Sterling K. Brown as Agent Xavier Collins in ParadiseImage via Hulu
By
Erin Konrad
Published 56 minutes ago
Erin Konrad's love for everything entertainment dates back to elementary school when she became obsessed with classic Hollywood musicals. When she's not catching up on all her favorite television shows, she's advising her friends and family on what they should binge watch next.
She has her Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. Creating content for Collider gives her the opportunity to combine her writing skills with her passion for television and movies. She spends her free time trying to beat her personal record of reading 126 books in a year and cuddling with her dog, Gracie.
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
We're lucky to be living in a time when there are so many incredible shows to watch on television. However, the challenging aspect is that sometimes there are shows that can slip through the cracks because we're busy watching something else. That's why it would truly be a shame if you remained in the dark about the incredible thriller that came out in January. If you somehow missed the buzz surrounding Hulu's Paradise, you can rectify that now by binge-watching it before Season 2 comes out next year.
What Is the Hulu Thriller 'Paradise' About?
Sterling K. Brown guarding the President in Paradise Episode 1Image via Hulu
Paradise is centered around Secret Service Agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown), whom we first meet as he takes a peaceful morning jog through his town. It's a gorgeous setting with perfectly manicured lawns, friendly neighbors, and the apt name of Paradise. Xavier makes breakfast for his two children, and then banters with his best friend and fellow agent, Billy Pace (Jon Beavers). But Xavier's life quickly falls apart that morning when he arrives at the home of President Cal Bradford (James Marsden) and discovers his boss in a pool of blood on the floor. As the person to find him, Xavier immediately becomes a suspect in the President's death. The series deftly plays out the narrative through flashbacks into the complicated and compelling events that led up to Cal's demise. By the end of the very first episode, the series lets viewers into a massive secret that completely changes everything you thought you knew about the show: Paradise is so much more than what meets the eye.
'Paradise' Offers Constant Twists and Turns
Paradise is one of those shows where you have to be careful when you tell someone about it, so that you don't ruin any of the many shocking moments. But basically, one of the best parts about Paradise is the way there are so many genres melded into one fantastic story. There's a bit of science fiction, lots of action sequences (where Brown gets to show off his expert fighting skills), a murder mystery, romantic connections between characters, and so much more. Paradise also manages to throw in plots about political intrigue, which offers a fascinating look at several characters' quests for power and control over Paradise.
Related
This Chilling FX Miniseries Is a Psychological Mystery Thriller Dripping With Tension From Start to Finish
It's also the perfect watch before 'Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.'
Posts 2 By Thomas Butt 3 days agoAs the eight-episode season unfolds, there are plenty of jaw-dropping twists and turns, creating a psychological thriller that makes you unsure which characters you can trust. Because there are so many secrets in Paradise and so many outrageous reveals, the series is definitely one of the most unpredictable dramas on the air right now. Just when you think you've figured out where the story is heading, you'll realize that you were completely wrong. Even though Paradise is fictional, the series also somehow manages to feel 100% realistic and timely.
Creator Dan Fogelman, who also came up with This Is Us with Brown, has crafted a series that bristles with tension in every episode. The production design feels expensive and truly depicts the world of Paradise in an intriguing way. The best part is that we get several different character perspectives and a non-linear narrative that helps to draw us even deeper into the story. Paradise is definitely not one of those shows that's so straightforward it insults your intelligence. Whether Paradise is keeping you guessing with the many surprising twists or speaking to a more haunting universal theme like trauma and grief, you'll be completely sucked into this world. By the time you reach the finale episode, you'll be praying for more episodes as quickly as possible.
