Viewers on Netflix have been captivated by a new thriller series, managing to watch it all in one night.
If you’ve scrolled through social media recently, you’ve probably noticed discussions around this show. If you haven’t started watching yet, it might be time to dive in.
As of Monday (September 29), the series climbed to the top of Netflix’s global rankings, surpassing popular titles like Alice in Borderland and Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, according to FlixPatrol.
The show originates from Canadian comedian Mae Martin, who previously enjoyed success with the ‘refreshingly funny’ Netflix series Feel Good.
This time, Mae Martin presents something different: an eight-part psychological thriller set in the quaint town of Tall Pines, Vermont.
The story centers on teenagers Abbie (Milly Alcock) and Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind), who are enrolled in the prestigious Tall Pines Academy. The school claims to aid ‘troubled’ youth, but beneath its glossy exterior lie dark secrets.
At the same time, local police officer Alex Dempsey (Martin) and his wife Laura (Erin Kellyman), a former student of the academy, begin uncovering unsettling truths about the town and its influential leader, Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette).
As Alex’s investigation merges with Abbie and Leila’s quest for liberation, the facade of Tall Pines begins to crumble, exposing the dark reality of its operations and those complicit in them.
The series, titled Wayward, premiered on Netflix on Thursday (September 25).
It has received a 75 percent score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes but only 45 percent from audiences. Despite this, viewers have been praising it online.
“Edge of your seat tension relieved by a strong dose of humour and tenderness, I recommend giving Wayward a watch,” stated one audience member on Rotten Tomatoes.
“This show is a wild ride from start to finish. A must watch!” another viewer commented.
Some expressed confusion over the low ratings, arguing that the show ‘deserved higher.’
Fans continued the conversation on Reddit, with one saying: “I was totally captivated and watched the whole thing in one evening. Wow!”
Another agreed: “Binged it all today… better than anything else I’ve seen recently.”
“Same. I don’t usually binge, and this kept my attention fully,” added a third. “The acting was great on all fronts, especially on the bittersweet elements of teens.”
Many fans are so enamored with Wayward that they are hoping for more episodes.
However, since it is a limited series, more episodes are unlikely.
In a conversation with Variety, Martin hinted: “I’ve been doing so much press and I’m so interested in people’s reactions to the ending. It seems like people have an appetite for more.”
They continued: “I think, hopefully, it works as a mini-series, but then it’s also obviously fun to imagine what would happen.”
In a discussion with Decider, Lind expressed her enthusiasm about playing Leila again.
She mentioned: “I would do it anytime, anywhere. Call me up, I’m there. I had the most incredible time ever working on this project; it was such a blessing, and I would love to come back. Whenever you want us, we’re here, we’re ready.”
Regarding ideas for another season, Lind said: “I’m gonna leave that up to Mae, the genius behind the operation. But maybe if I had any two cents to put in, it would just be, like, maybe one storyline where Leila’s happy.”
At present, Netflix has not announced any plans for a follow-up.
Wayward is currently available for streaming on Netflix.