The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives offers a rare window into the lives of women who have deviated from the paths expected of them, in a delectably binge-worthy way. Bring on season two. — Rebecca Stewart
9. Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV (Max)
Directed by Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz, Max’s four-part documentary series Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV alleged years of abuse as well as criminal behavior experienced by children and adults working on Nickelodeon shows including iCarly, and Drake and Josh.
Those who grew up in the ’90s and ’00s will largely associate the network with its zany comedy shows, lurid green slime, and Kids Choice Awards.
Through a series of gut-punching interviews with figures including former The Amanda Show writers Christy Stratton and Jenny Kilgen, and child star Drake Bell, the series presents its take on the toxic behind-the-scenes culture at odds with the on-screen frivolity and fun.
Featuring allegations of sexual assault against acting coach Brian Peck and racism on-set, the documentary also zooms in on claims of workplace bullying against former big-time Nickelodeon producer Dan Schneider (who is now pursuing a defamation lawsuit.)
Both Schneider and Nickelodeon have since issued statements about the show.
Four years on from the MeToo movement, the series raised another curtain on Hollywood. — Rebecca Stewart
8. Agatha All Along (Disney+)
OTT costumes, Tarot cards, Patti Lupone … what’s not to love about this spinoff of Marvel’s 2021 series WandaVision? The titular Agatha is woken from a spell and has to rustle up a coven to join her on a trip down a road so they can all get what their hearts’ desire. Along the way, the pacy plot, juicy twists, and general dastardly double-crossing behavior is a really fun ride, with some gorgeous set designs, an ’80s throwback episode, and a few heartfelt moments.
Do you really need more evidence that this magical show has culturally struck a chord than the fact that Taylor Swift incorporated Agatha’s anthem, The Ballad Of The Witches’ Road, into her Eras tour? Well, if so, the opening episode got 9.3 million views within the first week of streaming on Disney+, per the streamer. And fans will be keen to hear that Agatha has the best continuation rate of any Marvel series.
The show delivers on being the gayest in the Marvel universe (admittedly, not hard), but given Disney’s stance in 2022, where the company (under then-CEO Bob Chapek) dragged its feet before denouncing the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill in Florida, that’s a pretty bold place to be. In a time when a lot of TV is a prequel, sequel, retelling, or spin-off (ok, guilty), Agatha still manages to bring a fresh tone. — Lucinda Southern
7. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)
Who could’ve guessed that “Hihi” is now one of the most sinister greetings in pop culture? In Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Donald Glover’s “John” and Maya Erksine’s “Jane” essentially become spy/assassin Taskrabbits, taking instructions from a mysterious person/organization going by Hihi—all while dealing with the (many) relationship issues of their work-arranged marriage. And the series, a reimagining of the 2005 film that brought Brangelina to the American lexicon, went through almost as much drama behind the scenes as Glover and Erksine deal with on camera.
