young cast of The Testaments—and how their characters fit into the show’s bigger world.

Chase Infiniti as Agnes

Agnes, formerly known as Hannah, is technically a character Handmaid’s Tale viewers have met before: She’s the eldest daughter of June, aka Offred (Elisabeth Moss), who was taken from her as the Gilead regime came to power. When the original series ended, Agnes was still in Gilead, having been raised by others inside their oppressive, fundamentalist government. The Testaments (re)introduces Agnes as a dutiful and pious young woman attending Aunt Lydia’s preparatory school for future wives.

Infiniti, 25, made her feature-film debut in 2025’s Best Picture-winning One Battle After Another, starring as Willa, the resilient daughter of Leonardo DiCaprio and Teyana Taylor’s vigilante characters. Rapper Tyler, the Creator cast her in his music video for “Darling, I,” after seeing her in the trailer for that film. Infiniti also appeared in the 2024 Apple TV limited series Presumed Innocent, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Ruth Negga.

Instagram: @chaseinfiniti

Lucy Halliday as Daisy

Daisy is a newcomer to Gilead. When she arrives, she appears to be a new convert of the Pearl Girl missionaries, after growing up in Canada. Agnes is assigned as her mentor, but unbeknownst to Agnes and their classmates, Daisy is actually working undercover for the Mayday rebel group. Over the course of the series, Agnes and Daisy's bond "becomes the catalyst that will upend their past, their present, and their future," according to the show's official description.

Halliday, 22, is a Scottish actress who earned acclaim (and a Scottish BAFTA award) for her role in the ‘80s-set lesbian drama Blue Jean. She also appeared in the 2025 musician biopic California Schemin’, directed by James McAvoy.

Instagram: @lucyhallidayy

Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia

Does Aunt Lydia really need an introduction? If you watched The Handmaid’s Tale, her reputation precedes her: As a high-ranking Aunt in Gilead, she’s responsible for the instruction (read: indoctrination) of women inside the country’s brutally patriarchal system. In The Testaments, she runs the preparatory school attended by Agnes and Daisy, which is described as “a place where obedience is instilled brutally and always with divine justification.” However, the sequel series implies she has changed over time—and will call into question just how much she believed in Gilead's mission.

Dowd, 70, is known, of course, for portraying Aunt Lydia in The Handmaid’s Tale, a role that won her an Emmy Award. She’s a veteran actress whose film and TV credits include The Americans, The Leftovers, Hereditary, Garden State, and The Manchurian Candidate.

Instagram: @realanndowd

Rowan Blanchard as Shunammite

Shunammite is a classmate of Agnes. A pampered teen from a prominent Gilead family, her status affords her a certain level of respect and power amongst her peers.

Blanchard, 24, came to fame as a child actress—she appeared in Spy Kids: All the Time in the World and then played Riley Matthews on the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World from 2014 to 2017. More recently, she’s appeared in The Goldbergs, A Wrinkle in Time, Snowpiercer, and Poker Face.

Instagram: @rowanblanchard

Mattea Conforti as Becka

Becka is another student at Aunt Lydia’s school, but one who’s more working-class, comparatively speaking, than her peers. (Her father is a dentist.) She’s also questioning if she wants the wives-and-mothers future she and her peers are being groomed for.

Conforti, 19, has appeared on Broadway as the titular character in Matilda the Musical and as young Anna in Frozen—and she also provided the voice of young Elsa on screen in Frozen 2. Other acting credits include Power, NOS4A2, and The Many Saints of Newark.

Instagram: @matteaconforti

Mabel Li as Aunt Vidala

Aunt Vidala is a stern disciplinarian and the heir apparent to the women’s sphere of Gilead. That authority is tested as unrest begins among her students.

Li has appeared on TV series like Safe Home and Careless. She has also performed theater in her native Australia, including The Seagull at the Sydney Theatre Co.

Instagram: @mabel_liii

Amy Seimetz as Paula

Paula is a Gilead woman whose recent marriage to a powerful Commander has raised her social status. However, that new position is complicated by her relationship with her new stepdaughter, Agnes.

Seimetz, 44, is an actor and filmmaker who can be seen in films and shows like The Killing, Sweet Tooth, Pet Sematary, Alien: Covenant, and No Sudden Move. She also co-created the TV adaptation of The Girlfriend Experience, directed two episodes of the 2024 Mr. and Mrs. Smith TV reboot, and wrote and directed both the 2012 film Sun Don’t Shine and 2020’s She Dies Tomorrow. (You may also know her as the initial director of HBO's The Idol.)

Brad Alexander as Garth

Garth is a young Commander who becomes involved in the personal lives of the girls he’s sworn to protect.

Alexander is a British model and actor who portrayed Edward on season 4 of Netflix’s You. He was also seen in the TV series Surface and Lynley.

Instagram: @bradalexanderactor

Zarrin Darnell-Martin as Aunt Gabbana

Gabbana is another Aunt and a firm proponent of Gilead values. A strict and uncompromising educator, she’s also Aunt Vidala's right-hand.

Darnell-Martin, 42, is a Canadian actress who has appeared on TV’s Ginny and Georgia, The Good Doctor, and Fellow Travelers.

Instagram: @zarrindm

Eva Foote as Aunt Estee

If there’s such a thing as a “cool Aunt” in this world, it’s Aunt Estee. She’s the youngest Aunt at the school, and her energy and kindness endear her to her students.

Foote has appeared in Murdoch Mysteries, the short film Sally (which she also wrote), and Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy.

Instagram: @evateresefoote

Isolde Ardies as Hulda

Another classmate and fellow “plum” at Aunt Lydia’s school, Hulda is sweet and friendly but somewhat naive, and her frank observations and optimism have earned her loyal friends.

Ardies has featured in the TV series Ruby and the Veil and Netflix's Wayward, which also starred Toni Collette.

Instagram: @isoldeardies

Shechinah Mpumlwana as Jehosheba

Jehosheba (seen above, far left) is a competitive classmate from a respected Gilead family who is relentless in her pursuit of a high-status marriage.

Mpumlwana can be seen in 13: The Musical, Creeped Out, The Fire Inside, and has voiced characters on kids’s shows like PJ Masks and Blues Clues & You.

Instagram: @shechinahhhh

Birva Pandya as Miriam

A girl on the cusp of womanhood, Miriam (above, third from left) struggles under the pressure of the marriage season.

Pandya has appeared on TV series like The Umbrella Academy, Northern Rescue, Transplant, and The Institute.

Instagram: @birvaapandya

Kira Guloien as Rosa

Rosa is a caring, dedicated Martha (the domestic servants in the Gilead social structure) who acts as a maternal figure to Agnes. She’s a much-needed source of love in an otherwise cold household.

Guloien is a Canadian actress who has featured in Women Talking, The Good Doctor, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and The Boys spin-off series, Gen V.

Instagram: @kiraguloien

Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne

Ahead of The Testaments's premiere, Moss played coy about whether her The Handmaid's Tale character would return. Perhaps it's no surprise that yes, she does: The woman once known as Offred is now a revolutionary working with the Mayday resistance group out of Canada. She's the one who sends Daisy across the border to pose undercover in Gilead.

Moss, 43, has won two Emmy Awards (for Handmaid's Tale and Top of the Lake). She also played iconic copywriter Peggy Olson on Mad Men and first daughter Zoey Bartlett on The West Wing. More recently, she's appeared in the series Shining Girls, The Veil, and Imperfect Women.

This story contains spoilers ahead for The Testaments. It's time to head back to Gilead — but rest assured, you've never seen it quite like this.

Over the course of six seasons, Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale adaptation told the story of June Osborne (Elisabeth Moss), a woman forced to serve as a concubine-esque "handmaid" after the United States falls to the theocratic dystopian state of Gilead. Although June eventually escapes and becomes a key member of the resistance, the battle isn't over by the time that its sequel series, The Testaments, begins.

In contrast to the grounded adult world of The Handmaid's Tale, The Testaments tells a coming-of-age story. Set against the backdrop of pastel uniforms and The Cranberries needle drops, the show follows two teenage girls (played by One Battle After Another's Chase Infiniti and Lucy Halliday) whose connection has massive implications in the battle to bring down Gilead once and for all. The Handmaid's Tale's Ann Dowd will also play a major role in the series, reprising her role as the imposing Aunt Lydia.

If you're curious about The Testaments but didn't finish The Handmaid's Tale or need a refresher, you're in luck! Below, we've rounded up everything you need to know before jumping into the new show.

How did 'The Handmaid's Tale' end?

In the penultimate episode of The Handmaid's Tale, June, Serena Joy Waterford (Yvonne Strahovski), and Commander Joseph Lawrence (Bradley Whitford) conspire to sneak a bomb onto a plane full of high-ranking Commanders. It successfully explodes and kills the men on board, sparking a revolution that led to the Mayday rebels reclaiming control of Boston.

June reunites with many of her friends and family, including her mother, Holly (Cherry Jones), and younger daughter, Nichole. (Nichole is the biological daughter of June and Commander Nicholas Blame, with whom she had an affair when she was forced into being the Waterfords's handmaid.) However, by the end of the show, she is still searching for her and her ex-husband Luke's (O-T Fagbenle) daughter, Hannah, who Gilead kidnapped.

What is 'The Testaments' about?

Based on The Handmaid's Tale author Margaret Atwood's 2019 sequel novel of the same name, The Testaments follows two teenage girls growing up in Gilead: Commander's daughter Agnes (Infiniti) and newcomer Daisy (Halliday). Unbeknownst to Agnes, Daisy is actually a spy sent from Toronto, Canada, to gather information for Mayday.

Together, they attend Aunt Lydia's elite preparatory academy for girls. As the show's official synopsis teases, Agnes and Daisy's "bond becomes the catalyst that will transform their lives."

Who is Agnes in 'The Testaments?' Is Agnes June's Daughter?

Agnes is June's older daughter, Hannah. Renamed and raised within Gilead, she's now a teenager being groomed for her impending arranged marriage. Over the course of The Testaments, Agnes's friendship with the rebellious Daisy and the grim realities of her future force her to question her surroundings.

During a March 31 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments showrunner Bruce Miller said that he cast Infiniti in the role, in part, because her performance reminded him of Moss. "She was unpredictable. I didn't know what she was going to do—not in a scary way, but I just didn't have any idea what she was going to say, if she was going to go left or right," Miller explained. "It was the same thing with Elisabeth Moss; she's not volatile, but she is unpredictable."

Who is Daisy in 'The Testaments?' Is Daisy June's Daughter Nichole?

Daisy is a typical teenager from Toronto, Canada, who discovers that her parents were actually allies of Mayday, and is thrust into going undercover with the rebel group. In Gilead, she pretends to be a convert of the missionaries known as the Pearl Girls and relays information through various networks.

In The Testaments novel, Daisy is revealed to be June's younger daughter, Nichole. However, because The Handmaid's Tale show takes place over a different time frame, that isn't the case in the show.

Whereas the book takes place 15 years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale, Miller recently told Variety that the show is set "around three or four years after" its predecessor. Nichole is still a toddler at the end of The Handmaid's Tale series. Because of that, Miller explained, it didn't make sense to cast her as a teenager in The Testaments. "People just aren't the right ages," he said. "Nichole is not going to high school, and so we had to make changes for that."

He explained how the series justified the "practical" shifts to Daisy's character in an interview with Gold Derby. "I was very reluctant to make any changes," he said. "[Daisy] does seem a lot like the Nichole in the book, and even the way June treats her is a lot like the Nichole in the book. [But], if I was June, whether I would send in my daughter, and I think her sending in Daisy is a little easier for me to understand [now]. In that way, it took away something that always seemed like an unbelievable sacrifice."

Is Aunt Lydia in 'The Testaments?'

Yes, Aunt Lydia will play a key role in The Testaments. The novel explains that Aunt Lydia was actually part of Mayday, having been forced to leave her career as a lawyer when the United States fell. Although The Handmaid's Tale originally portrays Aunt Lydia as a true believer in Gilead, she became disillusioned with it in later seasons. In the penultimate episode of The Handmaid's Tale, Aunt Lydia knowingly steps aside to let June and her allies plot against Gilead, setting the stage for her to fight the system from the inside in The Testaments.

"Lydia had time between The Handmaid's Tale and the beginning of The Testaments to really change and accept that she had to change who she is," Dowd told The Hollywood Reporter at The Testaments's premiere. "So we see a different side of Lydia—a softer and gentler person dealing with younger girls, still the girls that she loves who have always defined her life."

Is June in 'The Testaments?'

In an exciting surprise, Elisabeth Moss reprises her role as June in The Testaments, despite being tight-lipped about whether she would appear on the show, in addition to her role as an executive producer.

When we last saw June in The Handmaid's Tale, she was actively working with Mayday, in hopes of reuniting with Hannah. At the end of The Testaments's first episode, she's still taking refuge in Canada. A brief shot reveals her hanging out at the store owned by Daisy's parents, and Daisy briefly passes her by.

By the third episode, June is heavily featured, as she convinces Daisy to go undercover in Gilead. Her presence is felt even off-screen throughout the season.

Miller told Deadline why it made sense for June to return to The Testaments. "I think in some ways, June is such an anchor for the character of Agnes that I don’t think you could have the story without June, even if there was no Handmaid’s Tale," he told the outlet. "Elisabeth Moss has been our creative partner since the very, very beginning, and in every way. So I think that having her as an executive producer, you feel the presence of June all the time. Fortunately, we were able to move our schedules around and do everything that we could to get her into the show a little."

He added, "Bringing back people from Handmaid’s Tale into this world to continue their story is just such a rich pleasure...I think it’s a pleasure, but it also rounds out the world in a way that you understand how you feel about Gilead because you have June there going, ‘Oh yeah, I used to feel that way too.'"

Spoilers for all episodes of Love Overboard ahead. Hulu's new reality show Love Overboard is just what we need among the current dating-show landscape: something frothy, hot, and unserious. Hosted by Gabby Windey and produced by Alex Cooper, the series drops 22 beautiful singles onto a mega-yacht off the coast of Malta, where four couples get to live the life of leisure as Topsiders, and the rest have to live below and serve them as Downsiders. Through challenges and dates, the Downsiders can fight for the chance to claim one of the eight Topside spots. And yes, if a Downsider shoots their shot and forms a love triangle, someone will have to go overboard.

After eight episodes of flirting and scheming, three couples were left in the running for the grand prize, a trip around the world worth $100,000. When it was time to choose the most compatible couple, Gia Aldisert and Tim Demirjian received the cast's votes. Though it took them a bit to couple up, their growing bond left the cast predicting they'd have a great future together.

So, what happened to Gia and Tim after winning Love Overboard? Read on for everything to know about the couple, including whether they're still dating a year after the show (and whether they've gone on that prize vacation).

What are Gia Aldisert and Tim Demirjian's ages and jobs?

Though they grew up on opposite sides of the country, both Gia Aldisert and Tim Demirijian have entrepreneurial mindsets. 30-year-old Tim grew up outside of Boston; he now lives in L.A. as a content creator and the co-founder and CEO of all-natural vodka-seltzer brand Dezo.

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Gia is a luxury realtor and influencer known for her TikTok advice. Not only did Gia have a following before joining Love Overboard, but it also turns out the reality-TV world is surprisingly small. She's the best friend and former roommate of Iris Kendall from Love Island USA season 7.

What happens to Gia and Tim on 'Love Overboard'?

Upon boarding the Chakra, Gia and Tim have different trajectories. Tim gets to pair up with Enna and stay Topside, but unlucky Gia is sent to the Downside. As Tim's getting to know Enna, Gia forms a connection with another Downsider, Beau. Still, Tim and Gia find chances to chat when she comes to the deck to serve meals, much to the dismay of Enna.

In episode 2, the dynamics flip during a Sink or Swim challenge, where the men get a chance to "rescue" the Topside women. Andrew successfully saves Enna, but he quickly tells her he's interested in bringing Sofia up with him. When she's given the chance to stay topside with Andrew or go downside with Tim, Enna chooses to keep her spot topside, since she knows Tim has a wandering eye. In the same challenge, Beau saves Lexi, who chooses to go Downside with her man, James. So Beau chooses to bring Gia to the Upside.

Of course, in episode 3, Tim lays on the charm with Gia and receives a date card from host Gabby. In a confessional, Gia admits that her and Tim's humor matches, and they can talk for hours, while Beau appeals to her because he's so calming. During their grape-stomping winery date, Gia draws a line at kissing Tim out of respect for Beau, though she's "dying" to kiss him. They later chat over wine about their "immediate" spark, as Tim asserts that he's done with his fuckboi era and ready to settle down.

Gia's extremely torn before that night's plank ceremony, and even cries that someone's going to end up getting hurt. As Beau and Tim stand 30 feet over the ocean, Gia says, "I'm struggling right now with the battle of my head and my heart. In the past, I've always gone with my head. Today I'm gonna be going with my heart." After she dumps Beau (literally), Tim hugs her as she cries and tells her, "I promise you, I'm not going to hurt you."

The rest of Love Overboard is mostly smooth sailing for the couple, as other cast members bring the drama (cough David, Val, and Lo cough). Even during the beach party with the exiles, Gia and Beau only talk to get closure. There is a hiccup when Tim's fuckboi tendencies come out during a game of spin the bottle, but he listens to Gia's concerns. He even cries during a confessional when he says he never wants to make her feel disrespected or upset.

In episode 8, they're among the five couples who get to stay on the boat after a compatibility vote. The pair gets to have a date night off the yacht in Malta, but the men also have to go through a dating-show tradition: getting grilled by friends and family. Gia's twin brother, Louie, comes through for a tearful reunion with his sister, and gets directly to it, asking Tim if he's ready for "day-to-day Gia" rather than yacht Gia. We don't hear Tim's answer, but when Gia later tells Louie that Tim told her he was falling in love with her, Louie responds, "Was he drinking champagne?" (Love Louie. Stan Louie.) Louie does give Gia his blessing, but he's very realistic about them possibly being a fling.

In Love Overboard's ninth and final episode, the final three couples are narrowed down to Gia and Tim, David and Val, and James and Lexi. The debates about who should win get pretty brutal; David even votes against Gia and Tim because they haven't had sex yet. (Gia's furious response is legendary.) The final decision comes down to the exiled cast's votes, and when it's all over, Gia and Tim walk away with the prize trip.

Are Gia and Tim still together after 'Love Overboard'?

Though all episodes of Love Overboard landed on Hulu on March 26, Gia and Tim, it took a week for the pair to drop a big hint about their relationship status. On April 1, the pair shared a throwback clip from last Halloween, where they wear couples vampire costumes as Tim lip-syncs to "My Chick Bad" by Ludacris. Though the date of the post is suspect, they've since shared more couples content, so it looks like they're still going strong.

A few days earlier, Tim gave an interview to PEOPLE where he coyly spoke on their relationship. "Obviously, a lot happened on that boat that was incredible and amazing, and a lot of stuff has happened post-show, post-boat, real life that's been equally amazing," he said, adding, "[Gia] lives down the street from me so, yeah, we spend a lot of time together."

Tim also revealed that the pair haven't actually gotten to go on their prize trip, but that they plan to "very soon."

"As far as the trip — that end montage of all the photos and stuff was really just a funny gag thing that we did with production. We were just going through Malta and eating a bunch of food and taking fun pictures. ...From after filming until now, we had to keep a lot of things very much under wraps. [Now] we can plan the trip."

For the past two years, Hulu's Paradise has become the must-watch show of the winter. Created by This Is Us boss Dan Fogelman, Paradise started as a political murder-mystery and quickly expanded into a dystopian thriller, following power struggles between climate-apocalypse survivors living in a massive underground bunker. Season 2 expanded the world even more, introducing survivors outside the bunker as Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) ventured into the world to find his wife.

After several weeks of heart-wrenching (at times meandering) episodes, season 2's dual timelines finally merged in the explosive March 30 finale, which saw the death of a major character and a major cliffhanger. Luckily, there have already been updates about where the Emmy-nominated series will go from here. Below, read on for a breakdown of everything we know about Paradise season 3 so far.

Has 'Paradise' been renewed for season 3?

Yes! On March 17, 2026, Hulu announced that Paradise will return for season 3, dropping the news two weeks before the season 3 finale. Along with the announcement, the streamer revealed that season 2 had amassed 30 million hours of viewership so far, along with an additional 25 million hours for season 1.

When will 'Paradise' season 3 be released?

Though Hulu has yet to announce an official release date for Paradise season 3, it looks like the series is set to continue its annual cadence for new episodes. On March 21, nine days before the season 2 finale even dropped, creator Dan Fogelman shared on Instagram that the show's writers's room had already completed the scripts for season 3.

"We finished writing s3 of Paradise," Fogelman wrote, alongside an airplane selfie with the writers. "This very fun, very talented room has completed the assignment. Vegas here we come."

Some more good news: Speaking to The Los Angeles Times after the season 2 finale, Fogelman revealed that Paradise would start filming season 3 in mid-April 2026, and hoped the new episodes would arrive "even quicker" than season 2. If he gets his wish, we can expect Paradise season 3 to arrive in January 2027.

What happened in the 'Paradise' season 2 finale? (Who is Alex? Who is User X? Is [spoiler] really dead?)

How did 'Paradise' season 2 end, including who is Alex and is Sinatra really dead?

Major spoilers ahead for the Paradise season 2 finale. If your head's still spinning from the season 2 finale, "Exodus," let's quickly go over everything that will play a major factor in season 3. "Exodus" reveals that the mysterious "Alex" is an AI-powered quantum computer that manipulates time. Before the bunker, Sinatra killed Henry Miller (Patrick Fischler) because he thought that AI time distortion was too dangerous. (Can't say I disagree with him.) Of course, Sinatra continues with the ALEX project in hopes of saving humanity, and, by Paradise's present-day timeline, the computer (which apparently still hasn't been activated) is predicting thunderstorms and earthquakes (and deaths) and causing "anomalies," such as Link (Thomas Doherty) somehow being Sinatra's long-deceased son Dylan.

Meanwhile, "Exodus" is the evacuation order for the bunker, which comes as the nuclear reactors powering the habitat start to melt down. After what seems like everyone makes it out, Sinatra sacrifices herself to close the bunker doors and make sure that the radiation blast doesn't get outside. She does this because she realizes that another ALEX prediction was true: User X, a.k.a. Xavier, is meant to get to the separate ALEX bunker to activate it and save the world, presumably with the help of his nosebleed-twin Link. (ALEX's bunker is 100 miles away under the Denver Airport, so it didn't explode.)

Who in the 'Paradise' cast will return for season 3?

Despite the main bunker literally exploding, Paradise season 2 had a surprisingly low death count. Most of the main cast will likely return, including Sterling K. Brown (Xavier Collins), Enuka Okuma (Teri Collins), Sarah Shahi (Dr. Gabriela Torabi), Nicole Brydon Bloom (Jane), Krys Marshall (Nicole Robinson), Aliyah Mastin (Presley Collins), Percy Daggs IV (James Collins), and Charlie Evans (Jeremy Bradford). Season 2 addition Thomas Doherty (Link/Dylan) will also presumably have a massive role.

As for the dearly departed (R.I.P. Sinatra, Annie, Anders, Henry Miller, and Geiger), characters on Dan Fogelman shows never really stay dead. Likely, Julianne Nicholson, Shailene Woodley, Erik Svedberg-Zelman, Patrick Fischler, and Michael McGrady will return in at least one flashback. The same can also be said for James Marsden (President Cal Bradford) and Jon Beavers (Billy Pace).

Who are the new cast members in 'Paradise' season 3?

We haven't met everyone in and outside of the bunker quite yet. In late April 2026, as production presumably began on season 3, a big name was added to the cast. Deadline reported that Emmy-winner Julianna Margulies has been cast in a recurring role. The word is still out on who longtime TV star (known for her roles in The Good Wife, The Morning Show, and ER, among other hits) will be playing.

What will 'Paradise' season 3 be about?

Prepare for Paradise to go full Lost (whether you like it or not) in season 3. Speaking to The Los Angeles Times, Fogelman teased that season 2 sets viewers up for a lot of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff in season 3, as the show will "definitely play with time" as it leans fully into sci-fi. With that, it's safe to say that Xavier's new mission to activate ALEX will give viewers answers to the many questions that the season 2 finale left us with.

However, it may take a while for Xavier to make the dangerous 100-mile trip. "That’s a big part of what we explore in season 3," Fogelman told the outlet. "He just got his nuclear family back, plus two white kids. He got back everything he’s wanted, and then a lunatic billionaire is telling you that 100 miles away under the Denver Airport, there’s this thing that sounds crazy. It’s not necessarily a scenario where you run off and do it tomorrow. Part of the journey of the third season is: What is he doing with that information? And does he resist it?"

Some other teasers from the interview re other characters: The bunker dwellers (even Xavier) will have to adapt to roughing it in actual dystopia for the first time. We're "meant to believe" that Link is somehow Sinatra's son, though it's "a tricky question because of where we’re going on a science fiction level." Also, Annie and Link's baby will play a big part in season 3. "Or, I should say, the child plays a huge part in season 3," corrects Fogelman, before hinting at that timey-wimey stuff.

Another big question for Paradise season 3 is whether or not Jane is alive. Though she was still passed out on Torabi's shower floor at the start of episode 8, after the shrink stabbed her in episode 7, "Exodus" includes a flash of Torabi's empty shower right before the bunker blows up. The rule of TV is that a character isn't dead until you see the body, but even Paradise's team seems to be mixed on the assassin's fate.

Following episode 7's release, Nicole Brydon Bloom did an interview with PEOPLE, treating the stabbing as Jane's death. And in his postmortem THR interview, Hoberg said of the scene, "She seems pretty dead to me. We intend her to be dead." But in his Los Angeles Times interview, Fogelman teased, "It sure seems like [she's dead]. But there is that shot at the end that is meant to make you wonder." Guess we'll have to wait until the season 3 cast announcement to see whether there's a payoff to Jane's intense backstory.

Will season 3 be the final season of 'Paradise'?

Since Paradise's debut, Fogelman has been clear that he had a three-season plan for Paradise already mapped out. "It’s going to be a three-season show, I know where it goes. I know what the shape of each season is," he told The Hollywood Reporter in January 2025. "Each season of the show is a slightly different show, within the same show with the same characters."

As of February 24, the three-season plan seems to still be on track. John Hoberg, executive producer and writer on the series, spoke with THR and shared the writers's process on season 3. When asked about a possible fourth season of Paradise, Hoberg said, "We know what the end [of season 3] is, and it’s an end that would make it very difficult to make a season four come afterward."

Though I'm still skeptical at the thought of a streamer letting one of its most successful shows end without milking it for all it's worth, Fogelman is sticking with the three-season plan so far. When asked about the pressure to continue the show further, the creator told LAT, "There is always pressure. But I try to resist the pressure because I think it’s the right way to tell the story. Sterling [K. Brown] feels similarly. I was very clear from the beginning that I had a three-season plan. I don’t imagine a world where I would shift that plan. And, frankly, what we do in Season 3 doesn’t leave room for it."

For the past few weeks, the ‘90s have been back in a big way as the world has become engrossed in Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette.

The biographical drama delved into the couple’s political-dynasty scion (played by Paul Anthony Kelly) meets Calvin Klein cool-girl (Sarah Pidgeon) courtship, their subsequent marriage, and the intense media scrutiny the pair faced before their tragic deaths in a 1999 plane crash. After the series finale aired on March 26, many have been wondering if there will be a new season to come, chronicling another fairy-tale (or is it?) romance.

Love Story is part of executive producer Ryan Murphy’s American TV universe, in which each season focuses on a different standalone story—the other iterations include American Horror Story, American Crime Story, American Sports Story, and American Horror Stories. Murphy’s Feud, while not part of that wider franchise, also takes a similar track, using an anthology format to dive deep into real-life figures and events we think we know well, often prompting viewers to think about them in new ways.

What could this mean for another Love Story? Here’s everything we know so far, including which iconic couple a future installment could focus on. (Hint: Think Hollywood.)

Has ;Love Story' been renewed for season 2?

As of March 27, 2026, Love Story has not yet been renewed for a second season. But given that Variety reported that the show is FX’s most-watched limited series ever on Hulu and Disney+, with the first five episodes being streamed more than 25 million hours since the February 12 series premiere, it wouldn’t be surprising if the show comes back for more.

What would 'Love Story' season 2 be about?

Even if a renewal announcement hasn’t come down (yet…), series creator Connor Hines has already given some thought to which high-profile pairing he’d like to follow next. When asked by Vanity Fair who he’d be interested in taking on for his next project, Hines responded, “Maybe Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. They have the right intensity.”

Burton and Taylor, of course, had a famously passionate (and famously tumultuous) Hollywood love story. The couple met on the set of 1963’s Cleopatra, when Taylor was married to her fourth husband, Eddie Fisher (the ex-husband of Debbie Reynolds and father of Carrie Fisher), and Burton was married to Sybil Williams. They both left their spouses for each other and married in 1964, making 11 movies together while also drawing headlines for their lavish lifestyle and public arguments. They got divorced in 1974, only to remarry a year later, but that second union was much briefer; they divorced again in 1976.

"Even though there were rough times, I wouldn't give up one minute of my time with Richard Burton," Taylor wrote in her autobiography, per PEOPLE.

What other couples could be covered in 'Love Story' season 2?

Famous couples who’ve captured the public’s attention? We could spend all day coming up with ideas! It sounds like Hines is already toying with Burton and Taylor—and certainly, there’s plenty of drama to mine there—but fans of the series have also been speculating about potential Love Story subjects.

Names that have come up (again, all in speculation) have included a mix of rock stars, paparazzi fixtures, and Old Hollywood staples: Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain, David Bowie and Iman, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, Sonny Bono and Cher, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Victoria and David Beckham, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck…the list goes on.

Which cast members would return for 'Love Story' season 2?

As an anthology, Love Story would start a new story with a new couple, if the series is indeed renewed. But, that said, Ryan Murphy loves to work with the same actors over and over again, so it wouldn’t be impossible to imagine that some of his regular players—like Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, Emma Roberts, and Naomi Watts (who played Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Love Story and Babe Paley in Feud: Capote and the Swans)—could appear in a new season in one way or another.

When would 'Love Story' season 2 come out?

Again, with no renewal news on the books, it’s hard to say when another season could arrive. But this season arrived just before Valentine’s Day, and it wouldn’t be out of line to think they’ll stick to that timing if (when?) the show comes back around again.

Calling all reality TV fans: Hulu is coming for your watchlists with Love Overboard. After debuting the original reality series Are You My First? last year, the streaming giant expanded its unscripted offerings with a new dating show from Alex Cooper's Unwell Productions. Hosted by Bachelorette alum Gabby Windey, Love Overboard is the latest reality show that could float up to the top of streaming charts.

As for the rules, Love Overboard is what would happen if Love Island USA and Below Deck had a Gen Z love child. A group of gorgeous singles spends nine episodes aboard a yacht floating off the coast of Malta. Four lucky couples get to enjoy the life of luxury on the Upside, while the rest of the singles are banished to the Downside and forced to cook, clean, and serve the Upsiders. Outside of challenges, where Downsiders can compete to rise, the singles can only come to the Topside by breaking up one of the existing couples.

When a love triangle forms, the two competitors have to walk the plank, as the chooser decides who matches with them and who goes into the water. (Yes, eliminated singles literally plunge thirty feet into the Mediterranean Sea.)

For the show's inaugural season, Hulu recruited a hot roster of influencers and fitness enthusiasts, ranging in age from 21 to 30 and hailing from across the U.S. (and even Germany!). Below, read on for everything to know about the new reality stars of Love Overboard.

The Women of 'Love Overboard'

Bella

Instagram: @belluhlou

Age: 22

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

Occupation: Linedance instructor/bottle service server

Fun Fact: "She’s the glam Barbie with grit, glitter, and a mechanical bull-riding résumé."

Enna

Instagram: @enna_nutschell

Age: 33

Hometown: Centerville, Maryland

Occupation: Full-time content creator

Fun Fact: "She’s flirtatious, fabulous and fiercely protective of her peace."

Gia

Instagram: @giaaldisert

Age: 22

Hometown: Topanga, California

Occupation: Luxury real-estate agent

Connections: She's best friends and roommates with Love Island USA's Iris Kendall.

