Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Feel Good, which has become one of Netflix’s most acclaimed LGBTQ+ comedy-drama series.
Feel Good premiered on Netflix on March 19, 2020, delivering two seasons with a total of 12 episodes that run approximately 25 minutes each. Created by Mae Martin and Joe Hampson, this semi-autobiographical British series stars Mae Martin as a fictionalized version of themselves, alongside Charlotte Ritchie and Lisa Kudrow in supporting roles.
The series follows Mae, a Canadian stand-up comedian living in Manchester who is navigating sobriety, gender identity, and a passionate new relationship with George, a previously heterosexual English woman. What makes Feel Good exceptional is how it balances humor with deeply personal themes of addiction, sexuality, and self-discovery, creating a narrative that feels both intimate and universally relatable.
Mae Martin: Comedy, Vulnerability, and Self-Discovery
Mae Martin delivers an extraordinary performance as a fictionalized version of themselves, bringing authentic depth to a character struggling with addiction recovery and gender identity. As a recovering addict and comedian, Mae is trying to control the addictive behaviors and intense romanticism that permeate every facet of their life. Martin’s portrayal is raw and honest, never shying away from the messy realities of recovery and relationships.
What makes Mae’s character arc so compelling is the way Martin weaves their real-life experiences into the narrative. The show explores Mae’s journey with gender identity and pronouns, their relationship with their body, and the challenges of maintaining sobriety while pursuing both comedy and love. Martin’s comedy background shines through, providing natural humor that never feels forced or disconnected from the emotional core of the story.
Charlotte Ritchie: George’s Journey of Sexual and Emotional Awakening
Charlotte Ritchie delivers a nuanced performance as George, a repressed, middle-class English woman who meets Mae at a comedy club and begins questioning everything she thought she knew about herself. George’s character represents the complexity of sexual fluidity and the courage it takes to embrace unexpected love.
Ritchie masterfully portrays George’s internal struggle between societal expectations and personal desires. Her chemistry with Mae Martin is electric, creating a relationship that feels both passionate and authentic. George’s journey from someone who has never questioned her heterosexuality to someone willing to explore her feelings for Mae is handled with sensitivity and realism.
Lisa Kudrow: Maternal Complexity and Family Dynamics
Lisa Kudrow brings her trademark wit and unexpected dramatic depth to the role of Linda, Mae’s mother. Kudrow’s casting was inspired, as the creators wanted someone with “the gravitas of Lisa” to portray this complex maternal figure. Her performance adds layers to the show’s exploration of family dynamics and acceptance.
Linda’s relationship with Mae explores themes of parental love, disappointment, and the challenges of supporting a child through addiction and identity struggles. Kudrow’s portrayal avoids stereotypes, presenting a mother who is flawed but ultimately loving, even when she doesn’t fully understand her child’s journey.
The Manchester Setting: Authenticity and Connection
The show follows the development of George and Mae’s romance in contemporary Manchester, using the city’s comedy scene as a backdrop for their meeting and relationship. The Manchester setting isn’t just geographic; it becomes part of the show’s identity, reflecting the working-class authenticity that permeates the series.
The comedy club scenes are particularly effective, showing Mae’s professional life while also serving as the space where their personal transformation unfolds. The show captures the intimacy of the UK comedy circuit and how it can become both a refuge and a source of vulnerability for performers.
Critical Success on Netflix: A Hidden Gem
Feel Good received overwhelmingly positive reviews when it premiered, with critics praising its authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences and addiction recovery. The series was renewed for a second and final season on December 7, 2020, which was released on June 4, 2021. Netflix handled international distribution and released it worldwide, making it accessible to global audiences.
The show’s approach to depicting complex relationships and identity issues has made it a standout in Netflix’s catalog. With episodes running approximately 25 minutes each, Feel Good offers the perfect format for binge-watching while allowing viewers to digest its emotional content. The series has been praised for its natural humor and the way it addresses heavy subject matter without losing its warmth and relatability.
If you love authentic LGBTQ+ stories that blend comedy with deep emotional truth, Feel Good is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. Mae Martin and Charlotte Ritchie’s performances, combined with Lisa Kudrow’s supporting role, create a viewing experience that is both entertaining and profoundly moving.
Summary: Feel Good delivers an honest, funny, and deeply moving exploration of love, identity, and recovery that stands as essential viewing for anyone seeking authentic queer storytelling.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 12 episodes (2 seasons)
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 8.1/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Comedy-Drama, LGBTQ+, Romance
Protagonists: Mae Martin (Mae), Charlotte Ritchie (George), Lisa Kudrow (Linda)
Antagonist: Internal struggles with addiction, identity, and societal expectations