You talked, and we listened. While some of you loved our list of three films that will make you feel better about your own social distancing, others were looking for something a little lighter to take their minds off of current events. We’re here for you at Casting Networks and are including below three new series that will provide some much-needed laughter while perhaps even delivering a little bit of hope. And all the actors out there can also learn from the noteworthy performances that these series showcase.
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker
This Netflix mini-series has Octavia Spencer portraying America’s first female self-made millionaire, and it’s not your average period piece. Between its modern soundtrack and fresh editing, the series keeps viewers on their toes. In the pilot, for example, you can watch the titular character practice a pitch to herself in the mirror, a scene that features quick cuts and is endearingly relatable. Keep watching to hear a new take on The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” a brilliant soundtrack choice that works with and not against the show’s early 20th century setting. And by the end of the first episode, you’ll have experienced Spencer’s beautifully-crafted character transformation from a broken woman named Sarah to a budding entrepreneur who tells her competition that she is to be addressed as “Madam.”
You’re likely to feel inspired by Self Made’s portrayal of a remarkable real-life story. As the miniseries unfolds, you can watch Walker face challenge after challenge with an indomitable spirit. The noteworthy historical figure was no stranger to financial hardship and rose to the top while battling racism and sexism. Her success story is likely to leave viewers of Self Made feeling hopeful for what can be accomplished when someone perseveres to push past extraordinary obstacles. An all-star cast that includes names like Garrett Morris, Blair Underwood, Carmen Ejogo and Tiffany Haddish delivers strong performances that seamlessly complement Spencer’s portrayal of the titular character. Haddish especially shines as Walker’s daughter Lelia and contributes to many of the comedic moments found in a show that reminds us there can be levity amidst our trials, as well as hope.
You can find the new Fox Network sitcom on Hulu and start losing yourself in the fun premise of an average couple raising their four children in South Jersey while navigating the struggles of parenting their eldest three, who happen to be bona fide geniuses. The young actors who portray their on-screen kids hold their own in such an extraordinary premise, managing to deliver grounded performances while contributing to the comedy. But Jason Biggs and Maggie Lawson as just-average parents Mike and Kay are the ones with whom you’re most likely to identify and laugh along with the most. You can enjoy watching them struggle to have “the sex talk” with a child whose IQ is higher than their own while you take notes on the basement “safe space” they’ve created for their escape from the kids. You can use Outmatched as your own personal retreat from the current state of events by immersing yourself in a world where the protagonists’ problems can be solved in 22 minutes. And you’ll experience plenty of laughter along the way as you take in the attempts of Mike and Kay to stay one step ahead of their genius offspring.
IMDb labels the series a comedy, and while it fits the genre, the show also tackles important issues. If you’re looking for something in between Self Made and Outmatched, this is the one for you. Netflix recently dropped the Gentefied’s first season, and it’s definitely a series that stands out. As you might have guessed from its title, the show addresses the effects of gentrification. It centers on three cousins who come together to help their grandfather keep his taco shop in Boyle Heights open after it suffers from a steep hike in rent. The cast list holds some relatively fresh faces that deliver their share of strong performances, but Joaquín Cosio’s take on the aging patriarch is the one that truly shines. Variety calls the veteran actor’s performance “both emotional and intensely physical,” and he pulls his weight in contributing to the show’s comedy.
You may be looking for a new series that offers moments of levity along with some hope, such as Self Made. Or you might just want one that’ll offer you a lot of laughs and a temporary escape from current events. If so, you can check out Outmatched. And if you’re looking for a series that addresses important issues within the comedy genre, Gentefied is the one for you. Regardless of your selection from our list, we hope it offers you a happy respite from any tough situation you might be dealing with.
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