Fun Fact: "Known for being dominant and emotionally intelligent, she’s not afraid to call it like she sees it."

Leela

Instagram: @Leelafleck

Age: 21

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Occupation: Student at Northeastern University

Fun Fact: "Known as a type-A clean queen with a creative soul, she walks into a room with her head high and her nails done."

Lexi

Instagram: @Lexiborges_

Age: 26

Hometown: Tulare, California

Occupation: Executive assistant at a top tech company

Fun Fact: "Lexi is that girl—the one getting invited backstage, hopping on private jets, and lighting up every room (or yacht) she walks into."

Lo

Instagram: @Lolo_ollivierre

Age: 29

Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina

Occupation: Healthcare recruiter/marketing maven

Fun Fact: "As a self-proclaimed 'Queen of Raya,' she’s a wellness-obsessed jetsetter who might just be one’s favorite therapist, hype woman and style icon rolled into one."

Sadé

Instagram: @sadeidera

Age: 30

Hometown: Morris Plains, New Jersey

Occupation: IT project manager

Fun Fact: "As a former basketball star, Sadé's got the competitive drive of an athlete and the heart of a lover. She’s a self-described 'secret nerd' who loves flirting, traveling, and talking."

Sofia

Instagram: @sofia_bevarly

Age: 28

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky

Occupation: Real estate agent/content creator

Fun Fact: "Working as a competitive real estate agent, she is effortlessly captivating with brains, beauty, a sense of humor, and an unapologetic sense of self."

The Men of 'Love Overboard'

Andrew

Instagram: @andrewpetersen_

Age: 29

Hometown: West Chester, Pennsylvania

Occupation: Former Wall Street worker

Fun Fact: "As he crept to age 30, he quit his finance job in search of a life with more depth."

Beau

Instagram: @Beaubailey__

Age: 25

Hometown: Lakeville, Minnesota

Occupation: Former college basketball player/personal trainer, and model

Fun Fact: "Raised by his mom and older sister, Beau is a proud mama’s boy with depth, grit, and heart."

David

Instagram: @itsdavid.fuhrmann

Age: 29

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

Occupation: Pediatric trauma therapy

Fun Fact: "Born on a cattle farm in Texas and raised in the suburbs of St. Louis, David grew up riding a horse named Pegasus before trading in his cowboy boots for a therapist’s chair."

James

Instagram: @jamesbarranca

Age: 26

Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, California

Occupation: Chemist

Fun Fact: "Known as a deep thinker, loyal friend and someone who values time, James isn’t just a presence—he’s an experience."

Keif

Instagram: @chiefkeifers

Age: 23

Hometown: Nebraska

Occupation: Officer

Fun Fact: "He is the unapologetic all-American guy—boots, blue jeans, country concerts, and a love for lifting heavy and living hard. Protective and principled."

Koray

Instagram: @Korayeast

Age: 27

Hometown: Frankfurt, Germany

Occupation: Former soccer player/tech sales worker/model

Fun Fact: "Now in tech sales, coaching kids’ soccer, and modeling, he’s grounded, confident, flirtatious, and fluent in good vibes."

Reece

Instagram: @reecekane

Age: 26

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri

Occupation: Boat captain

Fun Fact: "Living life at full throttle, he’s a boat captain, a jet ski guide, a photographer, a world traveler, and an MMA-trained, rugby-playing adventurer with a heart of gold."

Tim

Instagram: @timdemirjian

Age: 30

Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts

Occupation: Co-founder of a vodka seltzer brand

Fun Fact: "As a self-proclaimed 'dork,' Tim is smart, sharp, and the definition of no-bullshit charm."

The Shipwreckers of 'Love Overboard'

Bradley

Instagram: @bradleyjohnson

Age: 25

Hometown: Arizona

Occupation: Fitness coach/comedian

Fun Fact: "Known as a rebellious kid growing up, he now spends his days making people laugh, dodging dishes at home, and attempting to unlock the secret of love without actually looking for it."

Christine

Instagram: @Kingchrxstine

Age: 26

Hometown: Montclair, New Jersey

Occupation: Social media manager

Fun Fact: "Christine is proof that resilience is sexy, and confidence is everything."

Delaney

Instagram: @delaneykluger

Age: 26

Hometown: Noblesville, Indiana

Occupation: Model/makeup artist

Fun Fact: "Resilient, independent, sharp, and real to the core, Delaney was raised in chaos but built for greatness."

Jake

Instagram: @jake.rath

Age: 23

Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Occupation: Fitness trainer/singles run club owner

Fun Fact: "Known as 'Cupid,' he trains celebrities and athletes by day, and rallies crowds and connects strangers by night."

Prasad

Instagram: @lordpjr

Age: 26

Hometown: Boulder County, Colorado

Occupation: Business consultant

Fun Fact: "As a dedicated surfer and world traveler, he thrives on adrenaline and loves throwing himself into new adventures."

Val

Instagram: @valzuluaga

Age: 26

Hometown: Tampa, Florida

Occupation: Recruitment consultant

Fun Fact: "Fiercely independent, Val is a powerhouse, laid-back but protective of her boundaries. As a fitness junkie, she balances pilates and weight training with her unapologetic love for food."

In the past decade, artists have repeatedly tried to crack the mystery of Princess Diana. In 2020, The Crown introduced the princess in its fourth season, first played by Emma Corrin, with Elizabeth Debicki taking over in seasons 5 and 6. In 2021, Kristen Stewart played the royal enduring a Christmas from hell in Pablo Larraín's expressionistic movie Spencer. There was even a misbegotten Diana musical, panned by critics but embraced as a camp classic by some Broadway fans.

And, while she doesn't appear on screen, Diana still haunts FX's series Love Story, which follows the romance of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy (Sarah Pidgeon) and John F. Kennedy Jr. (Paul Anthony Kelly). In the eighth episode, "Exit Strategy," Carolyn—bristling against the excessive, invasive media attention surrounding her own life—gets news of the car crash that resulted in Diana's death.

After that fateful call, the newly married Carolyn becomes obsessed. She’s glued to the television, the camera giving us a close up of her wide, tear-filled eyes as Radiohead plays. While we don't know exactly how the real Carolyn learned of Diana's passing, she was reportedly affected by the event. In a 2017 PEOPLE magazine story, Kennedy's former assistant said that Bessette was "rattled" by Diana's death, which came as a result of her vehicle being hounded by paparazzi. At the time, Bessette too was feeling threatened by photographers trying to capture her every move; here was an example of another prominent woman whose life ended as a result of the same phenomenon.

But by evoking Diana, the episode also highlights Love Story's own limits. After all, if we've never been able to really understand Diana, how are we supposed to understand Carolyn?

As Love Story makes clear, it's easy to draw parallels between Diana and Carolyn. They are both beautiful blonde women who married into prominent families that demanded a certain amount of public decorum. Diana wed literal royalty. Carolyn wed the U.S. equivalent. (JFK Jr. was arguably a more desirable prince than Charles—the latter never ended up as the "sexiest man alive.") Also, both Diana and Carolyn drew media attention not just because of their association with their respective country's elites, but because they had enviable personal style and the ability to look casually glamorous.

They also share untimely deaths—Diana in that car crash and Carolyn, ultimately, in that plane, piloted by her husband on the way to a family wedding. The violent, horrific nature of their endings only adds to their mystique.

Part of their combined appeal is that they were both essentially unknowable to the people who followed their lives through issues of PEOPLE and copies of The Daily Mail. And that means every subsequent interpretation of them is weighted down by a hefty level of speculation.

All of these works of art—whether that's The Crown or Spencer or Love Story—are required to invent these women's interiority using the writers' imaginations and bits of details we've gleaned from reporting over the years, stories their friends and acquaintances have told to biographers, gossip whispered to the press. At least in the case of Diana there were notable televised interviews, which have allowed actors to mimic her distinctive speech patterns; Carolyn rarely made public comments.

As such, the performances that result from Diana’s media are occasionally impressive and a little bit elusive. In Spencer, Stewart gave her an almost feral quality; In The Crown, Corrin plays her like a wounded bird. The two actors nail the accent and the slightly bowed head, while each imbuing their Diana with the qualities the work around them wants to highlight. They are both entrancing, but leave the viewer aware that no one really knows who she truly was.

That sensation has remained in Love Story. In the early episodes, Pidgeon offered up a portrait of Carolyn as the ultimate '90s cool girl, fingers constantly running through her perfectly mussed hair or dangling a lit cigarette. As the show has gone on, Pidgeon's portrayal has started to feel burdened by the weight of Carolyn's trauma. Recent episodes have presented her less like the whole person we got to know at the beginning of the series, and more like the representation of the tragic figure we can only try to glean from images.

"Exit Strategy" brings this into relief because of the Diana comparisons. For years, we've tried to guess how Diana was feeling in her unhappy marriage to Prince Charles and her final moments; now it's clear we're just doing the same when it comes to Carolyn.

These projects do a good job of keeping these women's memories alive, but only up to a point. Their lasting impact is the perpetuation of Diana and Carolyn's aesthetic above all. That's evident in the brand Rowing Blazers recreating two of Diana's most iconic sweaters in 2020. Love Story, meanwhile, has resulted in young West Village denizens now seeking to recreate Carolyn's iconic look and waiting in lines outside of the Indian restaurant where the show depicts her and John's first date.

But all this just serves to remind us what we're invested in is the idea of these women rather than the actual women. Love Story even posits that Carolyn herself was guilty of this, staring at the television trying to graft her own life onto Diana's even though she was a mere acquaintance. Now, anyone watching Love Story is forced to do the same for Carolyn.

For the past four seasons of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen's tumultuous relationship has brought no shortage of drama. Even with the pair fully broken up and Taylor set to become the next Bachelorette, season 4 includes some of the lowest lows in the co-parents's history. In the last four episodes of the season, Dakota brings someone new into their chaotic dynamic: Utah influencer Shinia Powell.

Though Shinia fully steps under the spotlight in season 4, she's actually a familiar face to #MomTok fans. She's best friends with Miranda Hope (formerly McWhorter), the original #MomTok member who reunited with Taylor after their highly-publicized swinging scandal. That means season 4's explosive love triangle threatened several relationships, from Taylor and Dakota's to Miranda and Shinia's to Taylor and Miranda's.

Below, read on for everything we know about Shinia Powell and where she stands with the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast, as well as the odds of her returning for SLOMW season 5.

Who is Shinia Powell?

Shinia Powell, 29, lives in Utah and is a single mother to two children, a 6-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. According to her Instagram, she was previously married to McKoy Allred, a Utah real estate agent.

Shinia appears to be a part-time influencer, though on a smaller scale than the rest of #MomTok; she currently has around 8,800 followers on Instagram and 12,500 followers on TikTok. On her accounts, Shinia primarily posts glamour shots, fitness content, and updates about life with her kids.

How long have Shinia Powell and Miranda Hope been friends?

Shinia is officially introduced on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in episode 7 of season 4, as she joins #MomTok's team for their pickleball tournament. Miranda describes her as her best friend, who's also friendly with Taylor Frankie Paul and Layla Taylor. She also attended Stagecoach with the cast in season 3, where she and Taylor shared a kiss for fun.

According to their Instagrams, Shinia and Miranda's friendship began in 2017, when they were both training to become estheticians. They regularly made content together about being each other's biggest supporters up until the love-triangle drama began last October.

What happens beterrn Shinia Powell and Dakota Mortensen on 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 4?

On October 14, 2025, Taylor Frankie Paul publicly accused Shinia of sleeping with Dakota Mortensen, Taylor's ex-boyfriend and the father of her youngest child, Ever. In an Instagram Reel, featuring a video of Layla, Shinia, and Miranda from the pickleball tournament, Taylor wrote, "Just found out the snake in the middle IS sleeping with my baby daddy, meanwhile crying to me because she just got dumped by a married man." (According to Reality Tea, Taylor deleted all of the posts about Shinia within a few days.)

The day after Taylor's allegation, Shinia seemingly shared a response via Instagram Story. "If you have a problem with me, call me. If you don’t have my number, then that means you don’t know me well enough to have a problem," she wrote. This seems to be the only statement Shinia has made about the allegation.

SLOMW season 4 shows the real-life drama leading up to and following the tweet. Per Miranda, Dakota sent Shinia a DM ahead of the pickleball tournament. However, Jessi Draper (formerly Ngatikaura) decided they shouldn't tell Taylor, so she wouldn't be distracted ahead of filming for The Bachelorette. Episode 7 also includes part of a conversation between Shinia and Taylor, where Taylor commiserates with Shinia about her recent breakup. In the scene, Shinia says that her ex blocked her and got back together with his wife, adding, "they're just acting like they're a perfect little family." When Taylor asks Shinia's ex was ever separated from his wife, Shinia says that she "saw paperwork."

While the cast attends a country festival in episode 8, Jessi, Mayci Neeley, and Mikayla Matthews get Dakota to admit that he has been seeing Shinia. Later in the episode, Miranda and Shinia go to a different day of the festival, where Dakota and Jordan Ngatikaura are also in attendance. Miranda tells Jordan that she thinks Jordan's being calculated, dating someone Taylor knows, so Taylor would get upset ahead of The Bachelorette. She adds in a confessional that she thought Dakota and Shinia would be a one-time thing, and that she didn't know it was still going on. Miranda makes it extremely clear to both of them that she disapproves, and tells Shinia that Dakota's using her, but Shinia says that she really likes Dakota. When Dakota apologizes for dragging her into the drama, Shinia says, "I want us to stay in our bubble."

The bubble bursts in episode 9, when Taylor learns that Dakota hooked up with both Shinia and Jenna, the woman whom Dakota cheated on Taylor with at the start of their relationship. (Jenna met with Taylor in SLOMW's season 2 premiere.) Despite the rest of #MomTok deciding not to tell Taylor anything, Taylor finds out from Dakota off-camera. Filming captures a furious, triggered Taylor as she calls Miranda and Jessi; she says she feels betrayed by Shinia and Jenna because they were trying to be friends with her. Though Jessi and Mayci warn her not to ruin The Bachelorette, Taylor starts posting about Shinia.

Shinia and Taylor don't have an onscreen confrontation after the fallout in season 4, but the women of the cast do talk to Shinia at a party, the same night as Taylor's post. They try to make Shinia understand that Dakota not only lied to Taylor, but also to her; he had allegedly hooked up with someone after forming a "sex pact" to be exclusive with Shinia. However, Shinia says that she sees a potential future with "him as a person." She also says that she didn't think Taylor would be so mad, since she was dating and preparing for The Bachelorette.

Despite all the drama (and Dakota's attempts to keep her with him), Taylor does leave Utah to film The Bachelorette in the season 4 finale. The episode ends with Jessi's annual Halloween party, where Shinia reunites with Dakota. As a chyron onscreen reads "Six hours after Dakota asked Taylor to save a rose for him," Dakota—literally wearing a Red Flag costume—apologizes to Shinia for the drama and confesses to her that he slept with Taylor the night before. Shinia says that all she cares about is that the drama doesn't fall back on Miranda. The show leaves things unknown whether Dakota and Shinia get back together.

Are Shinia Powell and Dakota Mortensen still dating after 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 4?

Based on Dakota and Shinia's social media activity in the five months since Halloween 2025 and season 4's March 2026 airing, it doesn't seem like the pair ever grew into a serious relationship. Last month, Dakota confirmed in a TikTok comment that he was single (at least at the time). Also, back in December, he posted a TikTok with the caption, "When you realize you can date 30 girls without being on a TV show?" Miranda commented on the subtle Taylor shade by writing, "respectfully dakota, from what i hear, you’re well on your way my guy," with Mayci adding, "Are you going through Taylor’s friend list to find your 30? Bc that would be v on brand for you."

Meanwhile, Shinia has been subject to even wilder dating rumors. In late November, she and Miranda's ex-husband, Chase McWhorter, were spotted at an NBA game together, where they were allegedly "all over each other and making out." Though none of the three have directly addressed the rumors, Miranda did post an interesting TikTok comment the week after. Responding to a fan who asked, "Why do all your friends want your man?" Miranda replied, "he's not my man but I guess girl code ain't what it used to be."

Looks like we'll have to wait to get the full story in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5.

Are Shinia Powell and Miranda Hope still friends after 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 4?

After scrolling through Miranda and Shinia's social media, it's clear that the pair aren't as close as they used to be. Though they still follow each other on Instagram as of season 4's premiere, they haven't appeared in each other's posts since mid-October 2025.

In an interview with Us Weekly, Miranda confirmed that she and her former bestie are no longer close after what happened. "I think the Taylor and Dakota of it all was definitely a contributing factor, especially since I was very vocal about how her pursuing that relationship would affect her and would affect me, and it felt like it was just blatantly disregarded on multiple occasions," she told the outlet.

"Also, I understood where Taylor was coming from with her frustration as well. As things continue to play out, I think other things unfolded, and it just made that decision [to take Taylor's side] easier," she continued. She also confirmed that her and Shinia's fallout was "based on a lot more" than we see in season 4, adding, "We’ll see that play out more."

Meanwhile, in a group interview with Entertainment Tonight, Miranda, Jessi, Mayci, Mikayla, Layla, and Jen Affleck all quickly shut down any possibility that Shinia could join #MomTok one day. After the host followed up with a question asking what had changed, with Miranda previously being "ride or die" for Shinia, Miranda teased, "You'll see. There's a lot more going on...It'll unfold eventually."

Mikayla and Mayci then jumped in, explaining that Shinia didn't have a relationship with any of the #MomTok women besides Miranda and Taylor. "I think as far as letting someone into #MomTok, it's probably someone that we all have a relationship with, that we all know," Mayci said. She later added, "She's not a girl's girl, just put it that way."

They say the devil works hard—but The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives works harder. The hit Hulu reality show has already filmed and premiered four seasons in the two years since its first episode aired in 2024, and it shows no signs of slowing down.

While many of the #MomTok influencers have become bona fide stars beyond TikTok and the Hulu series (Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck on Dancing With the Stars! And Whitney on Broadway!), they won’t be departing the show that became the initial phenomenon any time soon. Shortly after season 3 aired, Hulu revealed the show's fate beyond season 4—so even if you’ve binged the episodes that dropped on March 12, we already know what’s to come. (God bless!) Read on for everything we know about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5, including what drama it's set to cover.

Is 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' renewed for season 5?

Yes! Just days after the season 3 premiere, Deadline reported that Hulu had already ordered another 20 episodes of the show. Half of that has been fulfilled with the fourth season, which means there’s plenty more to come from the #MomTok gang with season 5 coming soon.

The streamer renewed seasons 2 and 3 together, as well, and Mormon Wives continues to be one of Hulu’s most popular reality offerings, so it makes sense that season 5 is coming down the pipeline.

When will 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 5 be released?

A premiere date for SLOMW season 5 has yet to be announced. When SLOMW producer Jeff Jenkins confirmed to Deadline that season 5 was on the way, he alluded to resuming filming almost immediately after season 4. He said, “If the appetite from the subscribers on Hulu remains high for this franchise, then we’ll probably be shooting chunks of 10 episodes, kind of quasi back-to-back, with that one- or two-month break in between.”

It seems that ended up happening, as season 4 wrapped filming in late October before Taylor left to film The Bachelorette, and both E! News and eagle-eyed fans have since reported the show resumed filming in early 2026. Jenkins also told Deadline that the show had plans "to shoot through most of 2026."

It seemed as though things were going to plan—at least until production reportedly came to a halt in mid-March. According to a report by PEOPLE, filming was paused due to an ongoing "domestic assault investigation" involving Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex, Dakota Mortensen. The outlet reported that the alleged incident took place sometime in late February, and "allegations have been made in both directions." (As fans who binged season 4 are well aware, Taylor and Dakota's relationship was tumultuous at the end of the last batch of episodes. After the filming pause was announced, Taylor's season of The Bachelorette was cancelled indefinitely.)

At the time, it was unclear how much more of season 5 still needed to be filmed or how long the pause would remain, especially amid an ongoing investigation. Jessi Draper weighed in on the pause during a late-March visit on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, saying that she hoped filming would resume soon.

"Me and the girls, we did decide to stop filming when we found this out because we were starting to hear things a little bit before it leaked. We just didn’t want to be filming and say the wrong thing on camera, not knowing the full story yet," Draper explained. "We didn’t want to have to process all this information for the first time and then also be speaking about it. We just thought, for everyone’s mental health, let’s take a beat and let’s not film right now. That’s probably the best thing for everyone in this situation."

She added that the producers and Hulu have been "supportive" and emphasized that she thinks production will be underway in due time. "I feel like all of us right now are just trying to be like, ‘Okay, we’re human beings first, and let’s figure that out, and then we’ll get back to filming the show.' Clearly, there’s no shortage of drama in our lives. So, if we get another season, it’s going to be good."

Has 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 5 resumed filming?

Despite controversy and criticism, the (multi-million dollar) show must go on. On April 21, 2026, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 5 is set to resume production after a month-long pause in filming. According to the report, details on when the reality hit will resume filming were "not outlined."

Hulu has yet to confirm the cast for season 5, and there's already drama regarding potential cast shake-ups. Following the initial production news, PEOPLE reported that the show "will not be filming" Taylor Frankie Paul or Dakota Mortensen when production resumes. However, Taylor has pushed back against the outlet's claim via Instagram. "Interesting, that's not the call I got," she commented on PEOPLE's post about their report.

On April 22, a source close to Taylor told THR that "the ball is in her court," regarding whether to return to SLOMW. "The team behind the show wants her to return and has been supportive of Paul amid the turbulence she’s faced over the past few months, but only if and when she is ready," the outlet wrote.

Whether Taylor and Dakota's chaos continues on-screen, SLOMW has plenty to cover when the cameras pick up. In the past month, Jessi Draper and Jordan Ngatikaura have initiated a heated divorce, Whitney's run on Chicago has smashed box-office records, rumors have swirled that Miranda McWhorter's ex-husband Chase hooked up with another member of #MomTok, and #DadTok's episodes of Vanderpump Villa have dropped. (Sigh.) We'll have to wait and see what makes it onto the new episodes.

Who in the cast will return for 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 5?

The core women of #MomTok should return for more Mormon Wives; however, a few names likely won’t. We know for certain that Whitney Leavitt is exiting the series. She announced her departure on the final night of her starring run as Roxy Hart in Chicago on Broadway in early May, and Deadline reported that her reps confirmed the news. However, it's unclear whether she is completely absent from season 5 or will at least appear briefly in the partially filmed episodes. (Per Variety, production followed Whitney to N.Y.C. to "document her Chicago experience for season 5.")

It shouldn't be too surprising to fans that the once-villain-turned-showbiz-star is moving on from Mormon Wives. She spent most of season 4 filming Dancing With the Stars in L.A., and exchanged her Swig of dirty soda for the Big Apple throughout winter and spring 2026 for her extended Broadway run. And her schedule is only going to get busier: She starred in her first film, a holiday rom-com, back in December.

Whitney has long been vocal about her acting ambitions and, in previous seasons of Mormon Wives, expressed that she’s not afraid to walk away from the show if it isn’t serving her. In a February 2026 interview with Variety, she confirmed she “would” be interested in leaving SLOMW, but didn’t clarify when. The breakout star explained that she and her husband Conor “go back and forth” about stepping away from it. Whitney told the outlet, “Because this is what I wanted, and I wasn’t shy about sharing that. So at what point do you move on to the next journey?” Well, now we know that either with season 5 or after, she's called it quits.

We can also assume that Demi Engemann won’t return. After refusing to film for most of season 4 over pay disputes and wanting to spend more time with her family, getting cut from the show’s title sequence, and her ongoing feud with fellow MomToker Jessi, she's distanced herself from the show.

Draper teased as much while speaking with E! News by joking, “I don't know what I'm allowed to say, but let's just say I've had a much more peaceful experience this season.”

It also seems that #MomTok's other Dancing With the Stars alum may have a smaller role in season 5. Jen Affleck has officially moved to California and signed on to SLOMW's first spinoff, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Orange County. Though Jen will likely appear in the flagship's fifth season, it's unknown whether she'll do double duty on future installments.

Finally, there's a big question mark about the return of #MomTok leader Taylor Frankie Paul. With the investigation Taylor was involved in and confusing reports regarding her return once filming picked back up, Hulu has not publicly commented on what fans can expect.

We’ll have to see how that shakes out, but fans can rest easy that we’ll definitely see more of Jessi, Mayci Neeley, Layla Taylor, Mikayla Matthews, Miranda McWhorter, and, for better or worse, their husbands in #DadTok.

What will 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 5 be about?

Season 4 ends with a whole lot of drama: Jessi is contemplating divorcing Jordan; Mikayla and her husband Jace Terry are living separately; Layla reveals she’s struggling with an eating disorder; Jen tells Whitney she no longer considers her a friend; Whitney’s about to head off to the Great White Way; Conner Leavitt is angry at Zac Affleck for berating Whitney on behalf of Jen; Taylor leaves to film The Bachelorette shortly after her ex, Dakota Mortensen, tells her that he loves her, before going off to flirt with Miranda’s best friend Shinia; and, if that’s not enough, Dakota rells Jordan and Jessi he suspects Taylor might be pregnant.

That’s all to say: There is no shortage of plots to continue in season 5.

It’s unclear how Taylor will play a part in the next season for several aforementioned reasons. But with her ex, Dakota, still in Utah and tensions between them remaining high, viewers can surely expect to see the fallout from Dakota’s confessions during the finale, along with the shockwaves rippling from their on-again-off-again relationship, to at least be addressed. If Whitney's life in N.Y.C. had been filmed before she backed away from the show and production went on pause, we might see some of her journey toward her Broadway debut. Jen mentioned the possibility of returning to Utah after her run on Dancing With the Stars, rather than staying in L.A., as she’d previously considered, so we might expect to see her reintegrated back into #MomTok. There are also ongoing divorce filings between Jordan and Jessi, and Jayce and Mikayla are also still on the rocks. Pour out a dirty soda because whatever happens, we’ll be tuning in.

MARCH 19TH UPDATE: Three days before the premiere of Taylor Frankie Paul's season of The Bachelorette, ABC announced that it will no longer air.

Variety reported on March 19 that the network has paused the release of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star's season of the hit dating show until further notice. At this time, there is no firm plan to reschedule the release.

The cancellation comes amid an ongoing domestic assault investigation involving the #MomTok influencer.

According to Variety, a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson explained that the decision came after a leaked video about the alleged incident surfaced. They said, "In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of The Bachelorette at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family."

News of the alleged domestic assault surfaced shortly after season 4 of Mormon Wives aired. At the time, reports emerged that filming on season 5 was paused due to allegations of domestic violence from both parties, including Taylor and her ex, Dakota Mortensen.

The story is still developing whether the next season of Mormon Wives will move forward, as well as if The Bachelorette will be rescheduled, especially because the investigation remains sensitive and ongoing.

An earlier version of this story, first published on March 12, appears below.

When Taylor Frankie Paul was announced as the next Bachelorette on ABC’s long-running franchise in fall 2025, it was a casting choice that felt both random…but also totally obvious. For some members of Bachelor Nation, who aren’t familiar with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, she may have seemed like a surprising—perhaps even controversial, given her “soft swinging” scandal—decision. But for fans of the hit Hulu reality show who have watched the #MomTok influencer struggle, blossom, cry, and push through the highest highs and the lowest lows for four seasons, it feels like an organic growth—a true IYKYK moment.

For a leading lady with plenty of chutzpah to spare and who’s spent the last few installments of SLOMW trying to shake herself out of the vicious cycle of her toxic ex, what better way to move on than starring on a show where you date 30 other guys? But how exactly did we get to this reality television multiverse? And what does it mean for the ABC reality dating franchise?

As SLOMW season 4 debuts on Hulu on March 12 and The Bachelorette season 22 is set to premiere soon, below, we’re breaking down how the shows connect and what to know about Taylor’s journey going into the dating show.

Why was Taylor Frankie Paul selected as the next Bachelorette?

The Bachelor and Bachelorette franchise famously selects from within its own roster of previous “Bachelor Nation” contestants to lead the forthcoming season. It keeps viewers tuned in—and also stirs drama, with contestants frequently questioning whether their costars are there for reasons other than the heart of the current Bachelor or Bachelorette. The only exception to this casting practice was in 2021, with season 25 lead, Matt James. (He was originally cast as a contestant for Clare Crawley’s Bachelorette season, but before filming began, he was plucked from the lineup and promoted to lead the next installment of The Bachelor.)

While Taylor wasn’t a part of Bachelor Nation, she did previously express her interest in crossing over in June 2025. When asked by Variety what she thinks of fans saying she’d make a great Bachelorette, she said she’d “absolutely” be interested. It’s hard to know exactly what transpired for her to secure the spot—but the team behind SLOMW has been particularly strategic in turning its influencer ensemble into bona fide stars, and it’s worth noting that ABC and Hulu are both owned by the same parent company, The Walt Disney Company. On top of that, one can assume that, as The Bachelor franchise experiences an identity crisis, it has an incentive to cast a new lead with an established audience to attract new viewers. That’s not to mention that there’s already drama to start the season, with Taylor’s on-and-off relationship with her ex/the husband of her children, Dakota Mortensen, and her unabashed willingness to wear her emotions on her sleeve and speak her mind, no matter the consequences. Basically, you’ve got yourself a lead that’s sure to make for a must-watch season of The Bachelorette.

When was 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 4 film?

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 4 covers most of fall 2025, leading up to Taylor flying out to L.A. to start filming The Bachelorette. Audiences see the moment the world learns of Taylor’s Bachelorette casting in episode 2, and witness how that announcement sends ripples among #MomTok. While Taylor’s journey to The Bachelorette certainly isn’t the only major storyline of this season, it does loom over each episode.

A tracker counting down the days, hours, and minutes until Taylor leaves for Bachelor Mansion frequently flashes across the screen, reminding viewers of the dwindling time until Taylor steps into her latest leading role. It lends an ominous weight to many decisions she must make, including what to do about her relationship with her ex, Dakota, and how she wants to “heal” herself by dating 30 different men.

When was the Taylor Frankie Paul season of 'The Bachelorette' filmed?

While Hulu and ABC have not confirmed, longtime reality TV aficionado Reality Steve reported that The Bachelorette began filming on October 26. That makes sense, considering SLOMW season 4 ends with Jessi and Jordan’s Halloween party. It’s been confirmed that she filmed during the last few months of 2025 and wrapped sometime in December. At the time, she commemorated the end of filming on Instagram.

“Never experienced anything like this. Can’t wait to talk all about it, share it, show it,” she wrote in the caption, paired with a series of photos of her from throughout production. “This will be worth the wait, stay tuned coming in March.”

What is Taylor Frankie Paul and Dakota Mortensen's relationship status going into her season of 'The Bachelorette?'

Taylor has a few romantic interests in SLOMW season 4: At the start of the season, she divulges her crush on fellow TikToker, Ben Lambert (going so far as to hang out with him when he visits Utah), and fancies a brief dalliance with another reality star, Harry Jowsey. However, Taylor’s ex and baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen, remains at the center of Taylor’s orbit for much of this season. It seems last season’s revelation that Dakota was texting inappropriately with a close family friend of Taylor’s during her pregnancy was the “point of no return” for Taylor and her family. It showed there was no hope for the two to ever be in a happy relationship in the wake of all of Dakota’s transgressions, thus pushing Taylor into the arms of The Bachelorette.

Many people, including Taylor, admit throughout this season that the only way for her to move on from Dakota is to go on The Bachelorette—and yet they can’t seem to let each other go. It’s a tumultuous, Sisyphean season for the two. The countdown to Taylor leaving for The Bachelorette doesn’t seem to register as an expiration date for them, as they continue to fight, make up, re-couple, and then try to break away from each other. Just when you think it’s finally over, they tumble back into each other again, or another one of Dakota’s wrongdoings is revealed (like how he hooked up one of Miranda McWhorter’s friends) and breaks Taylor’s heart—sending them both rolling back to square one.

This continues until hours before Taylor leaves to film The Bachelorette. Dakota goes to Taylor’s house to drop off their son, Ever, the night before Taylor’s due to fly out, saying it might be the last time they see each other for two months. We see Dakota the next morning, walking out of Taylor’s house. When asked by producers what happened, Dakota smirks. The coupling clearly sends Taylor spiraling enough that she doesn’t board her morning flight to L.A. with her mom and sister, telling her mother she feels sick.

