Stephanie Hsu leads Peacock's new romantic comedy series "Laid" with charm and wit as Ruby, a 33-year-old party planner whose love life takes an unexpectedly dark turn when she discovers her past sexual partners are mysteriously dying in chronological order.
The series, which premiered Thursday on Peacock, puts a supernatural spin on modern dating culture. Ruby, who has been navigating the choppy waters of casual relationships with limited success, finds herself at the center of an inexplicable phenomenon that forces her to confront her past choices and current attitudes.
Developed by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna, "Laid" is based on an Australian series of the same name. The American adaptation expands on its source material, diving deeper into character motivations while maintaining the original's quirky premise.
The show's strength lies in its sharp, witty dialogue and standout performances. Hsu's chemistry with the supporting cast, particularly Zosia Mamet as her roommate AJ and Michael Angarano as "bar trivia guy" Richie, adds depth to the supernatural rom-com elements. The series cleverly plays with romantic comedy tropes while carving its own unique path.
As Ruby pursues a potential romance with the seemingly perfect Isaac (Tommy Martinez) while dealing with her deadly predicament, the show balances humor with genuine character development. The mystery of Ruby's "curse" drives the narrative forward, though some viewers may find the lack of concrete explanations challenging.
The eight-episode first season, available for binge-watching, leaves the door open for future storylines while delivering plenty of laughs and memorable moments. Despite occasional narrative frustrations, "Laid" succeeds as an entertaining and fresh take on the romantic comedy genre, anchored by Hsu's magnetic performance.
Through clever writing and strong performances, "Laid" manages to blend supernatural elements, comedy, and romance into an engaging series that both embraces and subverts genre expectations.