On March 4th, 2025, the Hulu series “Paradise” concluded its first season with eight episodes. The show combined near-future apocalyptic science fiction with traditional political thriller elements, making it an engaging mystery full of twists and charged performances that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Averaging 83% on Rotten Tomatoes, the program was well-received and has been renewed for a second season.
The series follows Special Agent Xavier Collins, who is among the 25,000 hand-picked individuals living in an underground city after a global catastrophe made the surface of the Earth seemingly uninhabitable. After he grossly ignores security protocol and, consequently, lands himself as the prime suspect in the death of President Cal Bradford, he investigates the murder, uncovering twists that reveal a hidden doomsday event and larger conspiracy.
Alongside hurried investigations into the president’s murder, viewers follow the relationship between Collins and Bradford, including when Collins was first selected for the Secret Service detail, their chaotic departure from the White House, and final argument just hours before Bradford’s death.
As he dives deeper into this conspiracy, he becomes acquainted with the likes of Sinatra, who appears to be in charge of the bunker and its inhabitants. He also meets Dr. Gabriela Torabi, advisor to Sinatra and responsible for bunker selection, and Billy Page, a sharpshooter who has found a family in the midst of crisis. As the mystery unfolds, Collins is forced to choose between his family and responsibility to his community.
Each episode serves as a sort of character study, mirroring the structure of many who-done-it’s, and preventing any sort of plot stagnation.
Beyond the immediate challenges facing Collins, the series does well with discussing relevant ethical issues to both the characters and ourselves including, but not limited to, climate change, wealth distribution, the responsibility of news agencies, worker’s rights violations, and complex family dynamics.
While the overall premise of the show is certainly far-fetched, creator, Dan Folgelman (also known for “This is Us”), commented in an interview: “There are other things that lay dormant and eventually not dormant at the bottom of this show that are going on in the world.”
Typically, dystopian fiction focuses on the post-apocalyptic, but this storyline breaks from that cliche by showing the time immediately before catastrophe strikes and how characters feel seemingly helpless in preventing it. Especially in episodes showing the heartbreaking moments when those selected to live in the bunker separated themselves from their colleagues, friends, and family, we were forced to consider how everyday, good people can lose sight of moral responsibility when confronted with pressing circumstances.
In the midst of heavy topics, the show added some levity by including a budding romance between Jeremy (Bradford’s son) and Presley (Collin’s daughter). Additionally, the soundtrack was blessed with many nostalgic 80s and early 90s hits, such as “We Built This City,” “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” “Eye of the Tiger,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and “Another Day in Paradise.” I, and many other watchers, will most definitely be streaming these for the next few weeks.
Filmed primarily in Los Angeles, utilizing the Warner Bros. Studio backlot known as Midwest Street, the set appeared minimalistic at first glance, but as the show progressed, we were offered glimpses into lower bunkers of the city, scaffolding along the top of the ceiling, and just outside the city. Season two will hopefully give us more views into the outside post-apocalyptic world.
A large portion of the cast was carried over from Folgelman’s previous series “This is Us,” including the lead, Sterling Brown, who continued to deliver heartbreaking scenes that left us reaching for the tissues. Joining him in both series, Krys Marshall brought a commanding presence to her scenes reminiscent of a well-seasoned government official. Julianne Nicholson and Nicole Bloom both drew upon prior experience in “Law and Order” to show political drama, intrigue, and suspense. Perhaps the most recognizable cast member was James Marsden, who had starred in “The Notebook” and was nominated for an Emmy for his role in “Jury Duty.”
Able to blend poignant acting with an action-packed drama, Paradise successfully concluded a first season and will begin filming the second installment soon.