Taylor ultimately gets on a later flight, finally jetting off to film The Bachelorette—but Dakota’s still able to make one final attempt for her attention right before producers take her phone for filming. In a FaceTime with Taylor, Dakota apologizes for hooking up with Miranda’s friend. “All I’m gonna say is, save a rose for me,” he tells Taylor. Hours later, at Jessi and Jordan Ngatikaura’s Halloween party, we see Dakota seemingly flirting with Miranda’s friend.

The season ends with a bombshell from Dakota to Jessi and Jordan that Taylor hasn’t had her period yet. “Is she going to be a pregnant Bachelorette?” Jessi asks in disbelief.

When does the Taylor Frankie Paul season of 'The Bachelorette' come out?

Despite the season 4 cliffhanger, we know Taylor filmed her season of The Bachelorette, which will premiere on March 22, almost two years after the last season of the show. (ABC skipped their 2025 season of The Bachelorette.) There’s yet to be any confirmation of the pregnancy rumor Dakota started in the finale…but we might be able to expect more to be revealed regarding where Taylor and her ex stand as she embarks on dating 30 other men.

Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (which dropped its fourth season on March 12th) is many things. A reality show about women in Salt Lake City estates who built six-figure influencer empires via choreographed TikTok dances? Yes. But it’s also a kind of social experiment, a religious unfettering, a plastic surgery PSA, and the reason “soft swinging” has become part of our cultural lexicon. This is a show that began with a cheating scandal and a dream: to proselytize so hard that the temple garment industry would be forced to churn out more modern (read: sleeveless) designs. Since its premiere in 2024, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives was a bless-this-mess mix of artificially-manufactured chaos, sincere feminist awakening, and clout chasing dressed in bronde extensions and wildly puffy peasant dresses.

But here’s what The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has, unfortunately, also become about: the husbands.

Now, nobody asked for this. Not one person turned on this show and mused, “I wonder what the men think.” And yet here we are, four seasons deep, watching Temu Scott Disick (cough Jordan Ngatikaura) and friends attempt to monetize their wives reality TV fame while also being upset that they have achieved reality TV fame. They are selling merch on Instagram that gives new meaning to the phrase “ugly as sin.” And, worst of all, they have opinions.

The betrayal stings for two reasons. First, while The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, like nearly every reality show of its ilk, has always operated under a set of heavily ring-lit rules—staged catfights in coffee shops, relationship-ending calls conveniently caught on dashcams, confessionals edited with a machete to perfectly narrate the IRL drama—it also felt different. Think about what these women are technically supposed to be: modest, submissive, defined entirely by the gendered stereotypes of wives and mothers. Instead, they weaponized the influencer economy to rail against a centuries-old religion, using TikTok of all places as a backdoor to build a following, an income, and their own autonomy. The Mormon Church had not yet issued guidance on whether a sponsored post for a sex toy brand constituted a threat to its divine institution, and in that regulatory gap, these women created entire careers.

Maybe Taylor Frankie Paul was a walking disaster haunted by an energy-draining vampire known as her baby daddy, Dakota Mortensen. Maybe Whitney Leavitt’s theater-kid energy derailed many a birthday and baby shower. Maybe Jen Affleck really did hallucinate familial ties to the Dunkin' Donuts-loving half of Bennifer. Maybe we did confuse Jessi Ngatikaura with Demi Engemann anytime the former was in her natural habitat and not her warehouse-sized hair salon. Or Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews did judge their fellow moms so harshly, we’d imagine an excommunication was preferable to being on the receiving end of their shit-talking. And, yeah, maybe we did forget Layla Taylor and Miranda McWhorter were there half the time. But in season 4, they’ve all evolved into producers, Dancing With the Stars contestants, authors, entrepreneurs, and ABC-endorsed Bachelorettes. That’s a trajectory no one—certainly not the men in their orbit—saw coming, so distracting from this girlboss glow-up just feels wrong.

The second reason the betrayal stings is simpler, and somehow worse: the show handed the camera to the husbands. And those husbands? They’re aggressively mediocre and terminally uninteresting.

That’s all well and good. Background furniture, after all, has its place. Except these particular pieces of furniture are now getting trips to Vanderpump Villa, hoodies with logos, and, perhaps most horrifying, unlimited time on-camera to share their feelings. Look, if we wanted to hear a group of emotionally stunted manbabies think tank the word “emasculating,” we’d turn on one of the thousands of podcasts already available. But here we are.

And what these men do with their screen time is, frankly, enlightening. They gather. Around fire pits, in living rooms, at parties they're hosting in their wives's backyards, all to do one thing: remind each other that they are, in fact, the most important people on this show. Season 3 was monopolized by these discount group therapy sessions, usually led by the self-appointed founder of #DadTok, Jordan, as he tried to wrestle with wife Jessi’s infidelity. But season 4 has taken an even wilder leap, imagining #DadTok is its own separate entity worth caring about. It’s why Jordan interrupts a Sip & See butterfly ceremony in the premiere to pull focus from the women and the miracle of birth they’ve just performed to congratulate himself and his bros on negotiating a free trip to Europe. It’s why Zac Affleck—#MomTok’s most devout hater in seasons past—has decided to drop out of med school, follow his wife to L.A., and live on her dime while posting the same dumb little TikTok videos he once openly mocked her for. It’s why Jacob (Mayci’s husband) gives his post-partum wife the ick when he prioritizes a #DadTok pact to keep the naughtier details of his boys’s trip under lock and key.

Individually, each of these moments is just bad television. Collectively, they're something else.

What’s always been true about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is now impossible to ignore: This is a show about women living inside a framework that was specifically designed to keep them small. The faith, the culture, the very specific aesthetic demands of Utah County; all of it exists to remind these women of their place. For three seasons, watching them transcend that place was the whole point.

But signal-boost the men enough, and the subtext becomes the text. Suddenly, the show isn't about women finding loopholes in a restrictive system; it's about the system asserting itself, regaining control of the status quo. Jordan's fire pit summits aren't just annoying filler. They're a deacon's quorum with a production budget, dressed up in therapy-speak and delivered on a streaming platform.

It would be easy to leave this at annoying. To file #DadTok under "unfortunate creative decision" and move on. Except the consequences of centering these men end up being more than just entire scenes we collectively fast-forward our way through. They're a pretty accurate map of what happens when male discomfort gets treated as something to cater to. (Sure, male loneliness may be an epidemic, but why is that something we’re being asked to care about in this, our holiest of shared feminine spaces?)

Take Jen Affleck, for instance. A woman who spent the better part of season 2 in a perinatal depression so debilitating that production stopped filming her mid-season. Her husband Zac uses her crisis to start "hard conversations" that reliably end in the same place: his wife being at fault. The camera follows him through all of it, never issuing a correction. Taylor Frankie Paul gets slut-shamed by her own family in the same season Dakota cheats on her with one of her mother's friends. And Jessi, who spent years absorbing emotional abuse from Jordan before any cameras were pointed at them, gets to report as a season four milestone that he has recently started putting the kids to bed. The bar for these and all men is truly below sea level.

Giving the husbands the camera makes watching paint dry more preferable, but it also reframes everything we thought this show was about. The moment the series starts treating Jordan's wounded ego as a storyline with equal weight to Jessi's, the moment Zac's feelings about #MomTok get their own confessional, that’s the moment the women's choices stop being the point and start being the context for the men's reaction to them. Which is, to be clear, a much older story, one these women's faith has been telling about them for two hundred years.

At the end of the day, though, the moms are still producing, competing, publishing, and franchising themselves into something the Mormon Church definitely did not see coming. The husbands, meanwhile, are selling hoodies on Instagram to an audience of each other. No amount of extra screen time can rewrite those facts. Let #DadTok make like its members's receding hairlines and drift back into obscurity. The wives have actual work to do.

Ryan Murphy shows that depict real-life historical figures have become infamous for their loose relationship with the truth. According to Daryl Hannah, FX's Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy is allegedly no different.

On March 6, four weeks into Love Story's run on FX and Hulu, the Splash star penned an op-ed for The New York Times addressing her portrayal on the hit drama. Early episodes dramatize the end of her long-term relationship with JFK Jr. (played by Paul Anthony Kelly), as the scion simultaneously met and fell for then-Calvin Klein employee Carolyn Bassette (Sarah Pidgeon).

"The character 'Daryl Hannah' portrayed in the series is not even a remotely accurate representation of my life, my conduct or my relationship with John," the actress wrote in what marks her first time speaking on her romance with Kennedy Jr.

Described by Vulture as a "portrayal border[ing] on caricature," Love Story depicts Hannah (played by Dree Hemingway) as a ditzy on- and off-again girlfriend who hosts drug-fueled parties in Kennedy Jr.'s apartment. Their relationship ends largely because his mother, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, disapproves, and their breakup is made all the worse when Hannah crashes the late First Lady's memorial service, embarrassing the family.

In her op-ed, Hannah rebuts each of these scenes. "I have never used cocaine in my life or hosted cocaine-fueled parties. I have never pressured anyone into marriage. I have never desecrated any family heirloom or intruded upon anyone’s private memorial. I have never planted any story in the press. I never compared Jacqueline Onassis’ death to a dog’s."

"It’s appalling to me that I even have to defend myself against a television show. These are not creative embellishments of personality. They are assertions about conduct—and they are false," she added. The actress/filmmaker also described the show's choice to depict her as "irritating, self-absorbed, whiny and inappropriate," and to pit her against Bassette-Kennedy. She asks, "Isn’t it textbook misogyny to tear down one woman in order to build up another?"

In addition to debunking her character's salacious scenes, Hannah's op-ed also revealed how the series has affected her. "When so many people watch a dramatization that uses a real name, real-life consequences follow," she wrote. "In the weeks since the series aired, I have received many hostile and even threatening messages from viewers who seem to believe the portrayal is factual. When entertainment borrows a real person’s name, it can permanently impact her reputation."

Neither Murphy, FX, nor the Love Story team has responded to Hannah's claims as of the time of writing.

Hannah isn't the only public figure to decry Love Story as controversial. During his appearance on CBS News Sunday Mornings on March 1, JFK Jr.'s nephew (and congressional hopeful) Jack Schlossberg accused executive producer Murphy of profiting from the notoriously private family.

"If you want to know someone who’s never met anyone in my family, knows nothing about us, talk to Ryan Murphy," Schlossberg said. "The guy knows nothing about what he’s talking about, and he’s making a ton of money on a grotesque display of someone else’s life."

This story contains heavy spoilers for Paradise season 2, episode 4, “A Holy Charge.” When Hulu's Paradise returned for its highly anticipated season 2 on February 23, instead of checking in with the lead character, Xavier (Sterling K. Brown), it opens with a departure episode about a woman named Annie Clay. Primarily set after the super volcano eruption that upends society in the series, the premiere titled “Graceland” follows the med school dropout turned Graceland tour guide (played by Shailene Woodley) as she finds the will to survive. It’s arguably the show’s best installment yet.

Thanks to Woodley's exquisite performance and the telling glimpses of her life before the apocalypse—her mother’s death, the panic attack that brings her career to an end, and the comfort she finds in teaching strangers about her mother’s favorite singer—we quickly come to care for her. It's all the more heartbreaking—and frustrating—then, when it's clear three episodes later that the character was introduced only to die.

When Annie and Xavier’s paths inevitably cross by the end of “Graceland,” it seems to signal a new future for her and an important allyship for both of them. Strong-willed and pragmatic, Annie could’ve seen Paradise’s mysteries with new eyes, and without the complacency of the average bunker dweller. However, no matter how well-written she appears to be, she was never meant to be the hero. Instead, she’s just the latest victim of a misogynistic plot device that has plagued female characters for decades.

The beginning of Annie’s plummet from compelling character to emotional-manipulation device comes via a plot twist near the end of “Graceland”: She’s heavily pregnant. A year before Xavier’s plane crashed, Annie met Link (Thomas Doherty), a charming biker who gate-crashed the museum two years after the eruption, in search of vintage car parts. Though she was initially guarded, Annie bonds with Link during his time at the mansion, and they sleep together before he leaves. Link, who’s determined to get to the mysterious Colorado bunker, asks Annie to join him, but she's too afraid to leave her familiar shelter. So by the time Xavier falls from the sky, Annie is very late in her pregnancy.

It makes little sense beyond melodrama. Shrewd Annie and mature-beyond-his-years Link are both extremely smart, careful people, and they didn’t once think of contraception? The odds of getting pregnant from one instance of unprotected sex range from 3 to 42 percent within a woman’s fertile window, but you wouldn’t know that if your sole source of sex ed is this exhausting postapocalyptic trope. (See A Quiet Place, The Walking Dead, Children of Men, etc.)

Though some viewers may have hoped that Annie and her baby would survive—after all, the concept of the entire show requires some suspension of disbelief—what we get is much more lurid. After Annie stitches Xavier back up in the March 2nd episode, “A Holy Charge,” the pair have two weeks together while he heals before setting out to find his wife, Teri (Enuka Okuma), in Atlanta, and eventually reach Colorado. But, to appear travel-ready, Annie had been hiding the severity of her condition, so it’s not long before she experiences preeclampsia and is pushed into early labor. In the 25 minutes of screen time before that labor begins, her interiority takes a back seat. The show doesn’t explore whether she regrets locking herself in Graceland, if her feelings for Link have evolved since their separation, or what she thinks about motherhood outside of their dystopian circumstances. Save for flashes that hint at her condition and urgency to leave, we only see her with Xavier, who centers himself in the moment, dadsplaining the joys and fears (and swaddling tips) of parenthood. Every conversation between them rehashes the same existential dilemma: Nihilist Annie can’t see the future as anything but bleak, but, to optimist Xavier, the baby inside her is a symbol of hope.

Before Annie ultimately dies in childbirth, she tasks a crying Xavier with “A Holy Charge”—delivering the baby to Link—in a prime example of fridging. The bane of every feminist fangirl, the trope coined by comics writer Gail Simone in 1999 is when a secondary character (usually female) dies or goes through grievous harm so a more significant character (typically male) can experience growth or change because of it. Not every instance of a male character’s sorrow over a female character’s death is fridging, but Annie’s death caps off the end of an episode that treats her like the trope’s most notorious examples. Her own character arc and potential are pushed aside so she can serve as a plot device and conduit for two men. Link—the specter in Xavier’s dreams whose past is tangled in the existence of the bunker itself—becomes the lynchpin holding the series together, giving it momentum. Annie’s discarded, and her only legacy is a letter to her child that echoes Xavier’s message.

Television has made major strides in its depiction of nuanced female characters, but even the best shows can’t avoid all pitfalls. Over the past few years, speculative-fiction shows like House of the Dragon, The Handmaid’s Tale, Yellowjackets, The Last of Us, and even Bridgerton season 4 have explored pregnancy trauma and traumatic childbirth in scenes more graphic than Annie’s. While some of these have been controversial, they’ve also treated the death of the mother with gravitas, not glossing over the cruelty and sorrow. Instead, “A Holy Charge” joins Squid Game season 3 as a recent show in which a mother's death is sidelined for the male hero to find a new purpose as her baby’s caretaker. Considering how reproductive harm is a longstanding sci-fi trope, it’s troubling to think that a portion of mainstream Hollywood could be regressing in their approach to these stories. It’s also telling that this episode’s flashback juxtaposes Annie’s childbirth with a bunch of men (and Julianne Nicholson’s Sinatra) more concerned about the bunker’s first newborn than the mother who carried him to term.

Beyond the simplistic writing and lost potential, the most frustrating thing about Paradise’s discarding of Annie is that we know the show can do better. The fourth episode of Paradise’s first season, “Agent Billy Pace,” also ends with a central character’s tragic death. Over the course of an hour, we learn the titular assassin’s (Jim Beavers) tragic backstory and empathize with him as quickly as with Annie. But we also get to see Billy grow: his redemption arc, his feelings for Jane, and how his friendship with Xavier and love for Xavier’s kids inspire him to be better. Billy gets to be a whole person, not a character in a fable. Annie and all the other female characters coming to TV deserve the same courtesy.

It finally happened: One of the most toxic stories ever told is now over, thanks to the Tell Me Lies season 3 finale. The hit Hulu show concluded with its third installment, officially bringing an end to Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and Stephen's (Jackson White) messy college relationship. Or did it?

Going into the season 3 finale, fans of Tell Me Lies had many lingering questions. Why did Bree (Cat Missal) say she was the “worst person” Lucy knows? What did Stephen do to ruin Lucy's life sophomore year in 2009? And why in the world did Evan (Branden Cook) even invite Stephen to his wedding years later in 2015? Now that the finale finally aired on February 17, 2026, we've got our answers. (Well, mostly: Evan's continued friendship with Stephen remains an inexplicable error in judgment.)

The entire season of Hulu's college drama has been building up to the fact that Lucy was exposed for falsely accusing Chris (Jacob Rodriguez) of sexual assault. So, when Stephen coerced Lucy into confessing on camera in exchange for him not telling Bree about Lucy and Evan's drunken hookup, we thought we'd found our answer. But, in one of the most shocking twists in Tell Me Lies history, Stephen returned the tape to Lucy after she desperately begged him to release it.

So, who really released the tape? And what were the consequences? All was finally revealed in Tell Me Lies's season 3 finale, “Are You Happy Now That I'm on My Knees?” Read on for a breakdown of the ending of Tell Me Lies.

How does the 'Tell Me Lies' season 3 finale end?

The Tell Me Lies season 3 finale picks up right where the season's penultimate episode left off. Lucy, now in possession of the memory card with the taped confession Stephen coerced her into making, feels a renewed sense of power—and she wants to use it to make Stephen pay. So, instead of destroying the memory card right away, she decides to attend a Yale Law School event in the hopes of convincing a Yale representative to rescind Stephen's acceptance. She causes a scene, but inevitably fails in her mission to force her ex to face consequences, leaving her on his bad side. It's no surprise, then, that her taped confession was soon leaked online. A traumatized Lucy is then unceremoniously expelled and forced to leave Baird College immediately as her friends watch.

Fast forward to 2015, Bree and Evan's wedding reception is winding down, with only the Baird College crew left standing. After failing to ruin Bree and Evan's wedding by revealing that Evan and Lucy slept together in college, Stephen comes up with plan B. He decides he's going to break up with his fiancée and reveal to the entire wedding party that he and Lucy slept together earlier that day, that Bree and Wrigley (Spencer House) have been hooking up for months, and that he hates Evan and all of his friends.

Why does Stephen leave Lucy at the gas station in the 'Tell Me Lies' finale?

It's a very close call, but Lucy and Stephen end season 3 going in opposite directions—literally. After Stephen ruins the wedding, he sweet-talks Lucy into leaving with him. Despite knowing that Stephen will only ever be in a relationship to win or gain the upper hand, Lucy wants to believe him when he tells her that she's all he has left.

The two drive off into the sunrise. All is well until they stop for gas in the middle of nowhere. Lucy offers to get some coffee in the convenience store, but by the time she comes back out, Stephen is gone. But don't worry too much: In a rare act of uncharacteristic kindness, he at least had the courtesy to leave her purse.

The episode ends with Lucy realizing that Stephen is long gone, but instead of falling apart, she turns and laughs.

Showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer opened up about the moment to Marie Claire. She described her laugh as realizing she has hindsight to question her decisions and feeling like she can finally move on. "I think there's a part of her that feels some kind of relief knowing 'the secrets are out, my guilt is out, and I'm going to move on from this, and I can actually grow up,' because she's only what, 26? She's so young," Oppenheimer said.

The series creator added, "I think if [Lucy] had walked away, [Stephen] would have pursued. I think that because he does get the final move, and he gets to have that final laugh, she actually will be safe from him now. I just think that's how he works."

Who released Lucy's confession tape in 'Tell Me Lies?'

Before leaving Evan and Bree's wedding, Stephen drops one more bomb: He didn't release the tape that got Lucy expelled from Baird. It was Bree. In a flashback to 2009, Bree is summoned to a meeting with her mother, Oliver (Tom Ellis), Marianne (Gabriella Pession), and Amanda (Iris Apatow), the underage freshman Bree believes is Oliver's new student girlfriend. Marianne and Oliver accuse Bree of harassment and convince her mother that Bree is so infatuated with Oliver that she made up a romantic relationship in her head. Amanda sticks by Oliver and Marianne, and, unable to convince her mother to believe her, Bree is left without an ally.

What does this have to do with releasing Lucy's tape, you may ask? It sets the stage for Bree to do something uncharacteristically impulsive.

After her traumatic parent-teacher conference, Bree escapes to Evan's apartment. Once there, she discovers—via Facebook—that Evan slept with Lucy their freshman year. The betrayal by her mother, coupled with this fresh wound, sends Bree into revenge mode, and she releases the tape.

Do Bree and Wrigley get together at the end of 'Tell Me Lies?'

Bree and Wrigley never gave their relationship a real try in college, but there's still hope for them. The two share a sweet smile in the final moments at Bree and Evan's wedding, suggesting that this relationship is far from over.

Do any men face consequences in the end of 'Tell Me Lies?'

Unfortunately, the answer is “no”—except for Evan, who ends his wedding by face-planting into his wedding cake and is definitely headed towards an annulment. (It's the least he deserves after teaming up with Oliver to manipulate Bree into being with him.)

Otherwise, the men face very little consequence for their bad behavior. However, Stephen's admission to Yale Law is rescinded after Wrigley calls and tells them that he sent nude photos of Diana (Alicia Crowder) to her father. Still, in the future, Stephen is clearly successful, and, despite ending the season alone, he's also gotten away with pretty much all of his bad behavior—including killing Macy (Lily McInerny) in season 1.

Meanwhile, we can only assume Oliver is still up to his old tricks, dating students with his wife's help. Or, at the very least, it's clear that Bree never successfully outed him as a predator.

Will there be a 'Tell Me Lies' season 4?

Like Stephen and Lucy's relationship, it's time for Tell Me Lies to end. The series was not renewed for a season 4, as the creator/showrunner, Meaghan Oppenheimer, felt the show told its full story with three installments.

Oppenheimer confirmed the news with a statement on Instagram on February 16, 2026, just hours before the finale arrived on streaming. “After three amazing seasons of Tell Me Lies, tonight's episode will be the series finale,” she wrote. “This was always the ending my writing team and I had in mind, and we are insanely proud of it.”

The showrunner continued, saying that the fan response to season 3 caused the creative team to “explore whether there was another organic way to continue the story," but ultimately decided against it. "We felt it had reached its natural conclusion," Oppenheimer explained.

She spoke more about her decision to end the series in her Marie Claire interview. "From day one...I knew that the last breakup or downfall between Lucy and Stephen in their college years would culminate along with the wedding. I knew that those two arcs would climax at the same time," she said. "At the end of the day, it just felt like the most organic ending. Anything we did past this, we would have to really change the structure of the show, because the wedding has always been the framing device."

Still, she acknowledges how warmly the final season has been received and is excited about whatever may be next. She ended her Instagram announcement by writing, "Thank you for loving our show. We are excited to bring you more stories in the near future."

Ahead of Tell Me Lies season 3, creator and showrunner Meaghan Oppenheimer became obsessed with the fable of the scorpion and the frog.

As the story goes: a scorpion needs a frog’s help to cross a river. The frog hesitates, saying the scorpion will deploy its deadly sting, but the scorpion promises not to. Halfway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog, who asks why it would do that, dooming them both to death. The scorpion apologizes, but ultimately, it just couldn’t fight its true nature.

“There's always the question with Stephen (Jackson White) of is he going to change or hurt Lucy (Grace Van Patten), and she gives him that final chance,” Oppenheimer tells Marie Claire. “And the answer is: of course. He was going to hurt Lucy because this is who he is, and he can't help it, and he has to win.”

The choice in question refers to the final moments of the season 3 finale, which Oppenheimer and Hulu revealed Monday night will be the series’s conclusion. Oppenheimer said she wanted to keep the story contained, with a clear beginning, middle, and end—despite season 3’s record viewership and passionate fan engagement. As tempting as it was to pursue a fourth season, Oppenheimer said it would require reframing the entire show, which has always anchored itself to a wedding storyline that wrapped up in season 3.

“There was always a very specific core question for me: what happens to this group of friends when there is this absolutely toxic dynamic at the center of it, and then what happens when they reunite years later?” Oppenheimer explains days before the finale airs. With those questions answered, she and the writers felt confident in where and how to end Tell Me Lies.

Ahead, Oppenheimer discusses the decision to say goodbye, the psychology of her flawed characters, and the pivotal choices that have polarized fans throughout the season—including those jaw-dropping closing moments between the show’s proverbial scorpion and frog.

Marie Claire: We see Lucy really unraveling this season. I think the show does such a good job of putting the audience in her position so you really feel as she's wondering if she can trust her own mind. What was the kind of evolution of that in the writers room?

Meaghan Oppenheimer: It was important to show that that sort of emotional abuse; it really does detach you from yourself. I think people get very angry at her decisions but we wanted to make it clear that when you're in a relationship like that, you're not making decisions out of a stable place, you're coming from a fragmented place. I think Lucy already had the ability to sort of dissociate, which you see at other times earlier in the show—in season 2 when she does eye makeup on one eye, there have always been those little moments, those little hints—so it just felt like the most organic place that it could go. A lot of people have talked about: is this a romantic story? Is this a love story? Is this a story of abuse? I really wanted to leave no question this year that this is a story of emotional abuse. I don't see them as Bonnie and Clyde. I don't see them as equal villains. I see her as a victim of Stephen’s.

MC: That really speaks to how even when your heart is going through something, your mind and body are affected by it.

MO: Completely. Emotional and mental stress take such a physical toll. With Lucy, by episode 8, we're really seeing that detachment between her body and her mind. I talked to Grace about that scene where she's getting expelled, and I said I almost want it to feel like your brain and your body have not caught up with each other. So you're crying because something in you is literally weeping out of grief, but you have a smile on your face because you haven't reconciled those two realities with each other. And she did it so beautifully.

MC: Grace has said that this season for Lucy is about punishment. Another word that you've used in the past, for season 2, was “humiliation.” Tell me more about that.

MO: For me, humiliation has always been a big theme of the show. On a personal level, humiliation is one of those feelings for me that is one of the worst things you can feel. I was really taken by it in the book at how Carola [Lovering] was so brave, and how humiliating she allowed Lucy to be at times, which I don't think we see often. But the punishment—I talk a lot about what is the natural arc of things—it felt like people had escaped consequences a lot up until season 3, and the reality is that consequences do happen. There is sometimes a feeling in early adulthood that consequences are temporary and that you can always fix things, and I think one of the realities of growing up is realizing that some consequences are actually really permanent, and things do take a permanent toll on you. So thinking about punishment in that way, not even a just punishment, but almost the universe punishing these people, and also Lucy punishing herself.

MC: That's interesting, because now this is the series finale, there are quite a few things in the show where there aren't consequences—and that is a harsh reality as well.

MO: There are. Because there aren't always consequences for everything, and things are not fair. I thought that was very important, specifically with Stephen. He has consequences for some things, such as Yale—he loses out on that huge dream of his—but he gets away with a lot. He gets away with Macy (Lily McInerny). I always felt that he would get away with that crime, from day one. I thought that that would be realistic, and I think it's unfair to actual victims of this kind of abuse to pretend like justice always happens, because it doesn't.

But Evan (Branden Cook) gets some consequences; the wedding blows up in his face. I don't think he ends up getting the girl at the very end. I think that Bree (Cat Missal) and Lucy lose their friendship, so that's a consequence, but I also think there's some happy endings. That little smile at the end with Bree and Wrigley (Spencer House), there's hope for them in the future, and I think once this friend group sort of disintegrates—which it needs to in some ways—I think that they kind of find their happy ending eventually. But I wanted the justice to be imperfect and realistic like it is in real life. I know that not everyone will love that. I know that that will be polarizing, but it felt important to me to be honest with what I see in the world.

MC: I think we want that from TV, but we rarely get it in real life.

MO: There's been so much talk about in the last few years after #MeToo—"Oh, did we over do it? Did we cancel all these men?" I can tell you, there are men out there that are thriving, that have horrible secrets, and women as well. We see it now with everything that's happening in the world. Bad people are thriving, unfortunately.

MC: There are a couple times this season where Lucy kind of tries to beat Stephen at his own game. Do you feel that Stephen is infecting the people around him?

MO: Yeah. I think that is what happens in friend groups and friendships in general, relationships that are romantic or platonic. You end up learning from the people that you surround yourself with, and that's why it's so important to choose your friends and your relationships really carefully, because it's inevitable that we, to some degree, become the people that we spend the most time with. I think that Evan specifically learns a lot by just watching Stephen, and watching Stephen get away with things, and I certainly have seen that in friend groups before.

MC: That has led to a lot of criticism of the other characters besides Stephen—and healthy conversation as well, because they're all, to quote Wrigley, making terrible decisions. So how do you write or root for these morally gray characters and want the audience to view them?

MO: It's funny, I never have trouble rooting for flawed characters because I've literally never met a perfect person in my life. Most of my favorite people are very flawed, and especially at this age. Stephen is making some really unforgivable decisions. Evan, the one thing that he does that's kind of unforgivable is the thing with Bree's mom. But other than that, I think that the decisions these people are making, while they're flawed, are not inherently evil. They're the result of being immature, being in a bad environment, not having certain tools. So it's very easy for me to root for them, because they're not murderers. Most of them are not trying to inflict harm. For me, it's not hard, but it is funny when people talk about these characters being so terrible and they're so mad. I'm just like, "Wow, am I just surrounded by really terrible people? Because I don't think they're that bad." I am not surrounded by terrible people, I have great people in my life. I'm joking.

MC: But I was kind of thinking that we offer a lot of grace to television characters in that way, and not always in real life. I’m not sure viewers are making those connections.

MO: Without a doubt. There are so many characters on TV where I'm like, “Oh, they're a flawed anti-hero. They're amazing,” but if I actually met that person in real life, I would want nothing to do with them.

MC: It’s very tempting to compare apples to oranges when watching Tell Me Lies. I was just speaking with a friend about Pippa (Sonia Mena), and how she's very agitated that no one does anything about Stephen, yet she's not doing anything about Chris (Jacob Rodriguez)—and it's not the same. I don't want to compare those things. I don't want to watch the finale and compare everyone's struggles, but the temptation is there, and I wanted to bring that up.

MO: That's actually a really interesting point. When Pippa says that, the way that I interpreted or intended that to be is she's upset with Stephen's friends, not mad at Stephen's victims for not doing anything. She's mad at his friends that witness him hurting his victims. I do think that is a problem, especially with boys of that age, they tend to forgive a lot of bad behavior with their male friends in terms of how they treat girls. If you are a victim of any kind of sexual violence, I don't think it's that person's responsibility to come forward. You are allowed to have your trauma be as private as you want it to be, and that's why I don't blame Pippa for not coming forward and saying, "Hey, this happened to me. It didn't happen to Lucy." I had some comments of people being upset about that, but Pippa does not owe anyone that information. But it's easy to compare all of it for sure.

MC: I don’t think Pippa’s in a position to even see the parallel.

MO: I think that Pippa has a hard time forgiving Lucy in general, to be honest. Pippa is a bit hard on Lucy.

MC: It's hard to watch your friends go through that.

MO: Especially when there's someone as insufferable as Stephen around you end up just resenting the people that keep those guys around, even though they are so, so manipulated.

MC: Wrigley, to that end, is very much the saving grace this season, and I am not surprised at all by it, because Spencer is such a strong actor so that was very satisfying. How did that arc take shape?

MO: Him becoming such a hero was something that surprised me. A lot of it was honestly watching Spencer, getting to know Spencer. He brought so much that was not on the page with Wrigley initially. He has so much depth. He's such an empathetic person. He's a real caring, good guy, and you could see that in his eyes, in every scene, so it just became easy to write to it. I joke with him a lot about this; He gave an interview after season 2 that was like "I get a little bit bummed out because I see Wrigley in 2015 and I know he never gets out of this downward spiral, and I just have had to accept that, but I wish he had a win." And I was like, "Okay, I'm gonna take that challenge." I joke with him that there are a lot of people I would have just ignored that comment from, but he's such a great guy. I'm joking—but it was really nice to find a way to give him a hero arc.

