Season 1 of Netflix’s “Dead to Me” twisted and turned like the path that brought Judy (Linda Cardellini) and Jen (Christina Applegate) together. With one rousing final reveal to end the season, viewers have been left waiting for the answers to what comes next. For a series that takes its cues from one night of misery, the speed and pace rush at times as if the Mustang’s roaring engine is throttling through the writer’s room.
READ MORE: Netflix’s ‘Dead to Me’ Succeeds At Finding Humor In The Midst Of Tragedy [Review]
Much of the appeal of this series can be found in its leads Applegate and Cardellini; both actresses bring a depth to their characters which accentuates anger at missed opportunities and poor decisions that inevitably befall them. As Season 2 begins, they’re set with a new problem that almost evens the playing field for the two women. While Applegate is sure to take a lot of credit for the upcoming season’s arc around another death, Cardellini promises to be one to watch as she navigates an already complicated study in grief and responsibility.
READ MORE: ‘The Great’ Trailer: Elle Fanning Stars In Hulu Series From The Writer Of ‘The Favourite’
In a tease of what’s to come, Netflix is less than coy about the stakes for the main characters. With Detective Perez (Diana-Maria Riva) coming closer to the truth, it’s only a matter of time before something has to give. Executive Producer and creator Liz Feldman seems to thrive on this format that ratchets up the stress level with a heavy dose of black comedy to digest the bleak medicine. The result is a patient formula that gives viewers only what they need when they need it. In a time when everything is revealed without a glimmer of suspenseful resignation, the dedication is more than appreciated.
How will Jen and Judy get over a new murder in their lives? Can either woman get away from the past mistakes that now haunt them? The answers will begin to unravel when “Dead to Me” season 2 premieres May 8 on Netflix.