Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Love Life, which became HBO Max’s first major original scripted series and captured hearts with its fresh take on romantic storytelling.
Premiering on May 27, 2020, this romantic comedy anthology series ran for two seasons with a total of 20 episodes, each averaging around 35 minutes in length. Created by Sam Boyd and starring Anna Kendrick, Love Life was designed as an anthology that follows a different person each season from their first romance until their last romance and “how the people we’re with along the way make us into who we are when we finally end up with someone forever.” Originally exclusive to HBO Max, the series found new life when Netflix acquired the streaming rights in August 2025 after HBO Max removed it from their platform.
The series takes a unique approach to romantic storytelling by examining love as a journey rather than a destination. With narration by Lesley Manville in season 1, Love Life explores the messy, complicated, and often hilarious reality of modern dating in New York City. The show’s anthology format allows each season to deep-dive into one person’s complete romantic history, creating an intimate portrait of how relationships shape us.
Darby’s Decade-Long Quest for Love
Season one follows Darby Carter, played brilliantly by Anna Kendrick, as she navigates the treacherous waters of New York City dating from her early twenties to her thirties. The series doesn’t shy away from the awkward, painful, and sometimes cringe-worthy moments that define our romantic lives. Each episode focuses on a different relationship in Darby’s journey, from college sweethearts to toxic encounters and everything in between.
What makes Darby’s story compelling is how real it feels. She makes mistakes, falls for the wrong people, and struggles with self-doubt in ways that resonate with anyone who’s ever been single in a big city. Kendrick’s performance captures the vulnerability and resilience required to keep putting yourself out there, even when love feels impossible to find. The series shows how each relationship, even the failed ones, teaches Darby something essential about herself and what she truly wants.
Who Feel Like Real Friends
Zoë Chao as Sara Yang, Darby’s roommate and best friend, and Sasha Compère as Mallory Moore, Darby’s other roommate and friend, create the foundation of emotional support that grounds the series. These friendships feel authentic and lived-in, providing the kind of honest advice and unconditional support that real friendships require. Sara and Mallory aren’t just there to deliver exposition about Darby’s love life; they have their own romantic struggles and personal growth arcs.
The supporting cast includes memorable romantic interests played by talented actors like Scoot McNairy and John Gallagher Jr., each bringing depth to characters who could have easily been one-dimensional. The series excels at showing how even brief romantic encounters can have lasting impact on our personal development and understanding of love.
When Everything Falls Into Place
The series builds to powerful moments of realization where Darby finally understands what she’s been searching for all along. These aren’t just romantic epiphanies but deeper insights about self-worth, compatibility, and the difference between settling and choosing. The most impactful episodes occur when Darby stops trying to force relationships that aren’t working and starts recognizing the patterns that have been holding her back.
The season finale delivers an emotionally satisfying conclusion that feels earned rather than convenient. It’s a testament to the show’s commitment to realistic character development that Darby’s happy ending doesn’t erase the pain and growth of her journey but rather builds upon it.
HBO Max Success and Critical Reception
“Love Life,” the first scripted series for adults to go out on HBO Max, is amiable, light and — flaws aside — easily bingeable. The series helped establish HBO Max as a destination for quality original content, particularly for viewers seeking sophisticated romantic comedy. The series was renewed for a second season in June 2020, with William Jackson Harper taking over as the lead for season two, following a different character’s romantic journey.
Critics praised the series for its authentic portrayal of modern dating and Kendrick’s nuanced performance. The show’s 35-minute episode format proved perfect for binge-watching, allowing viewers to experience Darby’s complete romantic evolution in manageable, emotionally satisfying chunks. Though the series was canceled after two seasons and removed from HBO Max in December 2022, its recent acquisition by Netflix gives it a new platform to find audiences.
The Perfect Romantic Journey Worth Taking
If you love authentic romantic comedies that explore the real complexities of modern dating, Love Life is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. Anna Kendrick’s honest portrayal of a woman figuring out love in her twenties and thirties creates an emotional journey that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Why This Series Captures the Heart
Love Life succeeds because it understands that the journey to finding lasting love is rarely straightforward, often painful, but ultimately rewarding. This beautifully crafted series offers viewers a chance to see their own romantic struggles reflected on screen while providing hope that growth and self-discovery can lead to genuine happiness.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 20 episodes (Season 1: 10 episodes, Season 2: 10 episodes)
Platform: Netflix (originally HBO Max)
Release Years: 2020-2021
Current IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Anthology, Drama
Status: Completed (2 seasons)
Protagonists: Anna Kendrick (Darby Carter – Season 1), William Jackson Harper (Marcus Watkins – Season 2)
Supporting Cast: Zoë Chao (Sara Yang), Sasha Compère (Mallory Moore), Peter Vack (Jim)