MC: That final scene with Lucy had my jaw on the floor. I have so many interpretations, and I love that you've left it in a way that we can just pore over it. But what is your interpretation of that and of where things are left with her and Stephen?

MO: I think that's the end with her and Stephen, and I think she realizes it in that moment. He just needed her to choose him. It's what she says. He just needed her to choose him over everyone else, and then that's all he needed, and he can move on to the next person. Because he has that final win, and once he has the final win, the game is over. But I think that Lucy in that moment, you can only laugh. She can only laugh because she sees it all. Hindsight is perfect, and she realizes in that moment, "Oh, my God, look what I have done," but there's a freedom in that, and there's a release in that. Also, this friend group had to implode—I think certain people will say friends, but the group as a group, was just never something they could grow within. Even though it's catastrophic and it's horrible and these friendships explode, I think there's a part of her that feels some kind of relief knowing "the secrets are out, my guilt is out, and I'm going to move on from this, and I can actually grow up," because she's only what, 26? She's so young.

MC: You kind of answered my next question, which was why is it him leaving and not her refusing to go? So he can have the last move?

MO: I actually don't think she would have ever gotten freedom if she turned him down. I don't think she's making this move intentionally. I think that she actually does give him the chance and he betrays it, but the silver lining of that is that I think if she had walked away, he would have pursued. I think that because he does get the final move, and he gets to have that final laugh, she actually will be safe from him now. I just think that's how he works—and I think Diana learned that a long time ago.

MC: We’ve now confirmed that this is the last season. Did you always envision it as three after you started expanding on the book?

MO: I felt like three was a really good number. I think that it's a smaller story. I always felt like this needed to be a story that had a very solid beginning, middle, and end. I didn't want it to just be something that became a theme, if that makes sense. From day one, from when I wrote my initial pitch pages, I knew that the last breakup or downfall between Lucy and Stephen in their college years, would culminate along with the wedding. I knew that those two arcs would climax at the same time.

There were definitely questions. We had amazing numbers this year, and it's hard to walk away from something when the fan base is so loyal and so active. It's so much fun to make the show, but at the end of the day, it just felt like the most organic ending. Anything we did past this, we would have to really change the structure of the show, because the wedding has always been the framing device. I care so much about just keeping the quality good. It's hard to walk away from something when it's good, but I think the worst case scenario would be dragging something out too long, or not knowing when you're ending. There's so many shows when they don't even know that they're doing their finale, and so they leave stuff unfinished, and then they get canceled. I really never wanted that to happen. I wanted to wrap things up. But there was a lot of discussion.

MC: There's a lot of what I now understand are things that are deliberately open ended. There's so much that happens between 2009 and 2015 that fans can ponder. What do you have to say to them?

MO: There's certain things that I never anticipated being really answered. I never thought we would see how Lucy and Max (Edmund Donovan) get back together. I'm surprised that there are people that ask how Lydia (Natalee Linez) and Stephen got together? We answer that in season 2, when you see them have that conversation about how much Lucy sucks, and he's like, "Oh, maybe we'll see each other." It's clear, to me at least, that they get together to some degree out of spite towards Lucy, and that what Lydia considers Lucy's betrayal is what opens the door for that. My favorite kind of storytelling is stuff that does not overexplain everything, and leaves some stuff to the imagination. I think that that's the most elegant way of telling a story.

There's certain things that are actually boring to watch if you give all the answers. So I never intended to see all of those years in between college and adulthood. It was always about we're going to lead up to their final breakup in college, and then we're going to see this reunion in adulthood. Obviously, I hope the fans love the ending, but you can't please everyone. It just speaks to how dedicated our fans are, if they have a very strong reaction. But I feel good about the story. And all my writers really loved the story, the way that we ended it.

MC: You don't have to tell me if you did come up with stuff, but did you explore those gaps on your own or with the writers just to have the answers for yourselves?

MO: Yeah, for sure. Just so that we would understand sort of where the characters were coming from, we talked about where they'd been. We talked about what Lucy did after getting expelled. I think she probably ended up going back to school after maybe taking a year, but not probably a very good school. She gave up on writing, and she went into sales, which we talked about, and I think she was with Max because it was safe. But now that this explosion has happened, she will actually find real happiness, because it's all out of her system now. It was sort of a fake recovery before.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

If you're a diehard TV fan, chances are you're a bit behind in your watchlist. So many must-watch shows came out last year, from the returns of juggernauts like The White Lotus and Stranger Things to surprise word-of-mouth hits like The Pitt and Heated Rivalry. Now that 2026 is fully underway, it's time to take note of which upcoming shows will command the cultural conversation this year—and which are already out and worth bingeing.

That's where I come in, a full-time culture writer whose literal job is to keep up with the overwhelming amount of media coming our way. Throughout the year, I'll be keeping track of the best and buzziest TV shows coming to Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Apple TV, and more. Read on for my picks for the best TV shows of 2026 so far.

The Best TV Shows of Winter 2026

'The Pitt' season 2

Release Date: January 8, airing weekly on HBO Max

Starring: Noah Wyle, Katherine LaNasa, Patrick Ball, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, Shabana Azeez, Sepideh Moafi, Lucas Iverson, Irene Choi, and Meta Golding

Paging Dr. Robby! The Emmy-winning medical series is back for its second year, picking up 10 months later on a Fourth of July day shift. Some of the season-long arcs include Langdon's (Ball) first day back at work after rehab, the introduction of new med students Ogilvy (Iverson) and Joy (Choi), and Robby's (Wyle) power struggle with Dr. Al-Hashimi (Moafi), his replacement for an upcoming sabbatical.

WATCH IT

'Industry' season 4

Release Date: January 11, airing weekly on HBO

Starring: Myha'la, Marisa Abela, Ken Leung, Sagar Radia, Miriam Petche, Kit Harrington, Kiernan Shipka, Toheeb Jimoh, Max Minghella, Kal Penn, and Charlie Heaton

After bringing its Pierpoint era to an end in the season 3 finale, HBO's most undersung series reinvents itself in its fourth season. Harper (Myha'la) now leads her own team funded by a powerful backer, while Yasmin (Abela) navigates her new role as Henry's (Harrington) dutiful wife. Add a buzzy fintech start-up that enters everybody's orbit, and we're promised a propulsive new season.

WATCH IT

'Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette'

Release Date: February 12, airing weekly on FX/Hulu

Starring: Sarah Pidgeon, Paul Kelly, Naomi Watts, Grace Gummer, Sydney Lemmon, and Alessandro Nivola

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Ryan Murphy debuted his latest anthology based on a true story, after American Crime Story and American Sports Story. The first iteration of Love Story follows the whirlwind romance between Carolyn Bessette (Pidgeon), then a Calvin Klein employee, and scion John F. Kennedy, Jr. (Kelly). Their relationship was the subject of constant tabloid fodder before ending in tragedy, and the series imagines what went on in their private relationship. Come for the incredible performances, stay for the '90s fashion inspiration.

WATCH IT

'Boyfriend on Demand'

Release Date: March 6 on Netflix

Starring: Jisoo, Seo In-guk, Ha Young, Gong Min-jeung, Jo Han-chul, Lee Hak-joo, Kim Sung-cheol, Lee Soo-hyuk, Seo Kang-jun, and Yoo In-na

If you like your love stories more comedic than dramatic, this K-drama rom-com follows office worker Seo Mi-rae (Jisoo) as she tests a dating VR game with love interests based on all the best romance tropes. This series excels in balancing its escapist premise with a thoughtful, realistic look at love in the modern age.

WATCH IT

The Best TV Shows Coming in Spring 2026

'The Comeback'

Release Date: March 22, airing weekly on HBO

Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Dan Bucatinsky, Laura Silverman, Damian Young, Tim Bagley, Jack O'Brien, Andrew Scott, Matt Cook, Ella Stiller, John Early, Barry Shabaka Henley, Abbi Jacobson, Tony Macht, Brittany O'Grady, Zane Phillips, and Julian Stern

Lisa Kudrow's cult-classic Hollywood satire returns for a third and final season, 21 years after its 2005 debut and almost 12 years since its 2014 sophomore season. We can't wait to see how sitcom star (and now executive producer!) Valerie Cherish (Kudrow) handles what Hollywood has become, from TikTok and Hot Ones to AI and streaming.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'The Testaments'

Release Date: April 8, airing weekly on Hulu

Starring: Ann Dowd, Chase Infiniti, Lucy Halliday, Rowan Blanchard, and Mattea Conforti

Brace yourselves for a return to Gilead. Hulu's follow-up to The Handmaid's Tale will adapt Margaret Atwood's 2019 sequel novel, with Ann Dowd returning as Aunt Lydia. The series will follow a new group of young women—including June's (Elisabeth Moss) now-16-year-old daughter, Hannah, known as Agnes (Infiniti), as she struggles to come of age in the dystopia.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Euphoria' season 3

Release Date: April 12, airing weekly on HBO

Starring: Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, Hunter Schafer, Sydney Sweeney, Alexa Demie, Maude Apatow, Eric Dane, and Colman Domingo

It's been a long wait for Euphoria fans—so long that its characters have aged out of high school and college—but season 3 of the pop-culture phenomenon is just months away. The new episodes will pick up five years after graduation, with dozens of new stars (including Rosalía!) filling out the East Highland crew's new lives in L.A., N.Y.C., Mexico, and...the suburbs?

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Margo's Got Money Troubles'

Release Date: April 15, airing weekly on Apple TV

Starring: Elle Fanning, Nicole Kidman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Angarano, and Nick Offerman

All you need to hear to be excited for this show: David E. Kelley adapts Rufi Thorpe's buzzy 2024 novel, Michelle Pfeiffer and (newly minted Oscar nominee) Elle Fanning leading the cast. It follows Margo (Fanning), a 20-year-old single mom, as she searches for a way out of poverty after getting pregnant by her English professor.

WATCH THE TRAILER

'Beef' season 2

Release Date: April 16 on Netflix

Starring: Charles Melton, Cailee Spaney, Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Song Kang-ho, and Youn Yuh-jung

Netflix and A24's acerbic drama finally returns, three years after its Emmy-winning debut. The anthology's second season is a tale of two couples employed at an exclusive L.A. country club. When the younger pair (played by Melton and Spaeny) witness a fight between the elder (Isaac and Mulligan), they "use the recording to get ahead in their own careers," per Vanity Fair.

WATCH THE TEASER

'Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed'

Release Date: May 20, airing weekly on Apple TV

Starring: Tatiana Maslany, Jake Johnson, Brandon Flynn, Murray Bartlett, Jessy Hodges, Jon Michael Hill, Charlie Hall, Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg, Nola Wallace, and Dolly De Leon

Once again, Apple TV comes through with a star-studded cast and a can't-miss premise: "Convinced she witnessed a crime—while simultaneously struggling through a custody battle and an identity crisis—Paula (Maslany) begins her own investigation, one that could unravel a greater conspiracy while also holding the keys to rebuilding her family and sense of self."

The Best TV Shows Coming Summer 2026

'Lucky'

Release Date: July 15, airing weekly on Apple TV

Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Drew Starkey, Clifton Collins Jr., and William Fichtner

In her first television role since The Queen's Gambit and Peaky Blinders, Anya Taylor-Joy returns to the small screen in this adaptation of Marissa Stapley's novel. The thriller miniseries follows the titular con artist (Taylor-Joy) as she flees from both sides of the law after a multi-million-dollar heist gone wrong.

WATCH THE TEASER

'The Vampire Lestat'

Release Date: TBA on AMC

Starring: Sam Reid, Jacob Anderson, Eric Bogosian, Assad Zaman, Delainey Hayles, Jennifer Ehle, and Sheila Atim

The third season of AMC's Interview with the Vampire will adapt the second novel in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles series, with Lestat (Reid) taking center stage as he ascends to rock royalty. Come for the original songs and Lestat-Louis (Anderson) toxicity, stay for the TV debut of legendary characters like Akasha (Atim).

WATCH THE FIRST LOOK

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'Hacks' season 5

Release Date: TBA on HBO Max

Starring: Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Paul W. Downs, Meg Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, and Christopher Briney

Though it's currently unclear whether season 5 will be Hacks's last, we're guaranteed at least one more season of Ava (Einbinder) and Deborah (Smart) hijinks. After that false death announcement in the season 4 finale, Deborah will return to the U.S. (more specifically, N.Y.C.!) for what's sure to be a hilarious comeback.

'Half Man'

Release Date: TBA on HBO Max

Starring: Richard Gadd, Jamie Bell, Mitchell Robertson, and Stuart Campbell

In his highly anticipated Baby Reindeer follow-up, the renowned series creator Richard Gadd once again examines masculinity, this time via a decades-spanning family drama. According to the logline, "When Niall's (Bell) estranged 'brother' Ruben (Gadd) shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives."

'House of the Dragon' season 3

Release Date: TBA on HBO

Starring: Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Matt Smith, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Harry Collett, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, and Phia Saban

2026 is a big year for Game of Thrones fans: Not only did A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms premiere in January, but House of the Dragon returns for its third season. Though HotD has gone through some drama behind the scenes, here's hoping the battles foreshadowed in season 2 will be as epic as its predecessor's.

Few teen dramas have more adequately portrayed the terror of toxic men quite like Tell Me Lies. The Hulu hit tells the twisted, terrifying story of Baird College student Lucy (Grace Van Patten) and her on-again-off-again relationship with Stephen (Jackson White). But Stephen isn't the only predator on this fictional college campus; in fact, he's far from it. Season 2 presented a brand new threat: the married Professor Oliver (Tom Ellis), who set his sights on Lucy's best friend Bree (Catherine Missal) during the first semester of her sophomore year.

In the season 3 premiere, which hit streaming on January 13, 2026, Oliver is not only back in Bree's orbit, but he's back to his old tricks. At least, that's what Bree thinks after she spots an impressionable freshman coming out of Professor Oliver's office upon her return from winter break. So when she sees that same freshman at a bar in episode 2, Bree can't help but introduce herself. Amanda, played by series newcomer Iris Apatow, quickly gains her trust. So much so that later, Amanda confesses to Bree that she and her boyfriend from home broke up because she cheated with a “way older” married man. She even admits to Bree that she met this mysterious new fling at a Christmas party hosted by his wife—just like the one Bree attended in season 2.

It sure sounds like Amanda has gotten caught in Oliver's web, but maybe there's more to the situation than meets the eye. While we wait to find out, here's everything you need to know about the newest Tell Me Lies cast member, Iris Apatow.

Iris Apatow is an actress and the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann.

If the name Iris Apatow sounds familiar to you, there's a good reason. The 23-year-old was practically raised on camera. The youngest daughter of prolific comedy filmmaker Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Trainwreck) and actress Leslie Mann (Blockers, How to Be Single) appeared in her first major role at just 5-years-old. She was directed by her father and starred opposite her mother in the 2007 blockbuster Knocked Up, playing her mom's on-screen daughter, alongside her real-life big sister, Maude Apatow. And she's been stealing scenes ever since—mostly appearing in her father's projects like This Is 40 (2012), Love (2016-2018), and The Bubble (2022). Recently, however, she's been branching out on her own, including her new role in Tell Me Lies.

Despite her pivot away from her father's filmography, Iris isn't shy about acknowledging her nepo baby status. “When people comment, like ‘nepo baby,’ it gets you at first,” Apatow told Bustle in 2024. “People stumble because it does feel like an ego kick, but it should be more excitement, that you can prove yourself and make things that are great and make people happy.”

“At the end of the day, I'm proud of both things. I'm proud of the work that will come out of being on my own, but obviously [family connections] helped me,” she continued. “So I always want to be very transparent that I am aware of that, and understand it now.”

Speaking with her sister, Maude, for Interview Magazine, Iris admitted that working with their famous parents as an adult on The Bubble helped put her career into perspective. “Working with them as an 18-year-old, I felt the weight and the expectations to really do my part and work hard, because I was in such a privileged situation,” she explained. “I wasn't 6 anymore, I couldn't laugh around and not memorize my lines. That's what made it amazing.”

Iris Apatow is dating Sam Nivola.

Apatow's boyfriend, Sam Nivola—son of actors Alessandro Nivola and Emily Mortimer—recently enjoyed his own television breakout playing Lochlan in season 3 of The White Lotus. The two keep their relationship mostly private, but have been known to attend events together. They even walked the White Lotus season 3 premiere red carpet side by side.

She's also BFFs with Olivia Rodrigo.

Apatow doesn't just have a famous family—she has famous friends, too. One of her longtime BFFs is none other than Olivia Rodrigo. In fact, the two can frequently be spotted on each other's Instagram pages, like recent photos that show them ringing in the New Year together or celebrating Halloween in coordinated Elphaba and Glinda costumes. Apatow has also played a role in Rodrigo's career, appearing in Rodrigo's iconic “bad idea right?” music video.

The two are so close that they even lived together at some point, although it's unclear whether or not they still do today. (Apatow told Flaunt Magazine last year that she had moved from L.A. to N.Y.C.) The actor dished on her roommate situation during an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show in 2022, telling Barrymore that she and her pop star BFF have “Sex & the City movie nights” together.

Apatow will appear in 'The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.'

In addition to Tell Me Lies season 3, Apatow has a couple of exciting projects on the horizon. Soon, she'll star in the horror film Ballerina Overdrive, appearing alongside Lana Condor, Avantika, Maddie Ziegler, Millicent Simmonds, and Uma Thurman. The film—which doesn't have a release date but is expected to stream on Prime Video—follows a ballet troupe as they fight for survival when they check into a mysterious inn after their bus breaks down on the way to a dance competition.

In November, she'll appear in what might be her biggest project yet: The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Based on Suzanne Collins's Hunger Games prequel novel about the 50th games, Apatow will bring to life Proserpina Trinket, sister of the iconic Effie Trinket (to be played by Elle Fanning in the new movie).

And that's just her work in Hollywood. Apatow is also making a name for herself as a model. She previously modeled for Rodarte, has worked with Chanel, and, in the summer of 2025, she made a splash as the face of the Stanley X LoveShackFancy collaboration collection.

As for what comes next, Apatow is working on it. She recently told Elle that her dream “is to be in a Sofia Coppola movie,” but for now, she seems happy to explore what's out there. “I'm still in a discovery phase,” she told Flaunt Magazine in a 2025 interview. “I just want to try everything.”

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is the newest reality-TV sensation, with millions of fans who can't get enough of the Hulu series. So naturally, after its record-breaking first season, SLOMW began airing reunion specials. But anyone who's tuned into one of these episodes knows that the special events can be...underwhelming, to say the least.

The post-season reunion is a time-honored tradition of reality docusoaps. Some time after production concludes, cast members gather to react to the season's lingering dramas, after everyone has watched all the episodes and seen what their "friends" and co-stars have been saying behind each other's backs. Ideally, the reunion ends by giving the cast a clean slate heading into a new season of filming, but SLOMW's production schedule means that these specials can leave fans with the same unanswered questions they had before watching.

Below, we break down how The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 3 reunion fit into the show's filming timeline, and why the special episodes have left fans unimpressed.

When are the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' reunion specials filmed?

Ever since season 1 became a pop-culture phenomenon, it's seemed like the team behind The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives never puts their cameras down. Seasons 2 and 3 of the reality series were greenlit together and essentially filmed back-to-back, with season 2 spanning October to December 2024 and season 3 going from around March 2025 to that May. Meanwhile, SLOMW's season 2 reunion was filmed around April 2025—when cameras had already been rolling on season 3 for at least a month.

While season 2 did have some buzzy moments—most notably Demi Engemann skipping the reunion, and Jen Affleck revealing a recording of Demi telling her what to say in front of cameras—fan consensus was that the special was essentially a prolonged teaser for season 3. Developments had already happened in the cast's many feuds, but since what happened off-screen would have been seen as a spoiler, several discussions ended with some form of "you'll have to wait for season 3." Off-camera social-media drama is usually fodder for reality-TV reunions, so delaying those conversations for later episodes is understandably frustrating for viewers.

Unfortunately, season 3's reunion follows a similar pattern with fewer truly buzzy moments. Though the filming date hasn't been confirmed, internet sleuths believe the special was filmed sometime between August and November 2025. On October 21, 2025, for example, Jen revealed to PEOPLE that she was filming SLOMW while she was on Dancing with the Stars. So the season 3 reunion was either filmed right before cameras started rolling on season 4 or, more likely, in the middle once again.

Why do fans criticize 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' reunions?

If an SLOMW fan skips the season 3 reunion, odds are they would enter season 4 with the same amount of information they had at the end of season 3's finale. Where do the #MomTok women stand with Demi and Whitney? Pretty much the same place (unspoken resentment). Have Mikayla Matthews and her husband, Jace, resolved their intimacy issues? No, it's been a couple of months, and she just had a baby. Where does Taylor Frankie Paul stand with Chase McWhorter? We have to wait for season 4. (However, it doesn't matter because she's currently filming The Bachelorette as the reunion airs.) As for that renewed Fruity Pebbles drama that everyone was talking about a week ago? Better tune in for season 4, because that hadn't even happened when the special was filmed.

The biggest development in the reunion is that #DadTok went on Vanderpump Villa season 2. (Except, I could stand for them to stop trying to make #DadTok happen, and I also never need to hear any of these people utter the words Vanderpump Villa ever again.)

These extra episodes are essentially pointless if the cast can't share new information or resolve anything, because those goals are the entire point of filming a reunion. Without that, viewers are left with awkward segments, like this special's extended product placement. SLOMW already releases two seasons a year at this point—a breakneck speed, even for a genre that already has a streamlined production process. #MomTok has become known for rewriting the rules of reality TV, and the show can once again do things differently than other shows. If the ratings from a reunion are too good to pass up, producers need to let the show's drama breathe. Eventually, fans who are tired of hearing "wait til next season" may do just that.

We’ve waited all year long to cuddle up in our favorite cozy PJs and kick back on the couch as we get into the holiday spirit. Now, the time is finally upon us, and we’re practically giddy with excitement. You could watch one of the best festive movies for the umpteenth time (it's tradition!), or you could opt for something new with one of the best Christmas specials coming to TV in 2025.

Considering the stars that came out for last year’s lineup (ahem, Sabrina Carpenter!), our hopes for this year were high—but it's clear the holiday cheer ante has already been upped. For instance, all of the classics are back with A-listers on board to appear, and Meghan Markle has already announced her own holiday special on Netflix.

We're making a list and checking it twice to see what's in store and needs to be added to our required watching calendars, from must-watch concerts to holiday parades. To help keep track, below, we're rounding up the best Christmas TV specials airing in 2025, plus when and where to watch them. (If you cut the cable cords and are curious what's coming to Netflix this year, we have a Netflix-only holiday guide, too.)

'The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade'

Nothing sets the holiday tone quite like The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and this year, the lineup is seriously stacked: Everyone from Busta Rhymes and Ciara to Debbie Gibson and Jewel is set to appear for its 99th run. Keep an eye out for a few new balloons, too, including Buzz Lightyear, Mario, and Pac-Man.

Airing on Thursday, November 27 at 8:30 a.m. ET/PT on NBC

'The Wonderful World of Disney Holiday Spectacular'

Don’t sleep on Disney’s Christmas special—it’s not just for the kiddos. Filmed at Disney’s resorts in Florida, California, and Hawaii, this "spectacular" show has Christmas serenades planned from some of the best in the biz: We’re talking Gwen Stefani, Bebe Rexha, Good Charlotte, and Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls.

Airing on Monday, December 1 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streaming on Hulu

'CMA Country Christmas'

Not into pop? No problem. Tune into ABC the following evening for Nashville’s take on your favorite X-Mas carols courtesy of Lady A, Little Big Town, and more. This one’s filmed live, so you never know what kind of Christmas magic might occur!

Airing on Tuesday, December 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streaming on Hulu

'Christmas in Rockefeller Center'

You already know the kinds of Christmas miracles the Rockefeller Center Tree is capable of creating (Home Alone 2, anyone?). This is your chance to see its more than 50,000 lights and Swarovski topper up close and personal. Reba McEntire is hosting this year’s two-hour NBC special, which will see the tree lit for 2025. She’ll also have a little help from her friends Marc Anthony, Halle Bailey, Michael Bublé, Kristin Chenoweth, Gwen Stefani, and more, all of whom will be on hand for the tradition dating back to 1933.

Airing on Wednesday, December 3 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock

'With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration'

Move over, Sabrina! The former Duchess of Sussex is coming for the “Manchild” singer’s Netflix Christmas crown with the debut of her own holiday special on the streaming platform, spun off from her With Love, Meghan reality series. According to Netflix (and the show’s trailer), Megan will “[share] how she likes to make this time with family and friends especially memorable and meaningful” and “give you simple how-tos to follow at home.” (We suspect there will be plenty of holiday style inspo, too.)

Airing on Wednesday, December 3 on Netflix

'Christmas in Nashville'

Oh, you thought one country Christmas special was enough? Never. Thus far, NBC has garnered "dazzling performances" from faves like Bill Murray & His Blood Brothers, Lauren Alaina, NE-YO, The War and Treaty, and Trace Adkins, with Trisha Yearwood on as the host to lead the merrymaking.

Airing on Tuesday, December 3 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock

'The Hallmark Christmas Experience: A Hometown Holiday Christmas Special'

Hallmark has been a staple of the holiday season since 1951, when its very first Christmas movie aired. Nowadays, the network’s spirit is legendary, with an entire legion of fans dedicated to its classic films, so it’s only fitting that Hallmark would think to film its upcoming Hallmark Christmas Experience event when it kicks off on November 28 in Kansas City, Missouri. Fan favorites like Lacey Chabert, Tyler Hynes, and Andrew Walker (all staples on the Hallmark Christmas circuit) will be featured, with a few musical performances, too. The network is also teasing some “behind-the-scenes sneak peeks” that you won’t want to miss.

Airing on Saturday, December 6 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel and streaming on Hallmark+

'Kevin Costner Presents: The First Christmas'

The Bodyguard actor will retell the epic journey of Mary and Joseph as they make their way to Bethlehem. “It's a story I think we all think we know," he told PEOPLE of the upcoming special. “Maybe some of us know a lot, maybe you know just a little, maybe you're a believer, maybe you're a cynic or maybe—hopefully—you're just curious to find out the real story that's behind the tradition."

Airing on Tuesday, December 9 on Hulu

'A Motown Christmas'

Smokey Robinson himself returns to co-host NBC’s A Motown Christmas special this year alongside Halle Bailey. If that wasn’t already enough star power for you, Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Ashanti, Jamie Foxx, JoJo, Jordin Sparks, and mgk will also be serving plenty of Christmas cheer, per Deadline.

Airing on Tuesday, December 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and streaming on Peacock

'iHeart Radio Jingle Ball 2025'

This year’s iHeart Radio Jingle Ball performers are all on your musical Christmas wish list, with OGs like Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll, mgk, and Nelly performing alongside up-and-comers like Reneé Rapp, The Kid LAROI, and Zara Larsson. And you won’t even need a ticket to join in on the holiday fun this year, since ABC is airing it all on Dec. 17.

Airing on Wednesday, December 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

'Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Seasoning Spectacular'

Jimmy Fallon returns with his annual holiday special, setting out to find cheer in N.Y.C. by calling on his celeb pals. Dolly Parton, the Jonas Brothers, Meghan Trainor, Cara Delevigne, Justin Timberlake, and the rest of Fallon's Christmas crew are all set to appear.

Airing on Wednesday, December 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC

'A Saturday Night Live Christmas'

If you wished for Santa to bring you a bit of laughter this holiday season, you’re in luck. NBC is rounding up all of its most hilarious, classic SNL holiday-themed skits of yesteryear with this special.

And for even more from Studio 8H, you can tune into their actual holiday episode, set to air on Saturday, December 20. Beloved returning host and Wicked queen Ariana Grande returns to spearhead the episode, while icon Cher has been tapped as the musical guest.

Airing on Thursday, December 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC

'Christina Aguilera: Christmas in Paris'

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of her hit holiday album My Kind of Christmas, Christina Aguilera is fa-la-la-ing and saying, "Joyeux Noël." The pop superstar shot a concert special from the City of Lights, specifically filmed in front of the Musée du Quai Branly with the picturesque Eiffel Tower in the background. In it, she sings holiday classics, shares insights on love and motherhood, and is joined by musical legends like Sheila E. and the French star Yseult.

Airing on Monday, December 22 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS

'Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade'

Disney is going all out for the 40th anniversary of its Christmas Day Parade. In addition to the incredible floats that will be lined up for the event (Alice and the Mad Hatter, Mickey and Minnie, Timon and Rafiki, the gang’s all here!), there’s a ton of performances that will appeal to your inner child. Alfonso Ribeiro, a.k.a. Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, will be performing alongside Julianne Hough, Elton John will belt out “Tiny Dancer,” and John Legend will do his signature crooning on “Last Christmas.” Pentatonix will also sing “12 Days of Christmas.”

Airing on Thursday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m. ET/PT on ABC

'Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest'

Back for its 53rd year(!), New Year's Rockin' Eve will broadcast the ball drop live from N.Y.C. The lineup has yet to be revealed, but considering that they managed to get everyone from TLC to Kesha last year, our hopes are high.

Airing on Wednesday, Dec. 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC

'New Year's Eve Live: Nashville's Big Bash'

Country music fans will want to tune into CBS on New Year’s Eve to catch Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Bailey Zimmerman as they kick 2026 off on a musical high with live performances galore.

Airing on Wednesday, December 31 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CBS

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives became an instant reality TV phenomenon when it debuted in September 2024—and since then, the Hulu hit has been on a bullet train that doesn’t show signs of stopping. Seasons 2 and 3 both premiered in 2025, but even before the release of the third installment on November 13, 2025, stars Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck competed on Dancing With the Stars, Mayci Neeley published a memoir, and #MomTok leader Taylor Frankie Paul was announced as the next Bachelorette. The casting move wove a reality TV Multiverse of Madness—and cemented the Mormon Wives in the pop culture canon.

The drama truly never stops with the Mormon Wives, and not just because they blast it all over TikTok. Because so much has been happening on- and off-screen (especially since season 3 was filmed in spring 2025 before it premiered in November), fans have been wondering if their show will return for more and what might be captured on camera. Below, we’re breaking down everything we know about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 4.

Has 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' been renewed for season 4?

Pour out a dirty soda: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives has officially been renewed for more! Hulu announced in a press release that it ordered 20 more episodes of the reality TV hit. So, not only is a fourth installment confirmed, but season 5 is also on the way. (Season 2 and 3 also each featured 10 episodes ordered together and then filmed back-to-back.)

The renewal came just under two weeks after the season 3 premiere and was all but a given: The show's viewership has consistently grown, and season 3 instantly landed at No. 1 on the Hulu Top 15 Today list. (That's not to mention that star Jen Affleck let it slip in an October interview with PEOPLE that she was simultaneously filming Dancing With the Stars and SLOMW.) But we'll take it!

When will 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 4 be released?

God bless: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 4 will premiere on Thursday, March 12, with all 10 episodes airing on Hulu. Hulu confirmed the news via a press release in late January.

It's unclear when the entire season was filmed, but based on Jen's comments, it was shot at least partially in fall 2025.

TSLOMW tends to follow a rapid release schedule, so season 4 comes just four months after season 3. That's not to mention the reunion that dropped in early December (although fans expressed frustration over how much was left unresolved/only teased at, in anticipation of season 4). Still, there's always something going on with #MomTok, so we expect season 4 to be a highly anticipated release, nevertheless.

Who in 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' cast will return for season 4?

We should see more of the entire core cast in The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 4. So, Jen Affleck, Demi Engemann, Whitney Leavitt, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Jessi Ngatikaura, Taylor Frankie Paul, Layla Taylor, and Miranda McWhorter will all return.

When Taylor was announced as the next lead in ABC’s The Bachelorette franchise, some fans were concerned that meant they would see less of her on SLOMW. When she revealed the casting on a September episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, however, she said she would pull double duty on both shows. Based on the production schedules or what the producers decide to show on and off-screen, she could be in less of the Hulu series.

