If you’re looking for a TV series you can devour in a single day or across a weekend, viewers appear convinced this emotional drama is an excellent starting point – despite being packed with ‘sad’ moments.
With a celebrated young actress leading the cast and numerous prestigious award nominations to its name, it’s hardly surprising that years later, people continue championing the mini-series.
Launched in 2021, Maid is a Netflix drama inspired by Stephanie Land’s memoir, focusing on the hardships faced by a young mother.
It centres on Alex, a mother who flees an abusive relationship and battles to support her daughter while working as a maid cleaning homes. When she encounters difficulties with employment, everything falls apart as she strives for an improved life for her family amid the bureaucracy of government support.
The lead role of Alex is portrayed by Margaret Qualley, alongside Andie MacDowell, who plays her mother and is also her real-life mum. Yet in the series, their relationship is deeply troubled, as Alex’s mother displays narcissistic behaviour and suffers from severe bipolar disorder.
There are 10 episodes in total (Image: RICARDO HUBBS/NETFLIX)
Following its launch the programme attracted considerable attention, with many viewers captivated by the performances. Indeed, Qualley received nominations for both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, and it’s her portrayal that appears to stand out amongst critiques.
One viewer posted on Rotten Tomatoes: “Greatest series I have seen in years. The acting was phenomenal by all involved – with especially high praise for Margaret Qualley.
“Really outstanding work that should serve as required viewing for all. While often sad, there were glimmers of joy and hope, and the entirety of the series felt very real.
Another praised her performance, saying: “This show was an emotional watch. Every actor played their part so well and gave such compelling deliveries.
“Special mention to Margaret Qualley, she was absolutely phenomenal as Alex. She truly showed the complexities and difficulties of being a young mother, Truly in awe of her performance. “.
Beyond garnering award recognition, the programme also earned a remarkable 94% overall audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, making quite the impression for a limited series.
Spanning 10 episodes, Maid explores numerous poignant and delicate subjects that have resonated deeply with countless viewers. The brief series is situated near Seattle in the United States and highlights the challenges faced by women like Alex’s character within the country’s political frameworks.
One person said: “Maid is ESSENTIAL viewing for any woman who has been in a relationship and second-guesses her experience as she is gaslit and told she is crazy while being emotionally, psychologically, financially, sexually and coercively controlled.”
You might find yourself reaching for the tissues while watching this series, but all episodes of Maid are currently available to stream exclusively on Netflix.