'Paradise' Is Worth Watching for the Amazing Performances Alone
Julianne Nicholson as Sinatra standing in a white blouse in Paradise.Image via Hulu
The suspenseful storylines will definitely have you praising Paradise, but the performances in the series are also certainly worthy of applause. Brown is an incredible protagonist, easily matching his action skills with his ability to effectively portray vulnerability (especially when he's reflecting on things he's lost in his life). He makes Xavier someone that's easy to root for, even when you might start to question some of the choices he makes. Above all, Xavier is a man with a good heart who often finds himself in impossible situations, and Brown makes sure that we always feel connected to his authenticity. Brown is one of those actors that can make the slightest movement or facial expression, and it speaks volumes. Xavier has been torn apart by grief and placed in an environment he feels entirely unsure about. His uncertainty and discomfort radiate in every scene, proving that this show is truly a vehicle for Brown's impressive talents.
But it's not just Brown who brings the world of Paradise to life in a successful way. Marsden is spot-on as the charismatic Cal. His affable charm in flashbacks makes it all the more tragic since we know how his story will end. Beavers is perfection as Billy, in all his sarcastic, wise-cracking glory. Nicole Brydon Bloom is also notable as quiet, unassuming Agent Jane Driscoll, who ends up having a bigger role as the series unfolds. And then there's Julianne Nicholson, as Samantha "Sinatra" Redmond, who absolutely shines as the flinty, conniving government head. At first, Sinatra seems like an enigma, but then we learn more about her tragic villain origin story, and Nicholson allows her to become one of the most complex characters on television right now. The cast is definitely firing on all cylinders, and there's not a weak link in the bunch. Even the child actors who play Cal's children (Aliyah Mastin and Percy Daggs IV) continue the trend of heartbreaking realism that threads throughout the entire show.
Paradise did inspire a lot of word-of-mouth chatter when it began streaming. When the Emmys rolled around, Paradise landed four nominations, including Outstanding Drama, and acting nods for Brown, Nicholson, and Marsden. Although the show went home empty-handed, their recognition demonstrated that both critics and viewers alike had fallen in love with this show. It was announced only a month into Season 1 that a Season 2 would be on the way, and the show is currently rocking an 86% on Rotten Tomatoes score, proving that the series already has many devoted fans. Since new episodes won't be arriving until next year, now is the perfect time for anyone who hasn't watched Season 1 to catch up on this thrilling, suspenseful show that is sure to keep you guessing.
Season 1 of Paradise is available to stream on Hulu in the U.S.
Paradise
Like Follow Followed TV-MA Drama Crime Thriller Release Date January 26, 2025 Network Hulu Directors Gandja Monteiro Writers Jason WilbornCast
See All-
Sterling K. Brown
Xavier Collins
-
Julianne Nicholson
Samantha 'Sinatra' Redmond
Expand
Collapse
-
Paradise
-
Sterling K. Brown
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 emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
Jan 24, 2025
'Paradise' Review: Sterling K. Brown Stuns in 'This Is Us' Creator's Sleek, Timely Political Thriller
3 hours ago
Ridley Scott's Controversial Movie That Started His Feud With Historians Is a Sudden Streaming Hit
4 hours ago
If You Like ‘The Running Man,’ Check Out This Underrated Anna Kendrick and Jake Johnson Comedy With a Similar Premise
4 hours ago
This Beloved TV Favorite Is the Ultimate Comfort Watch 37 Years Later, and You Can Stream It for Free
More from our brands
10 Best Shows That Scratch the Same Itch as Hulu’s 'Paradise'
37 Shows on Netflix That Couples Can Binge-Watch Together
25 Best R-Rated TV Shows of All Time, Ranked
The 40 Best TV Shows Of The 2000s, Ranked
‘Paradise’ Episode Release Schedule
Beyond Paradise Season 3 Review: I Hope Season 4 Has More Episodes, As This British Mystery Series Is Cozy Crime At Its Best
I Can't Stop Thinking About the 'Paradise' Finale, and It Was Kind of Disappointing
What To Watch
July 20, 2025
The 72 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now
Trending Now
70 Years Later, One of TV's Longest-Running Western Series Has Become a Massive Streaming Sensation
Bob Dylan Called This Album a Disaster and Wishes It Was Never Released
Gillian Anderson Is Best-Known for ‘The X-Files,’ but Her Most Underrated Show Is This Gritty Crime Thriller