We’ll also have to wait and see how much Demi and Whitney are featured in season 4. The trailer (more on that below) teased Demi's return after she wasn't prominently in season 3, following an attempt to negotiate for higher pay (which ultimately contributed to her feud with Jessi). And Whitney admitted to the cameras that she only returned for season 3 so she could audition for Dancing With the Stars.

What will 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 4 be about?

When it comes to fueling the flames of drama on and off camera, no one does it better than the Mormon Wives. And, thankfully, we already have an idea of what we can expect from season 4.

When Hulu confirmed the season 4 premiere date, it also shared the installment's official synopsis: "The stakes for #MomTok are at an all-time high as their sisterhood faces the forces of their expanding fame. When Taylor is announced as 'The Bachelorette,' and Jen and Whitney head to Dancing with the Stars, competition creates chaos, temptations arise, and tradition turns upside down. Up against unraveling marriages, personal demons, and family secrets—they must choose to lean on each other or face their fates untethered and alone on the world’s stage. Will the women remain loyal to their sisterhood to save it? Or will #MomTok shatter forever?"

Things seemingly heated up on the dance floor when Whitney and Jen were on DWTS season 34, which culminated in a feud between them. Jen, who was eliminated from the show the week of October 28, told E! News she and Whitney were “not on good terms.”

“There is no relationship,” Jen said of Whitney. “Because being on Dancing With the Stars was a dream of both of ours, we—at least for me—just wanted to make that experience only positive and leave the drama for our other show. Unfortunately, there [were] moments where it was hard [for it to not] bleed into Dancing With the Stars.”

We'll also have to wait and see just how much of Taylor's journey on The Bachelorette also makes it onto TSLOMW. Season 4 could show the behind-the-scenes of how she was cast, a glimpse into her preparation for the show, her family’s reaction, or even the filming process. The season, set to premiere on March 22, 2026, is in the midst of filming and began shooting in the fall.

Taylor’s ex, Dakota Mortensen, remains an active member of #DadTok—the coalition of #MomTok partners currently making their own social media content—and was featured heavily in season 3, which could mean SLOMW will continue to document any drama between the exes. His infidelity, unveiled at the end of season 3, may have been what sent Taylor running into ABC’s arms, and audiences might expect to hear his reaction to the news in the next season or see how it affects their coparenting.

There’s also the ongoing feud between Demi and Jessi. Though they agreed in season 3 to move on from their argument, they hardly reconciled. After season 3 aired, Demi participated in bedding brand Cozy Earth’s bed rot challenge with Whitney and took part in a lie detector test for the concept. When Whitney asked her if she thought Jessi was “good at color and extension,” Demi quickly replied, “No.” Jessi then responded with her own TikTok, in which she prances around her hair salon JZ Styles while lip-syncing to Taylor Swift’s “Father Figure.” “Some say I can’t do hair,” the video’s caption reads. “But this empire belongs to me.” So, it’s safe to say there may be even more jabs exchanged between the two women in forthcoming episodes.

Is there a trailer for 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 4?

Is there a trailer for 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 4?

Oh, baby! Hulu dropped a teaser for season 4 when it unveiled the premiere date—and it's a doozy! Recapping the reality stars's whirlwind past year in which they've spread their wings, Layla praises their accomplishments while adding, "All the cool opportunities could potentially pull us apart."

Beyond that, many tears are shed, leading to heartwarming embraces and intense phone calls. One moment in particular that stands out features Taylor crying on the phone as she exclaims, "I hate you all because you all knew." Meanwhile, a rumor is thrown out that she could be a "pregnant Bachelorette." Truly, how will #MomTok survive this? We'll have to wait and see!

The official season 4 trailer dropped one month later with a major confirmation: Demi is back. After her brief hiatus in season 3, it seems the reality show's villain is fully back. The clip shows her and Brett both attending #MomTok group events and chronicling her attempt to get a singing career off the ground. (We'll have to wait til the season drops to see how serious said attempt is.)

The season 4 trailer also shows the women adapting to their fame. Whitney and Jen are on DWTS, Mayci's on a book tour, and Layla's in New York Fashion Week. Also, though Taylor's Bachelorette announcement is imminent, she's still hanging out with Dakota and, of all people, Too Hot to Handle and Perfect Match alum Harry Jowsey! Meanwhile, all of the couples seem to be fighting, and the women may be reaching their breaking points. Never a dull moment.

This story includes references to child abuse and sexual assault. If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of sexual assault or harassment and would like help, visit RAINN.org.

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and #MomTok star Mikayla Matthews gained a reputation online for her wholesome content and on the Hulu reality show for her sarcastic, deadpan responses. While some of her costars and influencer friends are quick to stir drama, she’s on the quieter side, but still unafraid to tell it like it is.

Mikayla has also stepped into the spotlight more throughout the reality hit’s run. In addition to becoming more comfortable with standing up to the other #MomTok women (ahem, Whitney) and revealing her fourth pregnancy in season 2, she also began to speak more candidly about surviving childhood sexual abuse. In seasons 3 and 4, even more of her personal issues come into the fold. Below, read on to find out everything you need to know about Mikayla on- and offscreen on SLOMW.

Mikayla Matthews is a Utah-based influencer and content creator.

Mikayla, 26, is a content creator with over 3.3 million TikTok followers. Her content explores motherhood and documents her journey with chronic illness. She announced that she and her husband, Jace Terry, were expecting their fourth child in February 2025, and the early days of her pregnancy are shown towards the end of season 2. When we see Mikayla again in season 3, she’s seven to eight months pregnant, and she filmed season 4 at four weeks postpartum. Like some of her SLOMW costars, including Jessi Ngatikaura, Mikayla was raised Mormon, but has stated on multiple platforms that she no longer practices.

Mikayla married her husband Jace Terry when she was 17.

Mikayla married her husband Jace in 2018 at 17-years-old. In an episode of "The Squeeze" podcast with Tay Lautner, Mikayla describes moving out of her mother’s house to live with her sister at 15. Shortly thereafter, she met Jace through her sister, who worked with Jace’s roommate. Within “less than a month” of meeting Jace, Mikayla found out she was pregnant at 16. Though the two “barely knew each other,” Jace expressed support when Mikayla said she wanted to see the pregnancy through. She gave birth to their first child, a son named Beckham, in July 2017. They married a few months later.

“I think all that was traumatizing, but also it was so helpful being with someone like Jace because, again, he's been so patient with me,” Mikayla shared on "The Squeeze" podcast. “He truly wants me to be the best version of myself.”

The two are also parents of daughters Haven (born in 2019), Tommie (born in 2021), and Lottie (born in July 2025).

Mikayla and her husband Jace spend season 3 struggling with intimacy issues in their relationship.

Mikayla reveals in season 2 of SLOMW that she was sexually abused from age 6 to 15 and, within the “last six years,” sex began to trigger her trauma. She explains that she still struggles with the abuse she survived and attends therapy for the first time about midway through season 2.

In season 3, Mikayla explains that she has intimacy issues because of her past, and she and Jace spend the majority of the episodes navigating the impact those struggles have on their relationship. In episode 5, Mikayla attends an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy session in hopes of starting to unravel her struggles. During the session, she explains more about her difficulty with being vulnerable and how there’s a lot Jace doesn’t know about her abuse. Jace, meanwhile, says in a confessional that he has a hard time developing an emotional and vulnerable relationship with Mikayla, saying it “just leads to me feeling like my wife doesn’t love me.”

Things come to a head when the #MomTok women and their partners go to Stagecoach Music Festival together. At that point, Mikayla had not yet scheduled a couples therapy appointment for her and Jace, despite her EMDR therapist recommending it. So while they’re away, Mikayla and Jace attempt to orchestrate an intimate night for just the two of them in their room’s jacuzzi. After encountering some technical difficulties getting the jacuzzi jets to start and a migration to the hot tub, Mikayla finds her sexual bravado has dissipated, leaving her feeling vulnerable once again and wanting to go to bed.

The next day, Mikayla gets annoyed with Jace for being “cold” towards her and having fun with the rest of the group without her. When Jace tries to talk to her at the festival, she brushes him off, saying she “doesn’t want to talk” to him. Jace tells the camera he wants to be “as supportive” as he needs to be, but that they’ve been “at this for years with her not working on things.” “I’m honestly at the breaking point,” he says. The two fight off-camera in their room later that night about not being on the same page.

“I feel a lot of pressure and guilt around my marriage and our sex life right now. I feel like I have a lot of broken pieces that I haven’t fixed yet,” Mikayla says in the show. “Even though I know that it comes from the abuse and the way I was raised, I think growing up in the church, I’m always trying to chase this idea of being a perfect wife or being perfect for him. It just never feels attainable.”

Jace and Mikayla finally attend couples therapy together in episode 8, “The Book of Awakening.” During the session, Mikayla explains how she oftentimes views sex as an obligation, whereas Jace says he views it as a way to be connected to his wife. Later in the episode, Mikayla tells Jace about the abuse that happened when she was 6 (he had previously only known about the abuse that occurred when she was 15), as well as the identity of her abuser, which is not said on camera. “Although it’s really scary to get all of this off my chest, I feel a lot of relief at the same time,” Mikayla says to the camera. “By no means do I think that it’s going to be a one-and-done fixed deal, but I feel like Jace came into my life at a time that I really needed it.”

During the season 3 reunion, host Stassi Schroeder asked if there had been any improvement in Mikayla's struggles with physical intimacy since season 3 was filmed. While Mikayla answered that it's still a struggle, Jace chimed in to say that she had welcomed their fourth child in the few months between the season and the reunion.

"Since that time, I feel like I haven't had my body or felt in my body for a long time, because of my health issues," Mikayla explained, adding that her struggles with chronic illness had flared up following the birth. (She has spoken out about her lifelong struggles with eczema throughout SLOMW's run.)

"After having the baby, it's like my health stuff all came back 180, overnight," she said. "And then for [Jace], it's still hard because we're still having the intimacy issues. And I'm like, 'I don't know how to overcome it.' I think that's what's hard."

Mikayla and her husband Jace decide to separate at the end of season 4.

Mikayla and Jace's intimacy issues continue to affect their marriage throughout season 4, which began filming just a few weeks after Mikayla gave birth to their fourth child. Early in the season, Mikayla explains that she experienced an intense flare-up of her chronic illness after giving birth. With so much else to deal with, Mikayla's scenes in the first half of season 4 mostly focus on her repairing her friendship with Whitney Leavitt, after Whitney expressed her support as a spouse of someone who also experienced childhood sexual abuse.

"Whitney and Jace are in a very similar place, having to deal with what happened to me and Conner and the implications that it's brought into our marriage, so I feel like we have that shared experience," Mikayla said in an episode 6 confessional. During a stem-cell treatment, Mikayla told Whitney that her flare-up made it "hard to focus on anything else and be motivated to fix anything else while I'm in this state."

While speaking with Mayci Neeley in episode 9, Mikayla opens up about a couple's therapy session she had with Jace, which seemed not to help the situation. "When I get really angry, I'm like, 'Okay, fine, go have sex with someone else. Like, leave me alone almost,'" she shares. "I feel like I'm working on so many different things outside of just sex, and I know that obviously he can't just be like, 'Okay, well we can go without that.' We both get to a point where we get to a point where we feel really helpless about it. [When he says], 'I don't feel like you have the motivation to do it,' I'm like, 'I don't think I have the motivation to do it right now, because I know it's really hard to work through."

She adds in a confessional, "I'm obviously very attracted to Jace, and I want to be married to him. It makes me sad that I'm not able to meet his needs, and I know there's only so long that he can be patient with me for," she said in a confessional, before telling Mayci, "Kissing is harder for me than sex, because I think kissing is more intimate for me and I always have triggers with kissing."

Mikayla and Mayci's conversation is intercut with Jace opening up to Whitney's husband, Conner. When Conner asks what he wants, Jace says, "More than anything and more than the actual sex, I just want to feel like I can connect with my wife again. And I want to feel loved by my wife."

Later in the episode, viewers see Mikayla pack up and leave their home, as the pair decides to separate. When Jace asks Mikayla what she hopes to get out of the separation, she says that she wants to work on her health without the pressure of Jace reminding her about the intimacy issues.

"I think it's hard anytime you bring up the stuff with the sex and the intimacy. I feel it's hard on me because again, my nervous system is already in fight or flight, and I'm already maxed out. My bucket is full," Mikayla explains.

Jace responds, "I know, but for me, it seems like the solution to that would be to commit to trauma therapy until you're at a point where it doesn't make your nervous system freak out." He later adds, "For something like this to feel effective for me, maybe we don't get back together until you feel like you can commit to our relationship?"

Mikayla initially seems upset, pointing out that the "pressure of when it's going to be fixed" stresses her out. But both she and Jace add that it will be better for the kids to see their parents have a healthy connection. (Although Jace highlights an "intimate connection," while Mikayla emphasizes an "emotional connection.")

When the season ends, Mikayla stays at Mayci's house, and only Mayci and her husband, Jacob, know about the separation. Mikayla also intends to communicate with him and visit the kids every single day. She concludes via confessional, "As sad as it is, I do take comfort in knowing that I do have such a great support system in #MomTok. I don't want to have to tear our family apart, but I also know that I have to be selfish for a period of time so that I can heal."

In a post-season-4 interview with Cosmopolitan, Mikayla reveals that she and Jace are still separated and "definitely a work in progress," despite the pair sharing recent family vacations and holiday celebrations on Instagram.

"We’re still working on it. I think it’s something we’re going to be working on for a while," she explained. "The intention of the separation was not to be separated forever. I mean, we have kids. I wasn’t going to go a day without my kids."

For the past four years, Hulu's cozy murder-comedy Only Murders in the Building has been a staple of fall TV. In season 5, the murder-mystery series about true-crime podcasters Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) returned to its roots with a season centered on their pre-war building, The Arconia, and its faithful late doorman Lester (and the secret mob-run casino under the basement).

Now that Lester's killer has been found, it's time for OMITB to expand beyond the building once again. With the series officially renewed for another installment, it's time to go over everything we know about Only Murders in the Building season 6 so far.

When will 'Only Murders in the Building' season 6 come out?

On October 28, 2025, Hulu renewed its Emmy-winning comedy on the same day as its season 5 finale. Though the streamer hasn't unveiled a release date, OMITB has a regular spot on fans' TV calendars. Thus far, every season has aired between August and October (besides season 2, which debuted in June 2022). We'd bet big that season 6 will arrive around the same time next year, in fall 2026.

Considering filming began in May, it definitely seems feasible for the show to premiere in the fall! In the meantime, Hulu has blessed fans with ample behind-the-scenes photos of the stars enjoying life across the pond to hold us over.

Who will be in the cast of 'Only Murders in the Building' season 6?

In addition to the essential main trio of Steven Martin (Charles Haden-Savage), Martin Short (Oliver Putnam), and Selena Gomez (Mabel Mora), we know that Michael Cyril Creighton (Howard Morris) and Da'Vine Joy Randolph (Detective Williams) will return. (When the series began filming in London in May 2026, its official Instagram account shared a selfie taken by showrunner John Hoffman, our funny throuple, and Randolph.)

It's yet to be formally announced, but there's also a high chance we'll see more of Jackie Hoffman (Uma Heller) and Meryl Streep (Loretta Durkin-Putnam). OMITB could also find another way to bring back Paul Rudd, who voiced the robot LESTR in season 5 and seems to love returning to the murder-mystery in some form.

As it turns out, one of the series' recurring guest stars is set to return as season 6's murder victim. Tina Fey will reprise her role as Cinda Canning, rival podcaster to our favorite trio since season 1 (not to mention initial inspiration for their pod). In the final scenes of season 5, set three months after Lester's case was solved, Charles, Mabel, and Oliver sit down to listen to Cinda's new podcast about a curly-haired woman suspected of killing a royal descendant, and whom Cinda "sent to America" for safety. Soon after, they come upon the same woman as she lies dying at the Arconia's front gate...and she turns out to be Cinda.

Who are the guest stars in 'Only Murders in the Building' season 6?

In June 2026, Hulu began unveiling its huge slate of guest stars joining season 6. As per usual, their roles are being kept under wraps, but it seems the cozy mystery is rounding out its slate of suspects with as many famous Brits and Irish stars as it can wrangle across the pond. Here's who is joining the ensemble: Doctor Who himself, David Tennant, as well as another one of his co-stars, Jodie Whittaker (also of Broadchurch fame), comedian/showrunner Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters, Catastrophe), Bridgerton breakouts Nicola Coughlan and Simone Ashley, comedian/writer Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd), British TV staple Adrian Lukis (Judge John Deed, Pride and Prejudice), Martin Freeman (The Office, Sherlock), thee Ginger Spice, Geri Halliwell-Horner, comedian/writer Jamie Demetriou (Stath Lets Flat), Downton Abbey alum Lesley Nicol, stage actress/We Are Lady Parts star Anjana Vasan, both Jane Horrocks and Jennifer Saunders from Absolutely Fabulous, Skins star Sean Teale, Jim Broadbent (the Paddington and Harry Potter movies), Amar Chadha-Patel (Willow), Rhea Norwood (Heartstopper), Matthew Beard (Vienna Blood), and acclaimed thespians Kathryn Hunter and Derek Jacobi.

Whoa! It's safe to say that the British (and the Irish!) are coming—and this season might just be bigger than ever!

Where will 'Only Murders in the Building' season 6 take place?

Only Murders in the Building is headed to jolly old London! Following the Cinda finale cliffhanger, Hulu confirmed that season 6 will film in London as Charles, Oliver, and Mabel unfurl the truth behind Cinda's murder.

While the show briefly pops over to L.A. in season 4, there's a chance that season 6 will be set in London for the majority of its run. Since Cinda's death stretches the definition of "in the building"—Cinda even grasps at the gate in her final moments to make sure that she counts—the trio may only be able to investigate from across the pond. Fans will have to wait and see how much of season 6 will actually take place in the building.

What will 'Only Murders in the Building' season 6 be about?

I have so many questions about season 6 after that cliffhanger. Who is the "royal descendant" who was murdered? How much of Cinda's new podcast, "The Girl With the Curls," did she record before fleeing to the Arconia to, presumably, get help from our trio? Is Cinda herself the girl with the curls, and she made a podcast referring to herself in the third person? Or was she killed while posing as a decoy, and the titular girl is still out there?

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, co-creator John Hoffman shared that, after season 5's Arconia-centered plot, season 6 will center on Cinda as another "origin point" for the trio. It'll also explore the classic detective literature that gave birth to murder-mystery storytelling.

The showrunner told the outlet, "[Season 6] all came together as wanting to look at origins for both the storytelling nature of what is at the source [of the detective genre] through the Agatha Christies and Arthur Conan Doyles and on and on, and on to podcasting today and that line between them, and what that might hold as fertile ground for next season beyond the incredible character that Tina Fey created for us that got this ball rolling."

"With Cinda, we have someone in the lexicon of the show who is the beginning of the legacy for our trio," he explained. "How does that extend further for the legacy of this endeavor of storytelling within this realm of murder mystery? All of that felt steeped in great history for the show and this kind of storytelling. I’m insanely stoked about an extra charge behind the ideas and the writing while also keeping very, very central who this trio is and where they come from, but being able to supercharge the season next year with some really new elements that feel well-timed."

In 2021, following the double murders of Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh and her son, Paul, journalist Mandy Matney launched a true-crime podcast delving into the case and their well-connected South Carolina family. Her “Murdaugh Murders Podcast” chronicled not just the investigation into the double homicide—including the trial and conviction of prominent lawyer Alex Murdaugh for killing his wife and son—but also the family’s legacy, criminal investigations into fraud and obstruction of justice, and connections to several mysterious deaths.

Now, the podcast is the inspiration for a Hulu limited series, in which Matney is both an executive producer and a character in the fictionalized story. Murdaugh: Death in the Family explores the case and what Mandy’s reporting uncovered, starring Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty) as Alex Murdaugh, Patricia Arquette (Severance) as Maggie, and Brittany Snow (The Hunting Wives) as Matney.

Read on to learn more about Matney and her reporting, including why she was already investigating the Murdaughs years before the murders, how involved she was with the true-crime TV adaptation, and what she’s doing now.

Who is Mandy Matney?

Mandy Matney is an investigative journalist originally from Kansas City, Kansas, who’s now based in South Carolina. A graduate of the journalism school at the University of Kansas, she held reporting jobs in Missouri and Illinois before heading to South Carolina to work for The Island Packet in Hilton Head Island, which is where she first began looking into the Murdaughs following a deadly 2019 boat crash that involved an allegedly intoxicated Paul.

After Maggie and Paul were killed in 2021, she launched the “Murdaugh Murders Podcast” to further delve into the family. Initially recording episodes from her kitchen table, she wasn’t recapping a finished case—she was covering the investigation in real time. The podcast quickly became a hit and eventually spanned 94 episodes.

“All of a sudden, it seemed like the whole world was watching the Murdaugh case, and we were the go-to podcast for it,” Matney told Kansas Alumni magazine in 2024. “Because I had been working on the case for so long and had a lot of sources on the ground who knew what was going on, the episode we put out after the shooting incident was questioning it—was saying, ‘This is why this is suspicious.’ It was way different from what the rest of the world was reporting. I was leading my audience in the correct direction, and because of that, I think people realized how good our sources were and that we were a voice they could trust in this, and they got really immersed in the story.”

How did Mandy Matney begin investigating the Murdaughs?

In 2019, authorities reported that 19-year-old Mallory Packet was killed after Paul Murdaugh drunkenly crashed his family’s boat in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Matney, then at The Island Packet, began investigating the case with her colleague Liz Farrell, marking her first exposure to the Murdaugh family.

“The boat crash happened when I was the breaking news editor there, and it changed everything,” she told Common Good in a recent interview.

Their story “absolutely consumed my life” from that time onward, even more so after the murders in 2021. “The Murdaughs were such a hard egg to crack, because at first—and a lot of people forget this—very, very few people would talk at all about the Murdaughs in 2019, and getting somebody to talk on the record was even harder,” she said in that same interview. “People were just very scared.”

What else did Mandy Matney uncover about the Murdaughs?

As detailed on the podcast and portrayed in Murdaugh: Death in the Family, Matney doesn’t stop digging. That unflinching work leads her to questions surrounding the investigation into the boat crash; years of Alex’s financial misdeeds; the still-unsolved death of another young man, Stephen Smith; and a fall suffered by the family’s longtime housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, at the Murdaugh home.

One creative liberty the show took was having Paul’s boat crash occur before Gloria’s fall. In reality, the fall happened a year earlier, in 2018. “It was more helpful, emotionally, to see what does she mean to this family, what roles does she play, specifically with Paul,” series showrunner Michael D. Fuller explained to TV Insider of the change.

Where is Mandy Matney now?

Matney still lives in Hilton Head and continues to pursue investigative journalism through her production company, Lunashark Media. She also published a 2023 book, Blood on Their Hands: Murder, Corruption, and the Fall of the Murdaugh Dynasty, which detailed her work reporting on the case.

Matney concluded the “Murdaugh Murders” podcast in 2023 and relaunched it as “True Sunlight,” where she continues to cover Murdaugh updates while also exploring other cases. She also co-hosts the “Cup of Justice” podcast, which was spun off from bonus episodes of “Murdaugh Murders” and dives deeper into legal analysis. She’s also teaming up with Brittany Snow for a companion podcast for Death in the Family that will go behind the scenes with the cast and crew.

The double murders of Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh and her son, Paul Murdaugh, dominated headlines in 2021—because they were part of a wealthy and well-connected South Carolina family, and because the man convicted of killing them was Alex Murdaugh, Maggie’s husband and Paul’s father.

Now, the story is the subject of a new Hulu true crime series, Murdaugh: Death in the Family, which premieres on October 15. The series, which is inspired by the popular “Murdaugh Murders Podcast” from journalist Mandy Matney, delves into the events leading up to Maggie and Paul’s deaths, including hidden secrets and the family’s connections to several other investigations and mysterious deaths.

Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty) and Patricia Arquette (Severance) star as Alex and Maggie, but they’re just two members of the ensemble telling this story. Read on to get to know the key players in Death in the Family and the actors portraying them.

Jason Clark as Alex Murdaugh

Alex is an attorney who comes from one of South Carolina’s most powerful legal dynasties. On the surface, he lives a life of luxury with his wife, Maggie, and their sons, Buster and Paul. But he’s hiding personal and financial issues that can’t be covered up or ignored after Paul is involved in a deadly boat crash.

Jason Clarke, 56, has appeared in the crime drama Brotherhood, played L.A. Lakers executive Jerry West in the sports drama Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, and also starred in films like Zero Dark Thirty, White House Down, and Oppenheimer. You can also catch him in the upcoming Kathryn Bigelow-directed thriller A House of Dynamite.

Patricia Arquette as Maggie Murdaugh

Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh is Alex’s wife, who enjoys a life of privilege thanks to her husband and his family’s business—all of which begins to unravel after revelations about Alex and their sons come to light. (In the trailer, she demands of her husband, “What else is there that I don’t know about?”) The series opens with Alex calling 911 to report that Maggie and Paul had been shot, and then flashes back to the events leading up to their deaths.

Patricia Arquette, 57, has won an Academy Award (for Boyhood) and two Emmys (for the drama Medium and The Act, Hulu’s true-crime adaptation about Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother, Dee Dee). She currently plays the chilling Ms. Cobel on Severance and can be seen in iconic films and shows such as True Romance, Lost Highway, Ed Wood, Holes, and Escape at Dannemora.

Johnny Berchtold as Paul Murdaugh

The youngest member of the Murdaugh family, Paul is a hard-partyer whose recklessness leads to a drunken boating accident that tragically kills 19-year-old Mallory Beach (Madeline Popovich), bringing media attention and public scrutiny to the Murdaughs. Like his mother, Paul was shot and killed on the family’s South Carolina estate.

Johnny Berchtold, 31, has appeared in the series Reacher, Gaslit, and Tiny Beautiful Things. He also starred alongside Rob Lowe in the drama Dog Gone and has a role in the thriller The Passenger.

Will Harrison as Buster Murdaugh

The eldest son of Alex and Maggie Murdaugh, Buster is the seemingly golden child looking to continue the family legacy by attending law school. But even he becomes connected to revelations about the family that come to light.

Will Harrison, 29, played guitarist Graham Dunne in the TV adaptation of Daisy Jones and the Six, and also appeared in the historical drama Manhunt and the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. He’s currently starring in the play Punch, which is his Broadway debut.

Brittany Snow as Mandy Matney

Mandy is a reporter for the South Carolina newspaper The Island Packet, who begins looking into the Murdaughs in the aftermath of Paul’s boat crash.

Brittany Snow, 39, was most recently seen in the juicy Texas drama The Hunting Wives, which is due to return for a second season. She’s also known for her role in the Pitch Perfect movies, as well as Hairspray, Someone Great, X, Almost Family, and The Night Agent.

J. Smith-Cameron as Marian Proctor

Marian is Maggie Murdaugh’s sister, which also makes her Alex’s sister-in-law and aunt to Buster and Paul. She’s a confidante for her sister and looks out for Maggie as the events of the series unfold.

J. Smith-Cameron, 68, is a veteran actor best known for her roles in Rectify and, more recently, Succession, where she played Waystar RoyCo general counsel Gerri Kellman (and earned two Emmy nominations for her work). She’s known for her theater work and has also appeared in films and shows, including Harriet the Spy (as Harriet’s mother), The First Wives Club, Margaret (written and directed by her husband, Kenneth Lonergan), True Blood, Search Party, and Fleishman Is in Trouble.

Kathleen Wilhoite as Gloria Satterfield

Gloria is the longtime housekeeper for the Murdaughs, who helped raise Buster and Paul from infancy. She’s a kind woman who’s devoted to their family and has her own two adult sons.

Kathleen Wilhoite, 61, had a recurring role on Gilmore Girls as Liz Danes, the sister of Luke (Scott Evans) and mother of Jess Mariano (Milo Ventimiglia), and was the voice of Pepper Ann Pearson on the animated series Pepper Ann. She’s also appeared on ER, L.A. Law, Grey’s Anatomy, and in films like Murphy’s Law.

Gerald McRaney as Randolph Murdaugh

Randolph is the domineering father of Alex and Randy Murdaugh, a prominent South Carolina attorney well-known in their community, and runs the law firm where his sons work.

Gerard McRaney, 78, has starred in TV shows like Simon & Simon, Major Dad, House of Cards, and NCIS: Los Angeles. He’s also appeared on Castle, Longmire, and Deadwood, and won an Emmy for his guest role on This Is Us as the kindly Dr. Nathan Kowalsky.

Noah Emmerich as Randy Murdaugh

Randy is Alex’s brother, who works alongside him at the family’s law firm. More even-keeled than his wild-card brother, the two butt heads as they vie for their father’s affection and approval—and to be the one who takes over the firm after Randolph retires.

Noah Emmerich, 60, played FBI agent Stan Beeman on the acclaimed spy drama The Americans. He can also be seen in The Truman Show, Frequency, Miracle, Super 8, and in recurring roles on White Collar, Dark Winds, and The Walking Dead.

Mark Pellegrino as Curtis Edward Smith

Curtis Edward "Eddie" Smith was a longtime friend of Alex Murdaugh's and a key player allegedly involved in his criminal web. He was arrested in 2021 on multiple charges, including presenting a firearm, conspiracy, and assisted suicide, because Murdaugh allegedly hired him to kill him so his son Buster could receive his life insurance policy. He was also later indicted in 2022 on money laundering, forgery, and various drug trafficking charges.

Mark Pellegrino, 60, plays Eddie Smith. He's best known as a TV actor and has held major roles on several cult-loved series, including 2000s hits like playing Lucifer on Supernatural, Paul on Dexter, and Jacob on Lost, among other roles.

Madeline Popovich as Mallory Beach

Mallory Beach was the 19-year-old killed in a boating accident when an allegedly intoxicated Paul Murdaugh was at the wheel. Her family received a $15 million settlement from Parker's, the convenience store that sold alcohol to Paul while he was underage.

Madeline Popovich, 23, is a rising actress with several shorts and TV movies, including Hallmark's One Summer, on her résumé.

Jessi Case as Morgan Doughty

Morgan Doughty was a friend of the late Mallory Beach and the ex-girlfriend of Paul Murdaugh. She was on the boat the night Mallory died. In the years since the case against the Murdaughs unfolded, she has alleged that Paul was abusive during their relationship.

Jessi Case, 25, is an Atlanta-born rising actress who has held small TV roles in shows like 9-1-1: Lone Star and movies like Mother's Day.

Calling all fans of political dramas like The Diplomat and The Night Agent: Hulu's new K-drama Tempest is your next must-watch show. The genre-bending series follows Seo Mun-ju (Gianna Jun), South Korea's former ambassador to the U.S., who resigned to support her husband's presidential run. When he's assassinated, she teams up with a mysterious mercenary (Gang Dong-won) to investigate a conspiracy involving the reunification of North and South Korea and the nuclear arms race between North Korea and the United States. (And, of course, since this is a K-drama, there's some steamy tension between the diplomat and her new bodyguard.)

For this blockbuster thriller K-drama, Hulu recruited an all-star team, including writer Chung Seo-kyung (Decision to Leave), and co-directors Kim Hee-won (Queen of Tears) and Heo Myeonghaeng (The Roundup: Punishment). As for the actors, K-drama fans will tune in to find award-winning actors from the past three decades of Korean entertainment, as well as familiar faces from American TV. Below, read on for everything you need to know about the cast of Tempest.

Gianna Jun (a.k.a. Jun Ji-hyun) as Seo Mun-ju

Seo Mun-ju is a South Korean diplomat who was formerly the country's ambassador to the UN; now, she stands by her husband's side as he runs for president. When her recurring assassination nightmare becomes prophetic, she's thrown into the political spotlight and decides to run for president herself.

Gianna Jun, Korean name Jun Ji-hyun, began her career as a model before making her acting debut in 1999. Since then, the 44-year-old has starred in iconic projects including the Korean romance movies Il Mare and My Sassy Girl, the romantic K-dramas My Love from the Star and Legend of the Blue Sea, and Netflix's historical K-drama Kingdom. She has been married to her husband, private equity manager Choi Jun-hyuk, since 2012.

Gang Dong-won as Paik San-ho, a.k.a. Mark

Paik San-ho, also known as Mark, is a Korean-American mercenary who offers to protect Mun-ju after her husband's death. It turns out that the ex-soldier was sent to become Mun-ju's bodyguard, hired by a mystery backer who knew that she was in danger.

