Technology

This Twisty Sci-Fi Was One of the Most Inventive in the Genre, but Was Cancelled After 1 Season

2025-12-04 00:20
482 views
This Twisty Sci-Fi Was One of the Most Inventive in the Genre, but Was Cancelled After 1 Season

Peacock's twisty sci-fi series Mrs. Davis, starring Betty Gilpin, ended after one season, but the inventive premise had potential for much more.

This Twisty Sci-Fi Was One of the Most Inventive in the Genre, but Was Cancelled After 1 Season Jake McDorman looking off into the distance in Mrs. Davis Jake McDorman looking off into the distance in Mrs. DavisImage via Colleen Hayes / ©Peacock / Courtesy Everett Collection 4 By  Billy Fellows Published 27 minutes ago Billy is a Senior Features Author for Collider. Having written over 300 articles in just over a year, Billy regularly covers the biggest TV shows and films releasing while also analysing some of the most underrated properties that may slip your attention. Having studied for an MA in Screenwriting at UAL in 2023, Billy honed his writing skills and also developed his ability to critique the work of other creative minds. Before that, Billy studied politics at the University of Nottingham, which helped him to bring nuanced and scholarly analysis to the frameworks within which filmmakers and writers have framed their thematic messages. Sign in to your Collider account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

If there is a sci-fi show with 92% on Rotten Tomatoes from Lost and Watchmen producer Damon Lindelof, it wouldn't be a stretch to assume that this series was a massive hit. Yet, in the case of Peacock's 2023 sci-fi show, Mrs. Davis, that was sadly not the case. Despite creating a bizarre premise that saw religion and technology inhabit the same narrative (both at times at odds and other times in harmony with each other) that features Betty Gilpin in her career-best performance, this mind-blowing show only got one season, and that is far from what it deserved.

What Is the Peacock Sci-Fi Series 'Mrs. Davis' About?

From the very start, Mrs. Davis subverts expectations, with a group of nuns in the 14th Century who aren't the typical peace-loving worshipers they're normally portrayed as, but members of the Knights Templar who protect the Holy Grail and slaughter a group of armed soldiers in the second scene. Fast forwarding to the present day, things have changed. A lot. With a man saved from a desert island after being missing for 10 years, he and the audience learn the world is now ruled by artificial intelligence referred to as "Her," and later named Mrs. Davis.

Kyle Maclachlan and Sherilyn Fenn as Dale Cooper and Audrey Horne holding a coffee cup in 'Twin Peaks' Related 8 TV Shows You Have to Be a Genius to Fully Understand

Einstein's favs.

Posts 6 By  Remus Noronha Aug 9, 2025

These two seemingly opposite ideas come together when Gilpin's Simone, a nun who refuses to indulge in AI, is tasked by Mrs. Davis to seek out and destroy the Holy Grail. This leads both Simone and the audience on a wild quest that sees her trek across the globe and meet different groups, some who support AI and some who resist it. With the expansive scale of both characters, setting, and premise, Mrs. Davis maintains a whiplash pace that keeps the audience on its toes throughout its 8 episodes.

'Mrs. Davis' Examines the Invasive Nature of Artificial Intelligence

Betty Gilpin in Mrs. Davis Betty Gilpin in Mrs. DavisImage via Peacock

Mrs. Davis manages to make what looks like a similar version of our own world feel incredibly different. Despite almost all versions of technology remaining accurate to our contemporary time period, it is Mrs. Davis herself who makes the world feel alien to the viewer. With everyone believing this AI can fix everything and give them the life they desire, they all seek to please her, wearing earpieces so they can follow her orders and earn their "wings," as the show refers to them.

This leads to seemingly innocuous extras being roadblocks to Simone's goal of isolation from Mrs. Davis, as it feels like the whole world is against her, despite her having some extremely personal reasons for hating Mrs. Davis that link to the death of a parent. In doing so, we are reminded of how invasive such technology can be and how it can override the interests of those around us.

Betty Gilpin Is an Unstoppable Force in 'Mrs. Davis'

Simone wearing a nun's habit and walking amidst people in uniforms looking angry in Mrs. Davis. Simone wearing a nun's habit and walking amidst people in uniforms looking angry in Mrs. Davis.Image via Peacock

There is a need for a protagonist whom the audience can trust to guide them in such a twisty narrative, and Gilpin's Simone excels at this. Gilpin portrays the character with a raw intensity when it comes to her hatred of Mrs. Davis, while also balancing a comedic, nonchalant energy when she is talking with human characters. Impressively, none of the high stakes are lost. Even though Mrs. Davis never got a Season 2, it remains the perfect binge. Not only will you be watching an immersive, inventive sci-fi show, but you'll be watching one of the most unique ones the genre has to offer.

Mrs Davis Show Temp Poster mrs-davis-show-temp-poster.jpg 7 10

Mrs. Davis

Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Sci-Fi Release Date 2023 - 2023-00-00 Writers Tara Hernandez, Damon Lindelof, Alberto Roldan

Cast

See All
  • instar52613405.jpg Betty Gilpin
  • Cast Placeholder Image Jake McDorman

Genres Drama, Sci-Fi Powered by ScreenRant logo Expand Collapse Follow Followed Like Share Facebook X WhatsApp Threads Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Flipboard Copy link Email Close Thread Sign in to your Collider account

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.

Your comment has not been saved

Send confirmation email

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Feedback
Recommended Rebecca Romijn in Ugly Betty Nov 26, 2025

The Series That Made a 97% RT Comedy Possible Is the Underrated Streaming Binge You Need

Wesley Snipes smirking as Blade in Deadpool & Wolverine 6 days ago

Marvel Brought Back Blade Long Before 'Deadpool & Wolverine,' but No One Remembers

space above and beyond 5 days ago

Forget ‘Star Wars’ — This Cult ’90s Sci-Fi Series Is Still a Masterclass in Space Warfare

Rhea Seehorn in between two shelves full of prescription pill bottles in Pluribus Episode 4. 5 hours ago

10 Sci-Fi Shows To Watch if You Love Apple TV's 'Pluribus'

What To Watch

 Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo) posing in KPop Demon Hunters. July 20, 2025 The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now Trending Now A-Nightmare-on-Elm-Street-Rooney-Mara The 10 Worst Horror Movie Performances of All Time, Ranked 3120844_0254bc (1) Fate of 82% RT ‘Blue Bloods’ Spin-Off Decided at CBS Deku preparing an attack in My Hero Academia final season 7 Best Anime Series Coming to Crunchyroll and Netflix This December