Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Sweetbitter, which premiered on May 6, 2018 on Starz and delivered an intoxicating look at New York City’s restaurant culture through the eyes of a young woman discovering herself in the chaos of fine dining.
Sweetbitter aired on Starz from May 6, 2018 to August 18, 2019, consisting of 12 episodes total across two seasons with 30-minute runtimes. The half-hour drama series was based on the bestselling book of the same name by Stephanie Danler, who also served as creator, executive producer and writer. The series starred Ella Purnell as Tess, alongside Tom Sturridge, Caitlin FitzGerald, Paul Sparks, Evan Jonigkeit, and Eden Epstein. Unfortunately, Starz canceled the series after two seasons in December 2019.
This coming-of-age dramedy explores the intoxicating world of high-end restaurant culture, where the line between work and life becomes dangerously blurred. Tess begins working at NYC’s top restaurant, thinking it will be a temporary job, but is soon intoxicated by the restaurant’s workers, nightlife, and fast-paced lifestyle, creating a raw portrait of young adulthood in the city that never sleeps.
A Small-Town Girl Lost in the Big City: Tess’s Journey
Sweetbitter follows 22-year-old Tess who, shortly after arriving in New York City, lands a job at a celebrated downtown restaurant. Swiftly introduced to the world of drugs, drinking, love, lust, dive bars and fine dining, she learns to navigate the chaotic and seductive restaurant industry that becomes both her salvation and potential downfall.
Tess’s journey represents the universal experience of young people trying to find their place in an overwhelming world. The restaurant becomes a microcosm of adult life, where professional ambition, sexual desire, friendship, and betrayal all intersect in the pressure-cooker environment of fine dining service. Her story captures the intoxicating freedom and dangerous excess that comes with newfound independence.
Tess: The Wide-Eyed Newcomer Finding Her Voice
Ella Purnell delivers a compelling performance as Tess, embodying the vulnerability and determination of someone desperately trying to prove they belong in a world they don’t understand. Her character’s appetite for knowledge and experience is awakened, and she discovers her voice as she navigates the complex social dynamics of restaurant culture.
Tess’s evolution throughout the series shows her learning to balance ambition with self-preservation, passion with practicality. As she falls more in love with the restaurant, however, she realizes that it can also be a trap, highlighting the addictive nature of restaurant culture that can consume those who aren’t careful about maintaining boundaries.
The Restaurant Crew: Mentors and Manipulators
The supporting cast creates a rich tapestry of restaurant personalities, from seasoned servers to manipulative managers, each representing different aspects of the industry’s culture. Tom Sturridge plays Jake, a charismatic bartender who becomes both mentor and romantic interest, embodying the dangerous allure of restaurant nightlife.
The ensemble cast captures the family-like bonds that form in restaurant environments, where coworkers become your closest friends and fiercest competitors simultaneously. These relationships drive much of the series’ drama, as personal and professional boundaries constantly blur in the high-stress, high-reward world of fine dining.
When Service Becomes Life: The All-Consuming Restaurant World
The series builds to moments where characters must choose between their restaurant family and their personal wellbeing, highlighting how the industry can become an all-consuming lifestyle rather than just a job. The most intense episodes occur during busy service nights where personal dramas explode alongside professional pressures.
These climactic scenes effectively capture the adrenaline rush of restaurant service while showing how the intense environment can amplify personal conflicts and romantic tensions. The series excels at showing how the restaurant becomes a stage where everyone’s deepest desires and insecurities are exposed under pressure.
Mixed Reception Despite Strong Performances on Starz
While Sweetbitter was never a ratings breakout or a critical favorite, the series found its audience among viewers who appreciated its authentic portrayal of restaurant culture. The show was praised for Ella Purnell’s performance and its unflinching look at the less glamorous aspects of the food service industry.
The series’ cancellation after two seasons reflected the challenges of translating a successful novel into episodic television. However, Sweetbitter succeeded in capturing the sensory overload and emotional intensity of restaurant work, creating a visceral viewing experience that stayed true to its source material’s spirit.
A Raw Portrait of Youth and Ambition
If you love coming-of-age stories and workplace dramas with authentic edge, Sweetbitter is worth experiencing on Starz. While it may have been canceled after two seasons, it offers an unvarnished look at how young people navigate ambition, desire, and identity in one of the most demanding industries.
Why You Should Watch: The Real Taste of Restaurant Life
Sweetbitter serves up an authentic portrayal of restaurant culture that goes beyond kitchen glamour to show the real human cost of chasing dreams in an unforgiving industry. It’s a series that captures the intoxicating highs and devastating lows of finding yourself through work.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 12 episodes (across 2 seasons)
Platform: Starz
Release/End Year: 2018-2019
Current IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Status: Canceled after two seasons
Main Characters: Ella Purnell (Tess), Tom Sturridge (Jake)
Supporting Characters: Caitlin FitzGerald (Simone), Paul Sparks (Howard), Evan Jonigkeit (Will)