Gang Dong-won, 44, is also a model-turned-actor who rose to fame with his breakout role in the 2004 film Temptation of Wolves. Since then, he has starred in blockbuster Korean movies including Duelist, Secret Reunion, The Priests, A Violent Prosecutor, Master, Peninsula, and Broker. Tempest is his first K-drama since 2004.

Park Hae-joon as Jang Jun-ik

Assemblyman Jang Jun-ik is a chaebol politician and advocate against the reunification of North and South Korea. At the start of Tempest, he's the presidential candidate for the New Republican Party, the opposition to the current president...and his wife Mun-ju. After his death, Mun-ju is left to unfurl her estranged husband's secrets.

Earlier this year, Park Hae-joon played the older version of Gwan-sik in the acclaimed Netflix K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines. After starting as a theater actor, the 48-year-old rose to fame with his supporting roles in the 2014 K-dramas Doctor Stranger and Misaeng: Incomplete Life. He has also starred in the shows My Beautiful Bride, My Mister, Arthdal Chronicles, The World of the Married, and The 8 Show.

Lee Mi-sook as Lim Ok-seon

Jun-ik's mother, Im Ok-seon, is the chairwoman of shipping company Aseom, and a political power broker aiming to make her son president. Ok-seon has never been a fan of Mun-ju; she disparages her daughter-in-law for coming from a poor family and choosing to pursue a career rather than a family. However, when Jun-ik dies and bequeaths his entire estate to Mun-ju, Ok-seon switches her political ambitions to her daughter-in-law.

Lee Mi-sook, 65, was one of the most famous actresses in 1980s Korean cinema, with acclaimed films including Mulberry and The Winter That Year Was Warm. In 1987, Lee retired from film after getting married, though she would still appear on TV. She rejoined the industry with 1998's An Affair, and went on to star in other popular projects, including Untold Scandal, Cinderella's Sister, Love Rain, Jealousy Incarnate, The Law Cafe, Perfect Marriage Revenge, and Queen of Tears.

Oh Jung-se as Jang Jun-sang

After Jun-ik's death, his brother Jun-sang makes the questionable (and suspicious) announcement that he plans to run for president in his place. When Mun-ju refuses to fund his run, the prosecutor becomes her enemy.

Jun-sang is played by Oh Jung-se, 48, a prolific actor who has starred in dozens of Korean movies and K-dramas. He's best known for shows including Hot Stove League, It's Okay to Not Be Okay, The Good Detective, Jirisan, Revenant, Sweet Home, Mr. Plankton, When the Stars Gossip, and Good Boy.

Kim Hae-sook as President Chae Gyeong-sin

Chae Gyeong-sin, the current president of South Korea and a humble but determined politician, is played by Kim Hae-sook. The 69-year-old actress has appeared in nearly 100 series and over three dozen movies, according to MyDramaList. She should be very familiar to fans of Netflix K-dramas; she has previously starred in Hospital Playlist, Start-Up, Tomorrow, Under the Queen's Umbrella, Strong Girl Namsoon, My Demon, Gyeongseong Creature, and Mr. Plankton.

John Cho as Anderson Miller

Anderson Miller is the U.S. deputy secretary of state, who gets wrapped up in the international conspiracy behind Jun-ik's murder.

Tempest is John Cho's first-ever appearance in a K-drama. The 53-year-old Korean-American actor has made history as the first Asian-American actor to lead a mainstream, contemporary Hollywood thriller (2018's Searching) and to play a romantic lead in a network rom-com series (ABC's Selfie). His best-known works include the American Pie films, the Harold and Kumar films, the 2010s Star Trek reboot trilogy, and the 2017 drama Columbus.

Lee Sang-hee as Yeo Mi-ji

Yeo Mi-ji, Mun-ju's chief of staff, follows her from the U.S. to South Korea to remain by her side. The former ambassador's right-hand woman is also her closest confidant and steadfast friend.

Lee Sang-hee, 41, began her career in nursing before she discovered her love of acting in her late 20s. She rose to fame in 2014 with the film End of Winter and won a Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actress two years later, for her performance in Our Love Story. She won a second Baeksang last year for the Netflix Korean movie My Name is Loh Kiwan. On the K-drama front, she has appeared in Mr. Sunshine, Life, One Spring Night, All of Us Are Dead, Daily Dose of Sunshine, and Mercy for None.

Joo Jong-hyuk as Park Chang-hee

Park Chang-hee, Jun-ik's head of security, who joins Mun-ju's campaign, is played by Joo Jong-hyuk. Since his acting debut in 2018, the 34-year-old has appeared in K-dramas including D.P., The Veil, Yumi's Cells, Frankly Speaking, Unmasked, and his best-known work Extraordinary Attorney Woo. In addition to Tempest, he's also currently starring in the Prime Video K-drama Confidence Queen.

Yoo Jae-myung as Yoo Un-hak

Yoo Un-hak is the director of Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS). He's played by Yoo Jae-myung, 52, a prolific film and TV actor known for starring in popular K-dramas like Reply 1988, Hwarang, Strong Woman Do Bong-soon, Stranger, Life, Confession, Itaewon Class, Song of the Bandits, and Uncle Samsik. Last year, he won a Baeksang for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film Land of Happiness.

Won Ji-an as Kang Han-na

Kang Han-na, a mysterious woman who knew Jun-ik before his death, is played by Won Ji-an, 25. The rising actress is best known for playing Se-mi (Player 380) in seasons 2 and 3 of Squid Game. Since her acting debut in the Netflix drama D.P., she has also starred in Hope or Dope, If You Wish Upon Me, Heartbeat, and A Year-End Medley. She has also signed on to star in the upcoming Disney+/Hulu K-dramas Made in Korea and Pleasant Outcast.

Christopher Gorham as Ethan

Ethan, a mercenary, is played by Christopher Gorham, 51. The longtime television actor's best-known roles include Harrison John on The WB's Popular, Henry Grubstick in ABC's Ugly Betty, Auggie Anderson on USA Network's Covert Affairs, and Trevor Elliot on Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer.

Spencer Garrett as U.S. President Hauser 

U.S. President Hauser is portrayed by Spencer Garrett, a 61-year-old actor whose mother Kathleen Nolan was a former president of the Screen Actors Guild. In addition to appearing in movies like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Bombshell, he is best known for shows like Insecure, The Legend of Korra, Survivor's Remorse, The Magicians, For All Mankind, Bosch, and Winning Time. Most recently, he played Wally Glick on Netflix's miniseries The Residence.

Alicia Hannah-Kim

Also appearing in the series is Korean-Australian actress Alicia Hannah-Kim (above, right), who served as a producer and helped recruit Western actors for the K-drama. The 38-year-old is best known for playing sensei Kim Da-eun in Cobra Kai, and she has appeared in General Hospital, Alone Together, Hawaii Five-0, and Minx. (Fun fact: Kim's husband Sebastian Roché and her Cobra Kai co-star Jacob Bertrand also appear in Tempest.)

Five years in, Hulu's murder-mystery comedy Only Murders in the Building has a trusted formula. Each season, unlikely besties and true-crime podcasters Charles (Steve Martin), Oliver (Martin Short), and Mabel (Selena Gomez) investigate a murder that occurred in their historic N.Y.C. building, The Arconia. The inquiry leads them to an all-new cast of mysterious characters, played by a roster of Hollywood A-listers.

In season 5, which premieres on September 9, the unlucky victim is Lester, the beloved Arconia doorman who's mysteriously ensnared with the Italian mob and a trio of billionaires. While the cozy-mystery show's fans are familiar with its beloved recurring stars—the big three, plus their neighbors Howard (Michael Cyril Creighton) and Uma (Jackie Hoffham), Detective Williams (Da'Vine Joy Randolph), and Charles's sweetheart Loretta (Meryl Streep)—it's time to get to know a new set of eccentric suspects. Below, read on for everything we know about the new cast of Only Murders in the Building season 5 so far. (If you need a refresher on season 4's finale, we've got you covered.)

Tony Coluca as Lester Coluca

Before his untimely death, Lester worked as a doorman at the Arconian for 32 years. Though he hasn't been a major player for the past four seasons, we did learn a bit of his background at season 2's Killer Reveal Party. When he was young, Lester graduated from Julliard and worked off-Broadway with his "rival" Tracy Letts, before alcohol issues and housing insecurity led to him taking the first job he could get.

Teddy Coluca made his film debut in the '90s and has appeared in over 70 projects, according to his IMDb. Some of the TV series where he held recurring roles include 30 Rock, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and The Blacklist.

Dianne Wiest as Lorraine Coluca

Lester's widow, Lorraine Coluca, is a former professional opera singer who met the young doorman outside of the Arconia. (As he said in the season 4 finale, the pair were married in the courtyard at night, under the stars.)

Dianne Wiest, 77, is a lauded Oscar winner, Emmy winner, and Tony nominee, who began her career as a stage actress and broke into Hollywood with her roles in '80s and '90s movies like Footloose, Parenthood, Edward Scissorhands, Hannah and Her Sisters, Bullets over Broadway, The Birdcage, and Practical Magic. Recently, she co-starred in the films I Care A Lot and Apartment 7A, as well as the Paramount+ drama Mayor of Kingstown.

Téa Leoni as Sofia Caccimelio

In the season 4 finale, Charles and Mabel were approached by a woman named Sofia Caccimelio, who asked them to help find her missing husband Nicky. Though they initially said no, the podcasters reach back out to her when they learn of his connection to Lester. (Also, the trailer hints that a romantic connection will spark between her and Charles.)

Téa Leoni, 59, is a TV veteran who rose to fame starring in '90s network sitcoms and 2000s movies, including Spanglish and Fun with Dick and Jane. She's best known for starring in the political thriller series Madam Secretary from 2014 to 2019. She also recently appeared in the 2025 horror-comedy Death of a Unicorn.

Bobby Cannavale as Nicky Caccimelio

Sofia's missing husband is Nicky "The Neck" Caccimelio, the "Dry‑Cleaning King of Brooklyn" who has ties to the Caputo crime family and was one of the last people who saw Lester alive. As Sofia says in the season 4 finale, "What happened to Nicky has everything to do with this building."

Bobby Cannavale, 55, is a veteran TV actor and a two-time Emmy winner best known for his performances in shows such as Will and Grace, Nurse Jackie, Boardwalk Empire, Mr. Robot, Nine Perfect Strangers, and The Watcher. He's also a Tony nominee and has appeared in acclaimed movies including I, Tonya, The Irishman, and Blonde. (Fun fact: He and his partner, Bridesmaids actress Rose Byrne, share two kids.)

Renée Zellweger as Camila White

In episode 3, the podcasting threesome meets what they dub the "new mob of New York," a trio of influential billionaires. The lone woman of the group, Camila White, is an entrepreneurial designer and hotel magnate who owns half of N.Y.C.'s hotels. According to Charles, she is also "the human incarnation of a Nancy Meyers kitchen," and she may have gone to space with Gayle and Oprah.

Renée Zellweger, 56, is an acclaimed actress whose career has spanned over three decades. She rose to Hollywood's A-list in the Y2K era, when she starred in iconic '90s and 2000s movies like Jerry Maguire, Bridget Jones' Diary, Chicago, Down With Love, and Cold Mountain, for which she received her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. In 2020, she won the Oscar for Best Actress for starring in the biopic Judy, becoming the seventh actress to win an Academy Award in both acting categories.

Christoph Waltz as Bash Steed

Sebastian "Bash" Steed, a tech billionaire and longevity enthusiast who's the richest of the rich, is played by Christoph Waltz, 68. The Austrian-German actor rose to international fame with his Oscar-winning roles in the Quentin Tarantino films Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained. He also played supervillain Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the James Bond films Spectre and No Time to Die. Next up, he'll appear in Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein and Luc Besson's Dracula: A Love Tale.

Logan Lerman as Jay Pflug

Jay Pflug, a pharma nepo baby who rounds out the trio of billionaires, is played by Logan Lerman. The 33-year-old actor (and crowd-voted "White Boy of the Century") started as a child actor and rose to fame in the early 2010s, with lead roles in movies including the Percy Jackson series, Stuck in Love, and The Perks of Being a Wallpaper. Most recently, he starred in the Hulu adaptation of We Were the Lucky Ones, as well as the 2025 anti-rom-com Oh Hi!. (Fun fact: He and Zelleweger previously played mother and son in the 2009 period piece My One and Only.)

Keegan Michael-Key as Mayor Tillman

Mayor Tillman is the current mayor of N.Y.C., a noted fan of the "Only Murders in the Building" podcast, and becomes involved in this season's investigation. (He also gives low-key Eric Adams vibes.) The politician is played by Keegan-Michael Key, 54, who got his start on Mad TV before co-creating the sketch series Key & Peele alongside Jordan Peele. Key has since stayed booked and busy with dozens of film, TV, and voice-acting roles, most notably Parks and Recreation, Friends From College, Schmigadoon!, Reboot, Wonka, and the Super Mario Bros. Movie.

Jermaine Fowler as Randall

Multi-hyphenate Jermaine Fowler, 37, also joins the show as Randall, a new doorman at the Arconia whose training is cut short when Lester dies. Fowler began as a stand-up and sketch comedian before his breakout roles on the short-lived CBS sitcom Superior Donuts and the 2018 surreal sci-fi comedy Sorry to Bother You. He has also appeared in the films Judas and the Black Messiah, Coming 2 America, Am I Ok?, The Blackening, and Ricky Stanicky, as well as the FX series A Murder at the End of the World.

Paul Rudd as L.E.S.T.R.

Randall isn't the only one manning the door at The Arconia in Lester's absence. As it turns out, the building also decides to replace him—and the duties of several other longtime employees—with a robot. Known as L.E.S.T.R., or Logic-Engineered Secure Tenant Robot, he's a joy to some residents (Howard) and an annoyance to others (the pod trio).

If Randall's voice sounds familiar to you, or you guessed the OMITB team couldn't pass up casting another A-lister in the sly cameo role, you'd be correct. L.E.S.T.R. is voiced by none other than Paul Rudd, a beloved alum of the show who previously guest-starred as Broadway actor Ben Gilroy in season 3 and stuntman Glen Stubbins in season 4. As showrunner John Hoffman told TV Line, he was eager to find a way to bring the comedy icon back. "The fact that he likes the show as much as he does, and keeps at it with us, moves me to the point of making terrible choices. Dramatically, I can’t take anything off the table," he told the outlet.

Though you won't see Rudd in season 5, fans may recognize him and his voice from a wide range of hit comedy blockbusters. Rudd got his start in the '90s, becoming a heartthrob as the love interest in Clueless, and began a long-running collaborative relationship with comedy filmmaker/producer Judd Apatow in 2004's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. They worked together again on movies, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and This Is 40. He's also appeared in hits like I Love You, Man, became a staple of the MCU as Ant-Man, co-created the cult-loved TV series Party Down, and garnered many accolades, including two Emmy nominations and PEOPLE's "Sexiest Man Alive."

Beanie Feldstein as Althea

Season 5 has one new resident moving into the Arconia's penthouse: Althea, Mabel's childhood friend from 2010 (the era of Tim Kono and Zoey). Althea is now a famous pop star known as "Thé," which is pronounced as "Tea" and apparently great for search engine optimization. Unfortunately, she immediately looks down on Mabel's less-than-meteoric success.

Beanie Feldstein, 32, is an L.A. native who broke out in the late 2010s for her roles in the instant-classic coming-of-age films Lady Bird and Booksmart. She's also known for playing Monica Lewinsky in the true-crime series Impeachment: American Crime Story, and for briefly starring as Fanny Brice in the 2022 Broadway revival of Funny Girl. You also might have heard of her older brother, Jonah Hill.

Nathan Lane as Teddy Dimas; Julian Cihi as Tim Kono; Jayne Houdyshell as Bunny Folger; Jane Lynch as Sazz Pataki

In episode 2's Lester-centric episode, longtime fans will spot several familiar faces who return for cameos set throughout the doorman's career. (We also see younger versions of the main cast, including a literal baby Mabel.) Three of the show's previous murder victims return for the flashbacks: Mabel's childhood friend, Tim Kono (Julian Cihi); former co-op board head Bunny Folger (Jayne Houdyshell); and Charles's beloved bodyguard Sazz Pataki (Jane Lynch). Also, original Arconia resident Teddy Dimas (Nathan Lane) returns for the first time since season 2!

They say good things come to those who wait, and if that’s true, A Court of Thorns and Roses fans are certainly due for some good tidings as far as the book’s television adaptation is concerned.

Series enthusiasts have been waiting several long years for the small screen version of Sarah J. Maas’s best-selling romantasy books to come to fruition, with only scraps of information about the project to sustain them in the interim. While the TV show was first announced as in development by Hulu and 20th Television in 2021, it was in limbo for some time, until the streamer ultimately officially dropped it in February 2025.

However, just like when the book's heroine Feyre faced off against the Wyrm in the cavernous pit Under the Mountain, all hope is not lost. Word on the street is that Maas is looking to take the series to a different network once its option expires at Disney’s 20th Television. Below, find everything we know about the fate of the A Court of Thorns and Roses TV series adaptation, from the status of its development to the cast and release date.

Where will the 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' adaptation be released?

A Court of Thorns and Roses was originally slated to run on Hulu with Disney’s 20th Television producing until the streaming service dropped it in February 2025.

Many speculated that the show was not moving forward long before it was announced that Hulu had dropped it, considering the original showrunner had left 20th Television. Ronald D. Moore (known for sci-fi and fantasy hits like Battlestar Galactica and Outlander) was to be the showrunner, but departed the project in July 2024 after leaving Disney for Sony, where he signed a multi-year deal. Since he was no longer with the studio, he would no longer be attached to the series—though he opened up about some of the challenges it faced during a 2024 Comic Con interview. He explained at the time, “The thing about it was [going] from COVID to the [SAG-AFTRA actors’s] strikes to a lot of shakeup in terms of [Disney CEO] Bob Iger leaves, Bob Iger comes back, and as a result, that piece of development just never got traction.”

He added, “I spent a lot of time working on it, and then it didn’t happen, so okay, I just move on.”

Hulu has yet to release a big fantasy franchise on par with HBO's Emmy-winning Game of Thrones and its various spinoffs or Prime Video's Lord of the Rings prequel The Rings of Power. So, it made sense that the streamer would go after something of ACOTAR's caliber. Now that Hulu is no longer attached, Variety reported Maas is interested in shopping the project around to another network. It's currently unclear where, but fans can rest easy knowing that the series isn't totally dead.

When will the 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' TV show be released?

With no official network attached and the ACOTAR show basically back to square one, it will be a long while before it premieres. It's hard to say when, probably not for several years.

When Maas appeared on a March 2026 episode of the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, she explained that she worked hard over the past few years to get the rights back to the adaptation. And while she was able to do so and hopes to have creative control when it's time to move into production, she emphasized that writing the source novels is her main priority right now.

"I have the rights back to everything now and getting the rights back to all my things has been a big part of my journey in recent years that maybe at some point soon I will talk more about, but right now my focus is on books and it's been a little while since you guys have had something, so I'm focusing on that," she said.

With Book 6 coming out in October 2026, Book 7 due out in January 2027, and Book 8 confirmed but still be written, that'll definitely factor into the show's production timeline. Should Maas complete Book 8 sooner rather than later and then turn her focus to the adaptation, if it's fast-tracked, the soonest it might hit screens could be late 2028 or 2029.

We can look to another beloved fantasy series, Fourth Wing, getting the series treatment from Prime Video as a comparison. The project was first announced in 2023 and has undergone similar behind-the-scenes changes, with casting still underway. No release date has been confirmed for Fourth Wing either, so these things take a lot of time.

What has Sarah J. Maas said about the 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' TV series adaptation?

Maas is heavily involved with the ACOTAR TV show and hasn't just expressed her excitement, but also her hopes for creative control.

When the project was first announced, she shared on Instagram just how thrilled she was that Ronald D. Moore was on board and revealed she was a part of the writing process. Per TVLine, the author wrote in a now-deleted post, “​​It’s official … Ron Moore (creator of Outlander and one of my creative idols) and I will co-adapt ACOTAR as a TV show for Hulu! I’m currently hard at work writing the pilot with Ron (!!!!!).”

She added, “It just feels so great to finally be able to talk about this! Stay tuned for more details!!”

Maas opened up further about how she was "heavily involved" in a 2022 interview with The New York Times. “It just seemed like a new creative mountain for me to climb,” she said. “It’s a whole different way of telling stories, bringing them to life, and a whole different way of seeing my characters.”

She told the outlet that she was spending up to four hours a day on Zoom calls with Moore to help her story come to life.

In November 2023, amid the actors's strike, the writer gave another update. “We’ve written some scripts, and we’re just sort of waiting,” she told TVLine at the time. “I think the whole town is kind of waiting to see if we have actors before things really move forward, but it’s still in development.”

Since the change-ups, Maas has only spoken vaguely about what's to come. It's been reported that she's interested in shopping it around, and on "Call Her Daddy," she spoke a bit about her vision.

"I look at any TV movie adaptation as kind of like another facet of the worlds that I've created, and it's something that I want to be in charge of," Maas shared on the podcast. "I'm a type A control freak a little bit, but I want to know everything about how it gets made, not because of that control, but just because I love movies. I love TV. I want to be a part of that, and I want to see everything adapted the way I envision it and the way I know fans want it."

The author continued, "I don't ever want to hear like, 'Oh, we need to change this to appeal to XYZ’s demographic.' I'm like, 'No, that's not how you make art. That's not how I create my stories,' so when I do it, it's gonna be me, and I will dedicate everything that I have to making it right, but I'll be in there, you know, looking at all the design, but also like, 'What does it sound like?' 'cause music plays such a big part, so I'm not just gonna, like, the music is gonna have to be like a huge project."

What is the plot of 'A Court of Thorns and Roses?'

How to explain the fantastical, faerie-fueled fiction that is A Court of Thorns and Roses? Essentially, it’s a story about a young woman experiencing the splendors of love (and sex—lots of sex) for the very first time when she is forced to journey far from home.

However, in this story, the young woman is a self-made warrior named Feyre who has trained herself to hunt to provide for her family—and the object of her affection is a royal faerie named Tamlin, who has taken her to his lands against her will as penance for unwittingly slaying a member of his court.

In addition to their ongoing battle of wills (which, of course, is never not fraught with sexual tension), dangers lurk around every corner for Feyre, who must learn to coexist in a world full of monsters she never knew existed.

Who has been cast in the 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' adaptation?

Casting was never officially announced when the ACOTAR series was at Hulu, and no updates have been made since then. However, that hasn’t stopped fans from taking their best guesses as to who might play their favorite ACOTAR characters.

At the top of their list for Tamlin? Outlander’s own Sam Heughan. The actor’s character in the Starz series, Jamie Fraser, was Maas’s reported inspiration for Lucien, Tamlin’s BFF. Adding fuel to the fan theory fire is the fact that Heughan is also mentioned in the first book’s acknowledgements.

Heughan played coy when our sister site, Marie Claire Australia, asked if he was working on the project. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?” he teased.

The rumor mill also had a heyday with Margot Robbie. The Barbie actress was spotted having coffee with the romantasy novelist in March 2024, sparking buzz that they might be collaborating on something—like the ACTOR adaptation. The Oscar-nominated star notably helms LuckyChap Entertainment and is known for her work as a producer, so she may very well be interested in getting involved behind the scenes.

She's already said to be a major Maas fan: Robbie told Harper’s Bazaar that she’s read all of the books in the novelist’s series “like, a million times over.” When asked if there was anything she could do to help her new friend move the project along, she joked, “We all need that—the world needs that. I’ll see what I can do.”

Maas has also sung her praises of the Wuthering Heights star/producer. On "Call Her Daddy," she spoke highly of their friendship and how she admires what Robbie's work has meant to young women—although she notably stayed hush-hush on whether the two are actually collaborating on something for the big or small screen.

Fans have had fun floating other names for ACOTAR parts, including Henry Cavill, Theo James, Thomas Doherty, Tyler Blackburn, and Katherine Langford, among others.

Stargirl’s Brec Bassinger threw her own hat into the ring while speaking to TVLine in 2023. “Literally, after I finished the first [book], I emailed my team, and I was like, ‘Listen, I don’t care if I have one line. I have to be a part of this,” she said. “I’m not fiery enough for Nesta. I don’t present old enough for Feyre. I feel like I’d make a good Elain, but I’ll be whoever.”

Nothing has been confirmed yet, so, for now, keep the fan casts coming—and continue to check back to this story, as we'll continue to update it when more information becomes available.

Spoilers for all episodes of Are You My First? ahead. Hulu's new reality show Are You My First? makes a strong case for virgins being the best dating show contestants. In the 10-episode series from the producers of Love Island USA, a cast of singles who haven't had sex due to religious or late-bloomer reasons experience the highs and lows of reality TV dating—made even more intense by their desire to experience what they consider a major milestone. Some great casting and a lot of pent-up emotion give viewers one of the best reality TV couples of this year: Rachael Staudt and Michael Fractor.

Both Rachael and Michael fall on the non-religious side of the show's contestants: She's a 30-year-old Tampa-based cocktail waitress (and romantasy author!) looking for love, and he's a 26-year-old stand-up comedian who is a familiar face to viewers of the short-lived Netflix show Twentysomethings: Austin. By the end of the show, Michael and Rachael are the only day one couple left standing, and with all episodes streaming now, fans are wondering whether they became each other's firsts after filming ended. (No, none of the show's cast actually had sex for the first time on reality TV, thankfully.)

Below, read on for everything to know about Michael and Rachael's relationship timeline, including any clues to whether they're still together.

What happened between Michael and Rachael on 'Are You My First?'

When Michael first saw Rachael, he quickly declared that she was the hottest woman there and out of his league. However, on the first night, they quickly hit it off with their similar sense of humor. Rachael is also upfront that she has vaginismus, a disorder in which the vaginal muscles involuntarily tighten and make penetrative sex painful. She says in a confessional that Michael makes her feel safe and secure, and she could see herself losing her virginity to him.

Rachael makes a big power move up front during the night one white party, painting a ring onto Michael's finger to show that she's only interested in him. By episode 2, the couple are cuddling in a beached canoe and sharing their first kiss, which Rachael says is her first in years. She's so happy that she even gets emotional and tears up in a confessional.

Unfortunately, midway through episode 3, Michael has to leave the island early due to a family emergency. (He later shared that he traveled back home due to a death in the family.) Rachel immediately breaks into tears about her connection being ripped away, and she spends the next several episodes making it clear that her mind is still firmly on Michael.

Luckily, his departure from the show was only temporary! Before the second "virgin sacrifice" in episode 7, Michael returns to the show and is reunited with Rachael. Michael is happy to hear that Rachael waited for him, and just an hour later, he declares that he had a romantic connection with her at the ceremony.

However, they face a bit of awkwardness when they become the first couple to head into the Love Shack (the show's version of a Hideaway, but even more so since the cast usually sleeps in gender-separated dorms). Rachael is enthusiastic about spending the night together, but once they try to cuddle, she has a "visceral reaction" in which her body feels uncomfortable. They end up leaving the Love Shack without staying the night, and the next day, Rachael cries in frustration over her physical intimacy issues.

In a very good scene (that seems like a first-ever on reality TV), Rachael asks host Kaitlyn Bristowe for advice. It turns out that the former Bachelorette has vaginismus as well and experiences the same impulse to freeze up, even if she feels safe with someone. Rachael admits that she has a "fear of being loved back," but she wants to work on it with Michael. In episode 9, they have a good conversation about the Love Shack incident and her struggles with intimacy, before they cover each other in paint and faux-propose to each other.

In episode 10, each of the final couples moves into their own Love Shack for three days to spend quality time together. Rachael is initially nervous, and when Michael returns from a confessional interview, he finds her crying in the bathroom because she's overwhelmed. However, they get more comfortable sleeping together every night. Then, they hit a snag when discussing long distance for the first time, and Michael is much more hesitant about making that commitment.

Still, at the end of it all, Michael tells her, "I'd be a fool to end this. We have something so good."

Are Michael and Rachael still together after 'Are You My First?'

Despite their sweet romance, it's currently unclear whether Michael and Rachael are still dating a year after the Hulu series was filmed. Several days after the premiere of Are You My First?, neither of them follows the other on Instagram, though they both follow other cast members from the show. It's possible that the long distance between Texas and Florida affected them, or they may have tried to remain spoiler-free immediately after the show's premiere.

There is a bit of hope for the pair! A scroll through Rachael's Instagram shows that she visited Michael's home base of Austin, Texas, last January, and went on what could've been a romantic dinner. Fingers crossed that means the love birds at least made it work for a while—and may still be together. We'll have to wait and hear from them if they're still going strong.

2025's a big year for late bloomers finding love on reality TV. First, there was the Korean reality show Better Late Than Single, and now there's Are You My First?, Hulu's latest unscripted series from the producers of Love Island USA. Hosted by Bachelor alums Kaitlyn Bristowe and Colton Underwood, the new reality series is a classic tropical dating show that takes a bunch of hot people and drops them into a villa to flirt and fall in love. However, the stakes are higher because they're all looking for their first (physical, at least) love.

Like its international counterpart, the surprising sincerity of Are You My First? belies its eyebrow-raising title (and Iain Stirling-style voiceover narration). Especially after a summer of intense reality drama, the cast of this series feels like a breath of fresh air, with a handful of ready-made TV personalities (and alums from other shows) sprinkled in. Leave your expectations at the door; there are way fewer corny challenges and way more genuine conversations (and sex-education trivia) than you'd expect.

To build out its roster of virgins, Hulu found hopeful singles including L.A. models, Florida entrepreneurs, a pageant queen, a romantasy author, and a handful of Mormons. Below, read on to meet the cast of Are You My First?.

Andrew

Instagram: @andrewmarino_

Age: 25

Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

Occupation: Sales consultant; entrepreneur

Why They're Waiting: "Saving it for the one who will 'be his forever.'"

Brooklyn

Instagram: @brooklynhbenson

Age: 24

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Occupation: Model; actress; dance instructor

Why They're Waiting: "Believes the right one is 'worth the wait.'"

Carissa

Instagram: @carissaestellee

Age: 27

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Occupation: Social media manager

Why They're Waiting: "Holding space for 'the one who's truly right.'"

Deya

Instagram: @deyabazan

Age: 28

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Occupation: Small business owner

Why They're Waiting: "Looking to create a lasting 'storybook love' with the right one."

Farha

Instagram: @farhakhalidi

Age: 25

Hometown: Miami, FL

Occupation: Writer; content creator

Fun Fact: She has 1.7 million TikTok followers.

Why They're Waiting: "'Late bloomer' who figures she might as well wait for true love."

Godwin

Instagram: @godwin__asamoah

Age: 27

Hometown: Ghana; Edison, NJ

Occupation: Actor; model

Fun Fact: He was in Rihanna's Savage X Fenty Vol. 3 fashion show.

Why They're Waiting: "Still looking because he's 'holding out for his queen.'"

Hakeem

Instagram: @hakeem_kiser

Age: 27

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Occupation: Voiceover artist; poet

Why They're Waiting: "Approaches with caution because he 'knows the risk.'"

Jade

Instagram: @jadee_t

Age: 28

Hometown: New Orleans, LA

Occupation: Marketing specialist

Fun Fact: She's a former NFL cheerleader and Miss New Orleans USA '22 and '23.

Why They're Waiting: "She's 'never been in a serious relationship'—but never say never."

Jake

Instagram: @jakerohrs

Age: 32

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Occupation: Caregiver

Why They're Waiting: "Waiting for marriage because his 'faith calls him' to."

Katya

Instagram: @katyaferrer

Age: 28

Hometown: Orange County, CA / New York, NY

Occupation: Theater artist

Why They're Waiting: "Holding out because everything is about sex except sex. 'Sex is about power.'"

Krash

Instagram: @krashpavic

Age: 24

Hometown: Miami, FL

Occupation: Social media manager

Why They're Waiting: "'Strict upbringing' taught him to wait for the right one."

Layne

Instagram: @layne.gwartney

Age: 24

Hometown: Hammon, OK

Occupation: Commercial pilot

Why They're Waiting: "He's never had a 'serious girlfriend'...so far."

Madi

Instagram: @madikolodgie

Age: 28

Hometown: Houston, TX / Austin, TX

Occupation: Influencer marketing manager

Why They're Waiting: "Her fear of intimacy is making her wait 'to meet her true love.'"

Michael

Instagram: @michaelaaronfractor

Age: 26

Hometown: Austin, TX

Occupation: Tour guide; stand-up comedian

Fun Fact: He was previously on the Netflix reality show Twentysomethings: Austin.

Why They're Waiting: "Needs to work through his 'fear of intimacy' first."

Mike

Instagram: @mikeyplaneta

Age: 34

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Occupation: Gym owner / entrepreneur

Fun Fact: He was a contestant on season 17 (Katie Thurston's season) of The Bachelorette.

Why They're Waiting: "His faith called to say he needs to 'wait until marriage.'"

Noah

Instagram: @noahtokjenson

Age: 25

Hometown: San Clemente, CA

Occupation: Business owner

Why They're Waiting: "'Waiting' to walk down the aisle before hopping into bed."

Rachael

Instagram: @rachael_staudt

Age: 30

Hometown: Tampa, FL

Occupation: Cocktail waitress; romantasy author

Why They're Waiting: "Navigating a 'health challenge' that impacts physical intimacy."

Sara

Instagram: @sarabrito29

Age: 28

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Occupation: Student

Why They're Waiting: "Holding out for love after she 'prioritized her studies growing up.'"

Spencer

Instagram: @spencer.johnsons

Hometown: Vancouver Island, Canada / Boise, Idaho

Occupation: Residential solar salesman

Why They're Waiting: "Looking for someone who makes his first 'fulfilling and meaningful.'"

Ty

Instagram: @ty.cannon

Age: 25

Hometown: Provo, Utah

Occupation: Software engineer / web developer

Fun Fact: He's Mormon and graduated from BYU.

Why They're Waiting: "He's still waiting for the 'right one' and he's not afraid to admit it."

Vivek

Instagram: @vivek__sun

Age: 23

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Occupation: Financial accountant; model

Why They're Waiting: "Wants to share that moment with 'someone he truly trusts.'"

This story contains extensive spoilers for Washington Black. If you go into Washington Black completely blind, you’d expect the Hulu new miniseries to be a promising period drama filled with adventure and romance. In the first few minutes, viewers follow the titular hero through an ordinary day: experimenting with his flying machine and going to work at the Halifax docks, until his life changes forever when he meets an alluring woman named Tanna Goffe (Iola Evans). It takes 13 minutes for the series to reveal the dark history that he cannot escape: George Washington Black ran away from a Barbados slave plantation as a child, with a bounty hunter on his tail.

The eight-episode series, adapted from Esi Edugyan’s acclaimed 2018 novel of the same name, concurrently follows Wash’s life as an adult and the start of his journey, when the then-11-year-old (played by Eddie Karanja) was taken under the wing of wealthy abolitionist inventor Christopher “Titch” Wilde (Tom Ellis). If the book-to-screen adaptation followed the same linear timeline as the novel, a majority of Wash’s story would be spent on his relationship with Titch, and the series would primarily be a subversive examination of the "white savior” trope. That would be a fine show, but I would've been left frustrated. Instead, Washington Black makes several elevated changes to establish Wash as the active protagonist of his own story, rather than a man who is reactive to his place in a society built by white men.

Let me be clear: In the Black Twitter debate over depictions of suffering in film, I am not a hardline “no more slave movies” girl. I recognize that, at a time when history is literally being removed from the public record, nuanced movies about the horrors of the past are necessary to connect those horrors with the present and warn against history repeating itself. But unfortunately, shows like Roots and The Underground Railroad are outliers. Most of the period pieces made about Black people are often either traumatizing torture porn, flimsy racial utopias with color-blind casting, or more focused on the white character’s absolution than the Black character’s development. We already have enough shows about the Titchs of the world, and thankfully, the Washington Black miniseries isn’t another one.

Instead, show creator Selwyn Seyfu Hinds gives Wash and the other Black characters more agency and freedom to exist outside of white influence. Wash’s time in Nova Scotia is just one of the book’s four parts, and Wash lives an empty existence until he meets another benefactor in the form of Tanna and her white father (played by Rupert Graves). In the show, however, Wash is passionately swept up in his work before he meets Tanna. He has also found the protector that Titch could never have truly been in Medwin Harris, a minor role from the book that was expanded, with Paradise star Sterling K. Brown pulling double-duty as both actor and executive producer. Later on, Wash’s confrontation with Willard, the slave catcher who has been hunting him for half a decade, is not meant to be the grand finale; it happens in episode 6, with ample time for Wash to move forward without any harbinger of slavery hanging over his head.

The final episode of Washington Black expands the story into a new frontier that I hope to see more of in Hollywood—one where Black period pieces can fully go from harmful to healing. It begins by following the path the book laid; Wash discovers that Titch is still alive and goes to Morocco to confront him, realizing that the white man cannot get past his own childhood trauma. (Hurt people hurt people, antebellum edition.) The book ends ambiguously, only hinting at a future for Wash and Tanna, but the show follows their next adventures. Wash finally builds his flying machine and sails it to his ancestral homeland, Dahomey. There, he’s welcomed by his mother’s former community and learns that before she was enslaved, she was one of the king’s prized female warriors.

Being back home, Wash is also able to reconnect with his mother in a dream. The two communicate, and she explains that she never told him that she was his birth mother because it was better that he didn’t know the truth of his parentage, when they could be ripped apart at any moment. In that moment, Washington Black produced something I’ve never seen before: an exploration of an enslaved woman’s life that not only decentered her captivity but also honored the heartbreaking sacrifice she made rather than lingering on the horrors inflicted upon her.

Washington Black may be a slave story, but it subverts everything about the subgenre. Black characters are given the space to exist outside of pure terror and survival, to find community support, fall in love, and dream of a more equitable world, and the series manages to never falter from wider historical accuracy. The adaptation's take on Wash’s story is the show I need to watch at this moment, to remind me that even in the most authoritarian times, joy and community can be acts of defiance that ensure that we remain free.

Hulu's new miniseries Washington Black is a must-watch for anyone who loves period dramas but is looking for a new take on the genre. (Or if you need your Sterling K. Brown fix while waiting for Paradise season 2.) Adapted from Esi Edugyan's acclaimed novel, Washington Black follows the titular character, a brilliant Black boy born into slavery who dreams of becoming a genius inventor. The dual storylines follow Wash both as a boy on a globe-trotting journey from Barbados to Virginia to the North Pole, and as a young man falling in love while living free in 1837 Halifax, Nova Scotia.

"[It's about] a little Black boy who refused to have his circumstances dictate his possibility and all of the people who recognize that to have a dreamer in their presence is a rare and beautiful thing, and needs to be protected at all cost," star and executive producer Brown told Marie Claire at a London junket and activation. "It doesn't matter that he's inured in the circumstances of slavery. He is going to dream what he's going to dream, until it becomes his truth."

To bring the historical fiction novel to life, creator Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and Brown recruited a cast of talented up-and-coming stars and fan-favorite television veterans from shows like Lucifer and Game of Thrones. Below, read on to learn more about the all-star cast of Washington Black.

Eddie Karanja as Young Washington Black

George Washington Black, a.k.a. Wash, was born on a Barbados sugar plantation and raised by an enslaved woman named Big Kit. His life changes forever at age 11, when a member of the plantation-owning family recognizes his natural intellect.

Eddie Karanja is a young British actor who began with stage roles and made his onscreen debut in the 2020 Christmas movie Jack And The Beanstalk: After Ever After. Before Washington Black, he was best known for playing Jed Walker in the first season of Netflix's The Sandman.

Ernest Kingsley Jr. as Washington Black

As an adult, Wash (now going by the name Jack Crawford) lives as a free man and budding scientist in Nova Scotia, Canada, where he's part of a community that spans the African and Caribbean diaspora. However, his traumatic past still follows him.

Ernest Kingsley Jr. grew up in England and made his acting debut in 2015, on the sci-fi series The Sparticle Mystery. His other credits include the 2022 shows War of the Worlds and Grace, as well as an episode of The Sandman. He also wrote the upcoming short film A Love Story.

Tom Ellis as Titch Wilde

Christopher “Titch” Wilde is the younger brother of Wash's plantation owner, Erasmus Wilde (Julian Rhind-Tutt). In addition to being less cruel than his brother, Titch is an abolitionist and inventor who takes Wash under his wing to be an assistant and help build a flying machine.

Tom Ellis, 46, is a Welsh actor who's best known stateside for playing the titular character in the cult-favorite series Lucifer. His other credits include EastEnders, The Catherine Tate Show, Miranda, Merlin, and season 2 of Tell Me Lies. Next up, he's set to appear in the Netflix movie adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club.

Sterling K. Brown as Medwin Harris

Medwin Harris is a boarding-house owner and de facto leader of the Black community in Nova Scotia, who serves as Wash's mentor and father figure.

Sterling K. Brown, 49, is an Emmy-winning actor best known for starring in shows like American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson, This Is Us, and Paradise, as well as the films Black Panther, Waves, and Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. In 2024, he received an Oscar nomination for his role in the satirical comedy American Fiction. He also hosts the podcast "We Don't Always Agree" with his wife, Ryan Michelle Bathe.

Iola Evans as Tanna Goff

Tanna Goff is the British daughter of a scientist who helps him with his experiments. Her mother was a Black woman from the Solomon Islands, who died when Tanna was young. Though Tanna does not want to hide her racial heritage, her father encourages her to pass for white and marry a wealthy man.

Iola Evans grew up in Reading, England, and graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She made her acting debut in a 2018 production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins's play An Octoroon, and went on to appear in small roles on Carnival Row and The 100. She also starred in the horror movies Out of Darkness and Netflix's Choose or Die.

Edward Bluemel as Billy McGee

William "Billy" McGee is a handsome young aristocrat who is hosting the Goffs in Halifax under the arrangement that he will marry Tanna, which Tanna discovers once they arrive. Like several people in this show, he's hiding a major secret.

Edward Bluemel, 32, is an English actor who made his West End debut in 2017 and appeared in shows and films including A Discovery of Witches, Sex Education, Killing Eve, and Netflix's Persuasion. He's best known for playing Lord Guildford Dudley in Prime Video's short-lived romantasy series My Lady Jane.

Rupert Graves as Mr. Goff

Tanna's father Mr. Goff is a member of the same royal scientific society that both Wash and Titch have always wanted to join. Goff is played by Rupert Graves, 62, a long-time actor who has appeared in dozens of shows and films, including A Room With a View, Maurice, V for Vendetta, Death at a Funeral (2007), Emma., and Surface. He's best known for playing D.I. Lestrade in the BBC's Sherlock.

Sharon Duncan-Brewster as Miss Angie

Miss Angie, another member of the Halifax community who has a will-they-won't-they flirtation with Medwin, is played by Sharon Duncan-Brewster, 49. The British actress is best known for starring in action blockbusters, including Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Dune, and Ballerina. She has also appeared in dozens of British shows, including Bad Girls, EastEnders, Top Boy, and Sex Education, as well as in the 2023 indie film Earth Mama. Next up, she's set to reprise her role as Mira Troy (a.k.a. Moriarty) in the Netflix movie Enola Holmes 3.

Shaunette Renée Wilson as Big Kit

Big Kit, who raised Wash as a young boy, is played by Shaunette Renée Wilson, 35. Wilson was born in Guyana and grew up in N.Y.C. before graduating from the Yale School of Drama. She made her onscreen debut with a role in the Showtime series Billions, followed by roles in Black Panther (as a member of the Dora Milaje), Into the Dark, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Karate Kids: Legends. She's also known for playing Dr. Mina Okafor in the medical drama The Resident.

Billy Boyd as Willard

Willard, a bounty hunter who's set on capturing Wash, is played by Billy Boyd, 56. The Scottish actor and musician is best known for playing Peregrin "Pippin" Took and appearing on the soundtrack for the original Lord of the Rings trilogy. He also voiced Chucky's child, Glen/Glenda, in the 2004 film Seed of Chucky, and he has appeared in the shows Moby Dick, Snowfall, Outlander, and The Legend of Vox Machina.

Sundra Oakley as Theodora

Theodora, a badass pirate who young Wash meets along his journey, is played by Sundra Oakley, 50. The Jamaican-American actress has appeared in shows and films including Sex and the City, Days of Our Lives, Big Hero 6, Legends, The Resident, and Bob Marley: One Love. She also competed on Survivor: Cook Islands in 2006, where she placed fourth.

Charles Dance as James Wilde

Charles Dance, a.k.a. Tywin Lannister himself, makes a special appearance as Titch's father. As a 19th-century nepo baby, Titch struggles to live up to his father's standards and reputation.

Dance, 78, is a renowned English actor who started his career as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company before transitioning to screen roles. In addition to Game of Thrones, he's best known for playing Lord Louis Mountbatten in The Crown seasons 3 and 4. He has also starred in countless films, including Alien 3, Godsford Park, The Imitation Game, Me Before You, and Mank.

From her very first scene in Hulu’s new miniseries Washington Black, Iola Evans is a force to be reckoned with. In the series adapted from Esi Edugyan’s book of the same name, the actress plays Tanna Goff, the daughter of a 19th-century scientist who appears to be a typical English rose. Her true identity as a biracial woman with a mother from the Solomon Islands is a monumental secret in the age of slavery—but it’s not one that Tanna wants to keep. As Tanna and her father begin their new life in Nova Scotia, and he insists that she must only be a “child of England,” she asks the simple question, “Why can’t I be more?”

The coming-of-age period drama is a tale of self-discovery and defiant joy for many of its characters, including Tanna and the titular character, a genius inventor who escaped slavery (played as an adult by Ernest Kingsley Jr.). It was the same for Evans, who has previously held roles that reflect her biracial identity, including her 2018 stage debut in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s play An Octoroon. "It was nice to play a character who just wants to be her whole full self, which is like, Why can I not be that?” Evans tells Marie Claire at a London junket and activation.

She adds, "I was doing a bit of processing in real time."

Filming the Hulu series was an emotional experience for the Reading, England-born actress and the rest of the cast, who spent several months traveling between Nova Scotia, Mexico, and Iceland. But still, her co-star and series executive producer Sterling K. Brown describes her as being “wickedly fierce” throughout the entire shoot. “I feel like that fierceness comes across in Tanna in the most incredible ways,” he says. “[Tanna] was not a damsel-in-distress by any stretch of the imagination, nor is Iola. She’s the perfect person to bring this character to life.”

Below, Evans chats with Marie Claire about depicting an 1800s love triangle, channeling mythology for Tanna’s backstory, and the legacy she wants to leave beyond Hollywood.

MC: When you first heard about Washington Black and the role of Tanna, what made you excited about the project?

IE: I was excited to do something which was being made by the creator Selwyn [Hinds] because I [previously] went up for another project that he did. I think he's so gracious and kind. We had a general meeting, and we had this amazing chat about what it means to be an artist. It was all sorts of things, which I hadn't really thought about before, and it came up at this special time. So when [Washington Black] came up, I was excited to be seen for it. Then I read the book and fell in love with Esi's original story and the original Tanna, and I was excited to see where it went from there.

MC: Tanna’s first scene introduces her as someone who demands to be more than what society had for her. What about her story did you relate to?

IE: Part of what Tanna's challenge is is taking responsibility for her own identity, because I think other people are quite quick to assign it to her. There are a lot of quite constrictive social things going on that she is obligated to behave a certain way to pass as white. Her own father is encouraging her to pass too. But I really think our lives are so precious, so you have to—as best as you can with what you've got—try and be on this quest for a fully realized, authentic existence. And to be around people who bring that out in you, and this is what Tanna and Wash do for each other.

MC: How much does Tanna’s attitude towards her biracial identity relate to your own experience?

IE: I've been quite lucky in that a lot of my roles have really explicitly been exploring someone grappling with their racial identity. With An Octoroon, because that was my first job and I was just trying to do a good job, things hit me afterwards. With that one, [the character] hated her Blackness. It's really been a journey for me as well, exploring my own racial identity and some of the privileges and challenges that come with being racially ambiguous. It depends who's looking, and you see Tanna navigate some of that as well, so that was interesting for me.

I don't know if we have a precedent yet for how we make sure we take good care of ourselves on jobs that tackle very personal themes. But I think on Washington Black, a lot of the cast and crew had quite personal connections to the story or aspects of the story. And for me as well, it was a real lesson in trying to lead with openness, be aware of the own limitations in my experiences, and meet with people who are from the Caribbean, who are from Africa, who they don't know what their heritage is because they've been denied—and everyone's different relationship to their own Blackness. I felt really good to be a part of that.

MC: When you were building your character, how did you imagine Tanna's mom?

IE: I had this idea that Tanna almost imagined her mother as this god-like figure because her time with her was cut short, and ever since then, she's been trying to get back to this time where she felt free and whole and at home. I took a bit of inspiration from the Yoruba goddess Oshun. I saw some different artwork, and this is kind of how I imagined her mother.

MC: How did you build your relationships with Ernest Kingsley Jr. and Edward Bluemel, who play the two love interests, Washington Black and Billy McGee?

IE: There's sort of tension between the two. At the start of the story, Tanna is a little naïve to some of the obligations she might have to face, and there is a reason why her father is strongly suggesting that she conforms to a certain expectation of how she should appear. So, I think McGee represents that obligation and a much more established route to a future. But he's also more charming than she would like, considering that she's like, No thank you. He offers her security and even wants her to embrace some bits of herself—playing the piano and things like that.

Whereas Wash, I think, is the first person in her young adult life who really sees her for who she is. She's felt so disconnected from her own Blackness, so I think there's something about Wash, which also feels very important to her in that aspect. But also because she has been denied a lot of the experiences of being an unambiguously Black person in that time period, there are quite a lot of limitations of her understanding. So, there's a lot of risk involved in her relationship with Wash, but you see them start to understand each other better over time as they grow as people.

MC: If Tanna met Billy casually and there was no arranged marriage from the start, do you think that she could have grown to love him?

IE: Quite possibly. For the first two minutes that they know they meet each other before Tanna knows the situation, I think she's like, Oh, who's this guy? The three of them [Tanna, Billy, and Wash] [are] all interested in carving out their own identity, even if it's unconventional. I think, as well, though, at the start of the story, Tanna is a little lonely because she has been denied a sense of community. So I would hope that she wouldn't end up with McGee just like the first person who came along who was nice. I'm glad that you see her get to understand more of herself through the different relationships she forms along the course of the story.

MC: Tanna is very clear about wanting to build a legacy for yourself. What do you hope your legacy will be?

IE: Truthfully, I always really wanted to be involved in climate conservation. When I hoped to grow up to be an actor, I saw how actors could use their platform to talk about important issues and use their wealth to try and do something useful about it. I know there are arguments about, Should you speak on certain things or should you just shut up and do your job? But I would like to live a life where I try to do minimal harm—I don't think you can do no harm—and try to always lead with curiosity. I really hope for the future that we can find a bit more of a sustainable way to live with each other and our environment. That's my hope.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Any popular reality show generates buzz and drama both on- and off-screen, but the drama tangling the lives and storylines of the The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast feels especially one-of-a-kind. For the first two seasons, cast member Jessi Ngatikaura has mostly remained on the outskirts of that drama. She isn’t known for her feuds, fights, or messiness, but rather for her frankness in discussing subjects like vaginal rejuvenation and her successful haircare business. But in the recently released season 3, which premiered on Hulu on November 13, Jessi finds herself smack in the center of a maelstrom of drama.

As fans may recall, Mormon Wives season 2 ended with a cliffhanger cheating allegation levied by Vanderpump Villa star Marciano Brunette at Jessi. But even before the bombshell dropped, drama was already starting to heat up for the haircare entrepreneur, as tensions between her and her bestie-turned-enemy Demi Engemann began to boil over. Season 3 picks up in the immediate aftermath of last season’s cliffhanger, and Jessi is right in the middle of it all. Below, get up to speed on everything you need to know about Jessi Ngatikaura ahead of her whirlwind season.

Jessi Ngatikaura is a Utah-based influencer and the co-owner of JZ Styles.

Jessi Ngatikaura, 33, is a content creator and co-owner of the hair company JZ Styles. She began with a hair-focused YouTube channel and later transitioned to Instagram and TikTok, where she currently has 1.4 million followers. The JZ Styles enterprise includes a Utah hair salon, a brand of hair extensions, haircare products, accessories, and a hair school called JZ Academy, which offers online and in-person instruction. Jessi runs the entire business alongside her family.

In a 2024 Instagram video, Jessi explained that the name JZ Styles was inspired by her couple nickname with her then-husband, which was based on their first initials, and her love for Harry Styles.

"When [I] got divorced, it was never really a question in my mind of whether I should change my business or my Instagram name because it had become so much more than that," she said. She also added that the name of her son is Jagger Zayn (also inspired by One Direction), so "he is the new JZ."

Jessi Ngatikaura left the Mormon church in her mid 20s.

Jessi is one of the #MomTok women on SLOMW who is no longer a member of the Mormon church. She has opened up about leaving the Church of Latter-day Saints during interviews, including an appearance on Live with Kelly and Mark ahead of the second season. "I represent an ex-Mormon on the show, which I love because every religion has people who are super devout and people who have left,” she said. “I love that anyone in any religion can relate."

When asked why she left, she explained, "It can be really toxic where we live and I just felt like it wasn't for me," she said. "And half of my family had already left, so when I was in my mid-20s, I started stepping away."

Jessi has a blended family with her husband Jordan Ngatikaura.

Jessi married Jordan Ngatikaura in October 2020, just eight months after the couple got engaged. According to LinkedIn, Jordan works as an entrepreneur and manager at RISE Energy, a Utah-based solar company.

Before Jordan, Jessi was married to her first husband, Zac Gish, for five years. She now lives in a blended family with Jordan, which includes Jordan's daughter Peyton, whom he welcomed in a previous relationship, their son Jagger Zayn (born in April 2020), and daughter Jovi (born in January 2023).

Jessi and Jordan have experienced ongoing marital troubles following Marciano Brunette’s claim that he had an affair with Jessi.

Season 3 of Mormon Wives picks up in the aftermath of Vanderpump Villa star Marciano telling Layla Taylor about his and Jessi’s alleged affair when she was a guest on an episode of the Hulu reality series. Demi denied rumors of infidelity throughout season 2 of Mormon Wives, but in the finale, Marciano claimed that he had slept with Jessi and that Jordan didn't know the extent of the alleged cheating.

In the season 3 premiere, Layla confronts Jessi about Marciano’s allegations at an influencer event in Utah. Jessi then divulges to Layla, and later the rest of the #MomTok crew, that she and Jordan separated in September 2024 after “struggling” in their relationship for a while. Immediately after, Jessi went to L.A. and encountered Marciano. Jessi very explicitly states she never had sex with Marciano, but did kiss him twice and engaged in an emotional relationship with the reality TV personality because she wanted validation and a distraction amid her marital issues.

She later told Jordan, who, by the time of season 3’s filming in winter 2025, had known of the affair for “six months.” The two chose to keep the affair private as they worked through their issues in the hopes of remaining together.

Still, Jessi didn’t understand why Marciano would turn on her now, after having previously told her that he “had her back.” Marciano’s allegations also cast doubt on Jessi in her husband’s eyes, driving a wedge in their already fractured relationship.

The two enter into a 90-day separation—with the intention of “finding their way back to each other”—in which they switch off nights with their children, have regular check-ins, and only discuss their relationship in therapy. All the while, Jessi attempts to absolve herself of guilt and prove Marciano’s deceit. Marciano finally confirms during a confrontation with Mikayla Matthews and Mayci Neeley that he lied about having sex with Jessi, which is further confirmed when he and Jessi take a lie detector test during a girls’s trip to St. George, Utah. The revelation, however, doesn’t mend Jessi and Jordan’s relationship. Viewers continue to see the two fight, and Jordan expresses anger over the situation Jessi’s put him and their family in. But by the end of the season, the pair seems to be in a better place.

Jessi Ngatikaura is feuding with her former best friend Demi Engemann.

Throughout season 1 of the Hulu hit, Jessi and her then-bestie Demi stood out for their frank conversation styles and penchant for stirring up drama. However, in season 2, viewers saw the pair's friendship start to deteriorate. Halfway through the season, Jessi revealed that she and Demi had a "little disagreement about money.” That’s eventually revealed to be that, during contract negotiations ahead of season 2, Demi expressed being willing to have Jessi leave the show to get more money herself. Taylor Frankie Paul also claimed that Demi was planning to "push [Jessi] to the side."

While Jessi was forgiving about this slight, tensions grew as Taylor revealed that Demi had told her not to go to Jessi's salon and that Jessi was bad at doing hair. This really shook the hairstylist, whose livelihood depends on her reputation, and it seemed that Demi was unapologetic about the incident on the show.

Drama built up even more so in the months following season 2, with the cast winking at the noticeable elephant in the room during press and the show’s July reunion. But once season 3 premiered in November, Demi was nowhere to be seen. In fact, the #MomTok star doesn’t physically appear all that much in season 3 of the show. Her former costars explain her obvious absence was a result of her asking for and being denied higher pay during contract re-negotiations heading into the new episodes, prompting her to depart the series and #MomTok—but her presence is felt in plenty of other ways.

By the end of season 2, when Demi delivers an ultimatum to the rest of the women to choose between keeping her or Taylor in the group, Jessi reveals that Demi expressed anger at her for not “100%” backing her up in the meeting and sent her a slew of paragraphs-long rage texts. This, compounded by the contract- and hair-gates of season 2, prompted Jessi to tell Demi she no longer cared for a friendship. She then blocked the other reality star/content creator.

The relationship sours even further when Marciano reveals to Mikayla and Mayci that Demi “influenced” him to lie about having sex with Jessi. He goes on to insinuate that Demi did it to hide her own alleged flirtations and involvement with him, which he claims included kissing. Demi, however, asserts throughout the show and to the press that Marciano is a predator and she is a victim of sexual harassment.

The feud reaches a stalemate after Demi and Jessi finally meet in person in season 3, episode 6, aptly titled “The Book of Confrontation,” to discuss the various allegations levied against each other. In this encounter, Demi refutes ever kissing Marciano outside of a “truth or dare” game and that she was upset Jessi could have any relationship with a person who hurt her the way Marciano did. Jessi expresses a desire to simply “let” the whole thing go and move on, calling the meeting an “impossible conversation” to the camera.

When The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives returned for its second season on May 15, 2025, fans were greeted with 10 episodes of peak reality TV chaos. Since its first season debuted in September 2024, the Hulu series has become a pop-culture phenomenon, with millions following a cohort of young Mormon influencer moms as they grapple with their patriarchal religion while living their outrageous lives.

SLOMW season 2 ended with several cliffhangers, including a failed coup attempt on #MomTok's biggest star and the shocking reveal of a potential full-blown affair. An end title card promised that the season was "to be continued," culminating in an early July reunion special—but Hulu has confirmed that even more episodes are on the way. Below, we're keeping track of all the news we can find about The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 3.

Is 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' coming back for season 3?

On July 1, during the emotional Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion special, the women of #MomTok revealed that the show will return for a third season, rather than a continuation of season 2.

The fate of Mormon Wives post-season 2 initially caused some confusion among reality fans. When the show's renewal was announced in October 2024, the streamer revealed it had ordered 20 new episodes of the reality hit, according to Variety. At the time, Hulu didn't confirm whether the longer episode length meant the show would have a supersized second season, or film seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back. We now know that the 20 episodes were meant to span two 10-episode seasons.

When will 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 3 come out?

Everyone grab a dirty soda: #MomTok has a return date! Hulu has confirmed that all 10 episodes of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season 3 will arrive on the streamer on November 13, 2025.

In addition to the teaser clips included at the end of season 2, episode 10, where it appears the Marciano reveal may lead to a war between Demi and Jessi, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed on May 22 that production was underway for new episodes. As reported by the outlet, "It’s unclear when," but SLOMW is expected to return "later this year as the cast is actively filming those remaining 10 episodes."

A few weeks later, on June 5, Whitney Leavitt revealed in a Decider interview that she recently wrapped filming on the series. The star also promised that “a lot of questions will be answered” in the next 10 episodes.

Who in 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' cast will return for season 3?

All of the #MomTok women is confirmed to return for season 3, including Taylor Frankie Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, Demi Engemann, Jessi Ngatikaura, Jen Affleck, Layla Taylor, and new show addition (but returning original #MomTok member) Miranda McWhorter.

Some fans wondered whether Taylor wasn't actually coming back when it was announced in September that she's the next star of The Bachelorette. However, when the influencer announced the news on the "Call Her Daddy" podcast, she clarified that she'll still be on Mormon Wives. (This makes sense, especially considering production took place earlier this year and The Bachelorette has yet to start filming. Her season of the ABC hit won't air until sometime in 2026.) And it'll be a big season for her, too: The reality star said on "Call Her Daddy" that she and Dakota's break-up will be shown on screen.

While we'll see a fair amount of Taylor, as usual, it's unknown how much Jen will be involved in the new episodes. In season 2, episode 6, she decided to stop filming Mormon Wives to focus on her mental health, as she was grappling with marital issues and prenatal depression after discovering she was pregnant with her third child.

It's unclear how long Jen's break was between the time of episode 6's filming—the first 10 episodes took place between October and December 2024— and the season 2 premiere, but season 3's first teaser (more on that below) shows that she did return to the group last spring. In a February 11 interview with PEOPLE, Jen said that throughout her third pregnancy, she has "realize[d] what truly matters most. I've learned that help and resources are available if you seek them. This journey has profoundly changed me and shaped the person, mother, and friend I aspire to be."

What will 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 3 be about?

Hulu has released an official synopsis for season 3: "#Momtok is back, but damaging revelations and allegations threaten its future. The members face a crisis of friendship as loyalties shift, trust is tested, and the lines between fact and fiction blur. When the pursuit of the truth calls character into question, a war over morality begins and a clash between #Momtok and #Dadtok erupts. With their sisterhood and everything they’ve built hanging in the balance, can the women find a path forward to salvation? Or will their collective sins destroy #Momtok for good?"

Considering the season 2 cliffhanger, a large part of Mormon Wives's new episodes will likely focus on Jessi's alleged affair with Vanderpump Villa's Marciano Brunette, as well as how that drama will affect Jessi and Demi's friendship. In the press run ahead of season 2, Demi appeared to be on the outs with every #MomTok member except Whitney, with the pair leaning into their "villain" status.

The cast hinted at more drama to come during season 2's reunion special. During the reunion, Jessi was tight-lipped on the fallout of Marciano's accusation—including the state of her marriage, as she did not wear her wedding ring during the reunion—but she promised that the big question of whether or not she slept with Marciano will be "unpacked" in season 3.

Is there a trailer for 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 3?

Let's go, girls! Hulu shared a trailer for The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in late October in anticipation of the mid-November premiere date. Mayci puts it best at the start of the clip when she says, "#MomTok is at its lowest point right now"—because essentially everything that unfolds looks like a whole lot of drama! It seems as though the various feuds and controversies, from Jessi's cheating scandal and its effect on the group dynamic—particularly her friendship with Whitney—to skepticism surrounding Miranda, including the possibility of a lie detector test, to some marital problems behind closed doors.

"If there's one thing we're good at, it's getting to the bottom of a scandal," says Mikayala—and we don't doubt her!

Oh, and if that's not enough, according to the trailer, Whitney wants to start her own #MomTok. It looks like we're in for another bonkers season!

If the trailer wasn't enough to hold you over, SLOMW closed out the season 2 reunion special with a sneak peek of season 3, which you can watch now on Hulu. The clip begins with a celebratory mood, including a glimpse at a girls's trip, Jen reuniting with the women at an event, and Mayci briefly cheering, "#MomTok survived!" We also see both Jen and Layla question the sky-high standards of Mormon culture and the church, before Taylor (finally) tells her mom to stop sticking up for Dakota so much.

Then we dive back into the Jessi-Demi-Marciano drama, which takes a surprising turn. We see Jessi confronting Marciano and asking him, "Why did you lie to Layla about us?" We then hear him say that he was being influenced; when someone asks, "Influenced by who?" the edit shows Demi. One of the women (either Jessi or Demi) and a man even strap in for a lie detector test.

The clip ends with flashes of several fights among the women (including Whitney threatening to make her own #MomTok?), before Taylor says, via voiceover, "MomTok is sisterhood. We're going to get through anything."

For the past 15 years, you’d be hard-pressed to find a time when Christine Baranski was not starring in a beloved TV show. Leapfrogging from legal drama The Good Wife to its spinoff The Good Fight to the dishy HBO period series The Gilded Age, the Emmy and Tony-winning actress has become the go-to name when it comes to finding someone to play a well-heeled, side-eying, champagne-sipping woman who takes no shit.

This spring, she excels at not one but two of those roles: Victoria, a self-described “neglectful but also smothering” mother with a secret on the shroomed-out second season of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers; and Agnes, the uppity matriarch desperate to maintain her social standing on the third season of The Gilded Age, premiering June 22. “Strong women, women with a certain kind of flamboyance or a certain kind of wit—I’ve been playing characters like this since I left Juilliard,” Baranski tells Marie Claire over Zoom from her New York home. “It must be the raw material that is me,” she adds with her signature cheek.

The characters are wildly different (Victoria upends social norms by inviting her much younger lover, Matteo, to crash her mother-daughter trip while Agnes is more concerned with whether the staff at her Manhattan mansion will take orders from her instead of her newly wealthy sister). But it’s easy to see why Baranski is so perfectly cast in both shows. Breaking out in theater, then the ‘90s sitcom Cybil before landing scene-stealing roles in films like The Birdcage, Cruel Intentions, and Mamma Mia!, Baranski brings a sense of regality and knowing cleverness to characters both icy and zany.

In Nine Perfect Strangers, Baranski’s Victoria could be written off as cruel when she clashes with daughter Imogen (Annie Murphy) at Zauberwald, the mysterious resort where Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman) engages in experimental psilocybin treatments. But as the season progresses, Victoria reveals to Imogen that she has early-onset ALS and she may only have a few months to live. What results is a touching reconciliation that hinges on Baranski’s grounded, tender performance.

“I don't think I'd be very good at being the long-suffering mom, or the victim, or the fragile one that's having trouble coping,” Baranski says of the roles she’s offered. “I love the fact that I've had a career playing these kind of ladies, because I think audiences love to see this a woman who's her own person, who doesn't suffer fools, who is highly opinionated, who makes mistakes, but still, as Elizabeth Taylor would say, puts on her lipstick, and pours herself a drink, and moves on. Great clothes, funny lines. I mean, what's wrong with that?”

Ahead, Baranski breaks down her unlikely friendship with co-star King Princess, what’s next on this season of The Gilded Age, and her dedication to mentoring actors both on-screen and off.

Marie Claire: What attracted you to Nine Perfect Strangers?

Christine Baranski: We filmed in Munich and the Alps. It will go down as one of my favorite experiences, in terms of location, because I'm a music and opera lover, and I love to study European history. It was like a year abroad, where you just inhale culture.

I knew Nicole was reprising her role and then I heard the list of the actors they were talking to. They were just marvelous actors. I got a little hint of what the character was and I thought she was interesting because of her predicament. Playing a mother-daughter relationship is always a rich experience. Having raised two daughters, that was something, like, "Oh, well, I have some life experience with the complicated psychology of a mother-daughter relationship." But I also thought it would be very interesting to explore the psychology of a woman who knows she's dying. ALS is a terrible, terrible disease. She's hiding that, walking with a cane, pretending that she had a little accident. She comes in all dolled up but, in fact, she's quite frail.

MC: You mentioned your “marvelous” colleagues. Any memories together from your time abroad?

CB: One magical evening we were in this little town of Hallstatt [Austria], and the hotel was directly on this lake. It was out of a storybook, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and this crystalline lake. I had arranged for a little champagne twilight cocktail party. We set out some chairs and a table, and as the sun was shining and the darkness was descending, I had this beautiful Ennio Morricone music. We opened several bottles of champagne, and it was just simply magical.

MC: An article about you from a few years ago said you were known to throw incredible parties where people might end up naked in a lake.

CB: I didn't orchestrate it, but believe it or not, many of my colleagues did jump in naked, not by my prompting. I'm all in favor of doing that sort of thing, because I do have a house on a lake in Connecticut, and I have had many famous people enjoying themselves on my dock. But I did not. I went up to my waist. I was afraid of catching a deep chill and a cold.

MC: In episode 6, we learn about Victoria’s illness. Why did she want to keep this secret from Imogen?

CB: From the first time Imogen lays eyes on her mother, you can understand that relationship. There's estrangement there, there's anger, there's resentment. [Victoria’s] hope is that she’ll show up and have a rapprochement with her daughter. She’s not very clear about what all of these drug protocols are and all, given her physical state. I'm sure Victoria feels she does not want to take anything or do anything. She's hoping, at best, that this is a lovely spa experience with her daughter, and it won't take a long time to have that lovely conversation. But it's complicated because she shows up with a much younger man in tow, and that just ignites Imogen.

It's a very big thing to reveal to your child that you have a life-threatening disease. It's a bit of a death sentence. You only have a certain number of weeks, months, maybe years. It's not the kind of thing you tell somebody on the phone or email. She needs to see Imogen in person. For all the anger and Imogen's seeming independence, she has needed a lot of help. She's a girl who's gone through a lot of different graduate courses and has yet to really find herself. She is turning 35, and there's still a lot of fragility in Imogen.

MC: Why do you think she ultimately does go on the psychedelic trip with her?

CB: Because she is very fearful of her doing that alone. [Victoria] agrees to take that leap with her so that at least she can say to her that she did it too. When she decides that she really wants to take this deep dive into her traumatic past, Victoria makes that journey with her.

MC: What was your relationship like with Annie Murphy while on set?

CB: She pops off the screen with those deep brown eyes, and her vivacity. She's such a vibrant human being. Of course, we hit it off.

When you play a mother-child relationship or a husband-wife, you're trying to create years and years and years of how people communicate with each other. Two people falling in love, well, that's easy because you're just discovering. But if Imogen's 35, there’s a lot of baggage, a lot of wounds, a lot of memories. It was wonderful that we were in Munich, because we devoted a lot of time to hanging out. All of us had time to marinate as a cast.

MC: With all of the conversation about and portrayals of psychedelics, did any of you do mushrooms together?

CB: I'm not going to out anybody. I was given something at a party, and I think it was mushrooms, but I had to go back to my hotel. I had a little bit and I just felt wonderful. Everyone said, "Were you okay?" I said, "Oh, I was so happy. I felt like I loved everybody." They said, "Oh, okay, you had a good one." But drugs have never been my thing. When I played Diane Lockhart [on The Good Wife and The Good Fight], she dabbled in psilocybin and ketamine. I certainly didn't do ketamine. I would be a little nervous about trying stuff like this. But what happens in Munich stays in Munich.

MC: One of the narratives that's come out of this filming experience has been your friendship with your co-star King Princess. You don't see that many examples of true intergenerational friendship.

CB: I agree. She’s, without a doubt, one of the smartest humans. I'm stunned that she's only 25. We went out to dinner together, and as we were just having a martini at the bar, we started talking about her Nana. I started talking about my grandmother. It was like we had a shared human experience of having a deeply loving relationship with our grandmothers. That was it. From then on, we've kept in touch. That's a life that I would like to be a part of, have a little mentoring thing going.

It's not like she asks for my advice, but I think she finds it cool to know someone with that much experience in the theater. She was very open with everybody. She wanted to learn. She was humble. It was her first experience [as an actor] and I wouldn't have known that she didn't have any film experience because she was so easy in front of a camera. Stay tuned. It'll be more of the two of us doing stuff together.

MC: You have this illustrious career, but you've also talked about how you love learning from people who don't have as much experience. Do you still find that you're learning when you go to set?

CB: My God, yes. I was certainly the oldest person on the set of Nine Perfect Strangers, but I'm intrigued by what's going on in the culture. Much of it baffles me, but I feel like, why not learn from my fellow actors, especially the ones who are in their 20s and 30s? They are experiencing life in a way that is way different from how I grew up. We had one television set in the house. There were no iPhones, there was no internet. We’re talking about generations that are learning about life on their screens. I want to know what they're singing about. I want to know what they're concerned about. I want to know what their passions are. And KP is about as savvy and in the game as you can get. She's a great source to me. But I can also help her and say, "You know, have faith in time.” I didn't even become famous in that weird, ubiquitous TV way until my forties. Young people feel a great need to make things happen quickly, because their youth is a commodity now.

I want to encourage faith in time, having faith that things will unfold. If you're a person of talent, and commitment and passion, and if you do your training, that will pay off. Just don't expect instant payoffs. That's our culture, we want everything to be just like, boom.

MC: I think that's really reassuring to hear.

CB: I have a lot to learn from my young actors. Of course, on The Gilded Age, I have so many wonderful young colleagues. I adore them all. They're just all so attractive.

MC: You have a very fun dynamic with Louisa Jacobson, who plays your niece on the show.

CB: I'm friends with Meryl [Streep, Jacobson’s mother], so I said, "Your daughter's intimidated by me, but I'm just being the character." I don't think she is anymore, but that was when she first started.

MC: The third season of The Gilded Age wasn't necessarily guaranteed, especially with the writer's strike. Once you learned it was coming back, what were your hopes for Agnes' storyline?

CB: At the end of season 2, I lose all my money. Then in the very last episode, my sister's husband dies suddenly and she finds out she's inherited a fortune. In fact, we are not going to be paupers. We don't have to sell the house. The caveat is my sister's now in charge. It's not great news for Agnes, but it is great news for Christine as an actress, because I get to play a character who was so fixed in her ways, had such a strong sense of identity about her own place in the world, her place in the home, her stature in society, and it's completely upended.

She's watching her sister suddenly get more and more confident about running the household. It lends itself to a lot of funny moments with Cynthia [Nixon, who plays Agnes’ sister]. That's a strong point in the show, the comedic aspects of that sister relationship. Everybody who's a sibling recognizes top dog, underdog. Now she's the top dog and I'm the underdog, and I'm thoroughly grumpy about it, especially when she supports causes like temperance. Please. You are not going to tell Agnes she can't have wine at dinner. But in The Gilded Age, whoever holds the purse strings has the power.

MC: I interviewed Carrie Coon, who also stars on The Gilded Age, a few months ago about The White Lotus and we talked about how difficult it was for her to go back and forth between the set in Thailand and home as a working mother. You did the same thing when you were filming Cybil, commuting from the set in L.A. to your home in Connecticut, where your children lived. Did you and Carrie ever talk about that? Do you talk to working mothers now who are actors, about what's changed, what hasn't changed?

CB: I do. I make a point. When I worked with Audra McDonald on The Good Fight, I would check in with her, and I'd say, "Hey, I did this. This is so hard. It's so hard on a marriage, when you are the one who has a career in the ascendancy, and you're the one making the money.” There's this feeling of needing to downshift in the relationship so that you try to keep things on an even keel, to say nothing of leaving your children. There are no shortcuts. There's no easy way to do this.

Carrie actually did email me, and she said, "I've been offered The White Lotus, and I'm so torn. I can't not do White Lotus, but do I take my children? Do I leave them behind?" I said, "I left my kids in the care of my husband and my nanny because I thought it would be too disruptive to their lives, changing schools, changing friends." I said, "If you have good caregivers, your kids will probably be okay. Then just have it in your contract that you can get home."

Even while she was there, I wrote to her a few times to say, "How are you doing, pal?" As someone who walked that walk, had kids, held a marriage together, and managed to raise my kids, I want to help other women, at least to say, "I see what you're going through."

I went into therapy because I was so torn about working and leaving my kids. I felt so guilty about it. I felt if anything bad happened to my children, it would be my fault. Or if things didn't turn out well with my kids, it would be my fault. There is a terrible feeling of responsibility and guilt that women have. If you're a working actress with kids, I do think it's nice to know that other women have walked that walk, that it's not easy, but it'll be okay.

MC: Would you ever be interested in going back to the theater?

CB: I am currently in discussion for something, and it seems like it will happen. It is a play. It would be in London, and I've always wanted to work on the West End. I'm loath to say anything about it because it is not fait accompli, but it is an absolutely delicious role that has been played by some of the great actresses. It's a comedy. I get excited thinking about it. I'm overdue. I haven't done a run of a play since I worked with Mark Rylance on Boeing-Boeing, and that was 2007.

Now we are waiting to hear if The Gilded Age will be renewed. They don't want to make a decision until several episodes air so we're all sort of hanging. I couldn't commit to doing a play this autumn, because I thought, "Well, what if Gilded Age gets picked up? I want to be available for that." My television career definitely has been a happy roadblock to my doing theater, but there is a chance that I could make it work, and it would be great fun.

#MomTok fans, assemble—The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives is officially coming back sooner than expected. While Hulu hasn't revealed when the second half of season 2 will arrive after the first batch of episodes dropped on May 15, the streamer has answered SLOMW fans's prayers for a reunion following that bombshell finale.

On June 5, the streamer announced that the women of #MomTok will reunite "to uncover secrets and scandals, never-before-seen footage, and a surprise announcement" in the show's first-ever reunion special.

Below, read on for everything to know ahead of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion, including when the special will hit streaming, and which of the show's stars will not be in attendance.

When will the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' reunion air?

Hulu has confirmed that The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives: Reunion Special will be released on July 1, 2025. The streamer did not specify a specific time for the drop, so the episode will likely arrive on the platform at midnight ET/9 p.m. PT.

Who will host the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' reunion?

In a bit of ABC/Hulu synergy, author and podcaster Nick Viall will host the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion. As reality TV megafans know, the former Bachelor's podcast "The Viall Files" has become a must-visit stop on most reality star press tours following a new season. In fact, all of #MomTok women except Whitney have appeared on the pod so far during the show's run.

Who will attend the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' reunion?

The SLOMW reunion has already been filmed, with pre-release pictures showing who joined the special taping. According to the pics, Taylor Frankie Paul, Jen Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Whitney Leavitt, Mayci Neeley, Mikayla Matthews, Layla Taylor, and Miranda McWhorter were all present for the reunion.

Also, several of the #MomTok husbands/baby daddies—stop trying to make #DadTok happen, it's not going to happen—joined their partners in the special, including Zac Affleck, Dakota Mortensen, Conner Leavitt, Jordan Ngatikaura, Jace Terry, and Jacob Neeley.

One cast member who is notably absent from the reunion photos is Demi Engemann, who emerged as season 2's villain after her attempted #MomTok coup against Taylor. Though Demi and her husband Brett made several press appearances around season 2, she appears to be on the outs with all of the #MomTok women except Whitney.

However, even though Demi isn't included in the pre-release pics, there's still a chance that she could make an abridged reunion appearance to tell her side of the story. (Think Jackie zooming in to the Love Is Blind season 4 reunion rather than attending in person.)

When was 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' reunion filmed?

The upcoming Secret Lives of Mormon Wives reunion has plenty of unresolved season 2 drama to parse through, from the relationship statuses of Jen and Zac and Taylor and Dakota, to the Demi-Marciano-Jessi reveal that capped off the season finale. One big question ahead of the special is how much the reunion will actually discuss, considering that more regular episodes of SLOMW are already on the way. Will the reunion pick up where the season 2 finale left off? Or will they talk around anything that could be revealed in future episodes?

It may help to analyze SLOMW's complicated filming timeline to guess where the reunion possibly falls. Season 2's first 10 episodes were filmed between October and December 2024, before they were released five months later in May. According to The Hollywood Reporter, new episodes began filming sometime in the new year, and production was ongoing as of season 2's premiere. On the same day as the reunion announcement, Whitney revealed in a Decider interview that the show has wrapped filming, and teased that "a lot of questions will be answered" in the next 10 episodes, which still do not have a release date.

As for the reunion, eagle-eyed Redditors have theorized that the reunion special could have been filmed around late April, based on the women's nails. If the upcoming reunion is intended to keep fans firmly on the drama rollercoaster between seasons, then that potential timeline would be perfect, as the ladies would be reacting to season 2 in a vacuum, before wider audiences got a chance to chime in. Fans will have to wait for the regular season to see them react to the general public's reaction, and the hype train will keep on chugging. With this in mind, I'm expecting that the biggest question the reunion will answer to be when to expect the next batch of episodes.

Is there a trailer for 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' season 2 reunion?

The official teaser for the Mormon Wives reunion has arrived, and #MomTok is coming with the receipts. The 30-second clip released on June 23 begins with host Nick Viall asking Jessi point-blank, "Did you have sex with Marciano?"

Rather than hearing Jessi's response, we get flashes of the rest of the wives (and their husbands) accusing each other of betraying trust. The teaser ends with Jen accusing Demi of skipping the reunion because she knew that Jen was going to confront her about whatever happened in Italy. As Jessi promises, the wives appear to be "exposing it all."

In late May 2025, FX debuted Adults, the best 20-something TV comedy since the era of Girls and Broad City. The coming-of-age series created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw follows a group of longtime friends who live together in Samir's (Malik Elassal) parents' home in Queens, New York. As with all the best of these comedies, this foursome, which turns into a fivesome with the addition of fan favorite himbo Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), are ride-or-die besties helping each other through the challenges of early adulthood, from health scares and dry spells to botched job interviews and disastrous dinner parties. (Some of the scenes get a little too real if you also low-key fear sorting through the mail pile.)

To embody the diverse, flailing friend group, FX brought together a group of talented newcomers from the worlds of sketch comedy, standup, and TikTok. (Odds are you'll recognize at least one of the stars from your own feed.) Below, read on to meet your new parasocial besties, the cast of Adults.

Malik Elassal as Samir

Samir could be considered the leader of the friend group, in the sense that they're all staying in his childhood home rent-free while his parents are RV-ing across the country. Samir is well-meaning and extremely loyal, but he has a habit of anxious overthinking, which gets in the way of his job hunt.

Malik Elassal, 29, is a Lebanese-Canadian actor and stand-up comedian who was featured on Vulture's annual The Comedians You Should and Will Know list in 2024. Before Adults, he had small roles on the TV series Joe Pickett and Resident Alien.

Lucy Freyer as Billie

Billie is an aspiring journalist who has been friends with Samir since high school and has her life somewhat together, compared to the rest of the group. She's a passionate hustler who's dedicated to her work, but she faces a crisis of confidence when she finds herself unemployed for the first time in her life.

Lucy Freyer, 29, is an Australian Juilliard grad who won a Theatre World Award in 2023 for her performance in the Off-Broadway play The Wanderers. She also starred alongside Owen Wilson in the 2023 indie movie Paint.

Amita Rao as Issa

Issa is a loud bundle of energy and the most outwardly chaotic of the main characters. She bounces around, taking odd jobs—most recently as a dance teacher—and following her passions. Currently, she's determined to bring her hookup, Paul Baker, into the group.

Amita Rao, 26, got her start in improv comedy and trained at The Second City theater in Chicago. 2025 is her breakout year, with her starring role in Adults as well as a supporting role as Nandika in Hulu's Deli Boys.

Owen Thiele as Anton

Anton met Samir when they were college roommates, and he's now the only member of the house with a real job (though he isn't entirely sure what it is). He has trouble with boundaries and can make friends with literally anyone, which can occasionally get him into trouble.

Owen Thiele, 28, grew up in L.A. and first rose to fame via his appearances on Hailey Bieber and Emma Chamberlain's YouTube channels, as well as starring in the Taylor Swift music video "The Man." His TV and film credits include roles on I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, Hacks, Dollface, and Theater Camp, as well as the 2025 college comedy Overcompensating. He's currently developing his own comedy series with Amazon and hosts the podcast "In Your Dreams" on Alex Cooper's Unwell Network.

Jack Innanen as Paul Baker

After Issa introduces Paul Baker (always addressed by both names) to her friends, the entire group quickly falls in love with the sexually fluid Canadian who has "golden retriever energy." Hopefully, the foursome can keep him.

Adults is Jack Innanen's first major TV role, following a supporting role in the Crave comedy The Office Movers. Like his TV counterpart, the 26-year-old actor also moved from Canada to N.Y.C. in his twenties. Before Adults, he was best known as a content creator; his comedy TikToks have earned him over 3 million followers.

Charlie Cox as Mr. Teacher

Charlie Cox has a scene-stealing guest role as Mr. Teacher, Billie and Samir's high school teacher, who reunites with his old student Billie. The 42-year-old Brit is best known for playing Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the recent Disney+ series Daredevil: Born Again. He has also starred in the films Stardust and The Theory of Everything, as well as HBO's Boardwalk Empire.

Julia Fox as Herself

Julia Fox, 35, also makes a quick cameo as herself, attending a dinner party as a friend of Paul Baker's. The actress, model, author, and media personality made her film debut in 2019's Uncut Gems; she's since appeared in the thriller movies No Sudden Move and Presence, as well as the HBO show Fantasmas. Fox also wrote and directed the short film Fantasy Girls.

2025 is the year that medical shows flew to the top of every TV fanatic's watchlist. The medical drama has been a staple genre since the early days, with legendary classic TV shows bringing in hundreds of millions of viewers with their well-worn yet effective tropes. In recent years, several new series have revived the genre as a pop culture phenomenon with their refreshing takes on the everyday highs and lows (including global staffing and funding issues) that health care workers live through today.

Whether you're a longtime fan looking for your next re-watch or a Pitt-pilled newbie to the genre, we've compiled the best medical dramas, comedies, and miniseries, from the feel-good comfort watches to the emotional rollercoasters. Below, read on for our curated list of the best medical shows ever.

'Berlin ER' (2025– )

International TV offers a wealth of shows for viewers willing to overcome the one-inch barrier of subtitles, and the U.S. isn't the only country making great medical shows. Premiered during the medical-drama boom of early 2025, this German-language series has been likened to The Pitt for its no-holds-barred look at the pressures facing an under-resourced staff in an overcrowded hospital. (It may even be more anxiety-inducing than its peer, so fair warning.) When Dr. Suzanna Parker (Dear Child's Haley Louise Jones) is hired as the head of emergency medicine at KRANK, the "worst hospital in Berlin," she quickly learns just how massive a challenge she's facing.

WATCH ON APPLE TV+

'Call the Midwife' (2012– )

This long-running British period drama follows the women of Nonnatus House, a convent in a poor East London neighborhood where nurse midwives provide health care to the community. Starting in 1957, each season features diseases and issues ranging from tuberculosis, polio, and typhoid, to abortion, interracial marriage, and the invention of the contraceptive pill. While it doesn't shy away from the heavy realities of childbirth, the young midwives's friendships and love lives help Call the Midwife retain a comfort-show feel.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'ER' (1994–2009)

Of the early shows that led to the medical drama becoming a TV staple—from City Hospital to M*A*S*H to St. Elsewhere—ER stands apart. In addition to launching the careers of stars like George Clooney and Noah Wyle, ER raised the bar for dramatic storytelling and pacing, blowing the minds of the 1994 TV audience when they were introduced to the emergency room doctors at Chicago’s County General. Sure, the social issues they faced are now a bit dated, but if you're a medical-show fan who hasn't watched, the 300+ episodes will likely still blow you away.

WATCH ON HBO MAX

'Grey's Anatomy' (2005– )

Oh, where would TV be without Grey's? For 20 years, Shonda Rhimes's landmark series set at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital has become a Thursday night staple, dominated "best TV couples" rankings, and inspired a generation of fans to enter the medical profession themselves. From the original cohort with Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Cristina (Sandra Oh), and McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey), to recent favorites like Carina (Stefania Spampinato) and Taryn (Jaicy Elliot), there's a new favorite TV doctor for everyone among the show's 21 (and counting) seasons.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'Hart of Dixie' (2011–2015)

Hear us out: It wouldn't be right not to include the city-doctor-moves-to-small-town subgenre on this list, and Hart of Dixie is the type of soapy-yet-lighthearted comfort show that deserves a slot. (It narrowly edged out Virgin River.) N.Y.C. doctor Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) learns that her late biological father was a general practitioner in the rural town of Bluebell, Alabama. When she moves there to take over the practice, she must adjust to both her new home and her dad's former business partner, Brick Breeland (Tim Matheson). Of course, there's also a dash of rom-com in the love triangle between Zoe and locals Wade (Wilson Bethel) and George (Scott Porter).

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO

'Hospital Playlist' (2020–2021)

One of the most beloved K-dramas of the past five years, this series centers on the doctors, patients, and staff at the fictional Yulje Medical Center, a Seoul university hospital. Five doctors who met during medical school are now best friends working across different departments, and come together at night to rehearse for their band. If you fall in love with the charming cast, don't worry—the spinoff Resident Playbook is full of cameos, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that a Hospital Playlist season 3 is on the horizon.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'House' (2004–2012)

Most of the shows mentioned so far in this list have been heartwarming at their core; Dr. Gregory House would probably hate them. This is a pure procedural, with the titular doctor (played by Hugh Laurie) and his colleague James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) spending each episode diagnosing mind-bending afflictions (which are never lupus). The antisocial curmudgeon Dr. House is a legendary TV character, and watching the show get to the truth of him throughout the show's early seasons is a fascinating watch.

WATCH ON HULU

'Lenox Hill' (2020)

While scripted medical shows are filled with fictional versions of the everyday heroes in the healthcare industry, this Netflix docuseries spotlights four real-life doctors. Filmed in the titular N.Y.C. hospital over several months, the series was lauded for covering a wide scope of personal issues affecting medical professionals, from the immense emotional toll and stakes of their work, to the dearth of physicians of color, to the experience of delivering babies while carrying their own. Lenox Hill even ends with a special episode covering the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

'M*A*S*H' (1972–1983)

M*A*S*H is one of the most well-known classic TV shows; 105.97 million people watched the series finale, which is the most-watched scripted TV episode in history. Based on the 1970 film of the same name, the Korean War dramedy centers on the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital staff, as they treat their fellow soldiers and struggle against the strict military bureaucracy. Though it shows its age at times, M*A*S*H is an essential watch for TV historians.

WATCH ON HULU

'New Amsterdam' (2018–2023)

If you didn't catch New Amsterdam during its Netflix boost in 2023, it's never too late to watch one of the most popular medical shows in recent years. Set at the New Amsterdam Medical Center and based on N.Y.C.'s oldest hospital, Bellevue, the warm-hearted series follows idealistic medical director Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) as he sets out to transform the hospital into one that puts patients before bureaucracy. (A common theme, if you haven't noticed, but Eggold sells it particularly well.)

WATCH ON PEACOCK

'Nurse Jackie' (2009–2015)

Several medical dramas have depicted health providers struggling with addiction, but these tend to be supporting characters. On this Showtime hit, Edie Falco plays Jackie Peyton, who does excellent work in an N.Y.C. emergency department, while also going in and out of rehab for her pill addiction. Falco and Merritt Wever both won Emmys for their performances as mentor Jackie and mentee Zoey, whose complicated relationship was a highlight of the series.

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO

'The Pitt'

If you've made it to May 2025 without watching The Pitt, you're doing yourself a disservice. The series from star, writer, and executive producer Noah Wyle is another fast-paced series set in a beleaguered emergency department, but it grabs your attention by skewing away from all the well-worn tropes of contemporary medical dramas (much like another series did in its heyday). The illnesses, injuries, and treatments are mundane and hyper-realistic; the social issues the staff addresses are nationwide concerns; and every character is fleshed out and feels like a real person from the moment they step into the room (shoutout to the night staff). There's a reason every TV fanatic you know literally cannot wait for The Pitt season 2.

WATCH ON MAX

'Scrubs' (2001–2010)

This medical comedy from Shrinking creator Bill Lawrence is one of the most beloved comedies in TV history; think Grey's Anatomy, but tone down the soapy drama and turn up the goofball humor. (Fans miss it so much that a reboot is on the horizon.) Set at Sacred Heart Hospital, the workplace sitcom is powered by its charming ensemble, from medical intern J.D. (Zach Braff) and surgeon Turk's (Donald Faison) iconic friendship to chief resident Cox (John C. McGinley) and nurse Carla (Judy Reyes).

WATCH ON HULU

'St. Denis Medical' (2024– )

Fans of mockumentary comedies like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Abbott Elementary have a new series to add to their watchlists. This feel-good series follows the eclectic staff of an underfunded Oregon emergency department as they try to stay sane while doing their jobs. This show handles the woes of the healthcare system with a good mix of absurd, silly, and downright dark humor, featuring great characters, from clear-headed head nurse Alex (Allison Tolman) to know-it-all Dr. Ron (David Alan Grier) to ambitious administrator Joyce (Wendi McLendon-Covey).

WATCH ON PEACOCK

'This Is Going to Hurt' (2022)

This underrated gem gives an up-close look at the provider side of the U.K.'s National Health Service, based on creator Adam Kay's searing memoir about his time as a junior doctor. The seven-episode miniseries is set in an understaffed and underfunded OB-GYN unit in London, where the fictional doctor Adam Kay (Ben Whishaw) trains new hire Shruti (One Day's Ambika Mod) through exhausting shifts. The BAFTA-winning series doesn't pull any punches in showing how the strenuous work affects both Adam's mental health and his relationships outside of the hospital; by the end, viewers are left reckoning with a vocation that helps so many yet demands so much.

WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO

'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call' (2025– )

If you've ever wanted your medical show to have the same feel as an action movie, watch this K-drama. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call centers on Baek Kang-hyuk (Ju Ji-hoon), a genius surgeon and former combat medic hired to revamp a Seoul hospital's trauma center. When he's not jumping out of a helicopter or saving a patient's life, he's butting heads with hospital administration and mentoring his new fellow Yang Jae-won (Choo Young-woo) through a trial by fire. Like many genre-bending K-dramas, Trauma Code skillfully balances thrilling scenes, laugh-out-loud comedy, and doses of emotional drama; fingers crossed it gets a second season.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

The worlds that author Liane Moriarty weaves are so ripe for television that networks and streamers have a habit of extending adaptations of her work from limited series to ongoing ones. HBO did it with Big Little Lies, and now Hulu is also following suit. On May 21, Nine Perfect Strangers returns for a second season, somewhat in the form of an anthology, with only Nicole Kidman reprising her role as Masha Dmitrichenko.

The first season of the Hulu series was set at a California wellness retreat gone wrong, when the nine guests uncover secrets about themselves and the mastermind resort director played by Kidman, including the fact that they’re all being nonconsensually microdosed with a psychoactive drug. In season 2, Masha takes her tactics to a fresh, snowy locale where she meets a new set of characters. Ahead, learn more about the Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 cast, including the nine new guests checking into the Austrian Alps Zauberwald resort.

Nicole Kidman as Masha Dmitrichenko

Nicole Kidman’s Masha, the Russian wellness retreat owner who secretly microdoses her guests, is the only returning character to the series. As revealed by the end of season 1, she was microdosing her patients to test if she could see her late daughter Tatiana, who died in a car crash at age 7, by using psychedelics.

Kidman, 57, is one of the most prolific Hollywood actresses alive. She’s been nominated for five Oscars, winning one for The Hours, and three Emmy Awards, winning two for Big Little Lies. After breaking onto the scene via films like Moulin Rouge!, Eyes Wide Shut, and Batman Forever, she’s more recently become a TV darling with vehicles like The Perfect Couple, Expats, and Special Ops: Lioness. Often dubbed the hardest-working woman in showbiz, Kidman has also become a cultural phenomenon for her beloved AMC Theatres commercial.

Murray Bartlett as Brian

Brian is a guest at the resort, hoping to outrun a public scandal involving his job as a former children’s TV host. Bartlett called the role “an actor’s dream” at the show’s premiere.

Australian actor Murray Bartlett’s career in Hollywood began in the early 2000s, but he became a household name for his role in the first season of The White Lotus in 2021. His performance as hotel manager Armond earned him an Emmy. Bartlett, 54, followed that up with a guest appearance opposite Nick Offerman on The Last of Us in a critically acclaimed episode that gained him another Emmy nomination. He has also appeared on shows like Sex and the City, and in leading roles on Looking, HBO’s hit 2010s LGBTQ+ drama, Welcome to Chippendales, and Physical.

Christine Baranski as Victoria

Christine Baranski’s Victoria is a wealthy woman who arrives at the resort with her younger lover (Aras Aydin) and estranged daughter (Annie Murphy).