SERIES REVIEW – Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent, is thrust into a tangled web of secrets and conspiracy following the assassination of U.S. President Cal Bradford (James Marsden). The series, featuring Oscar nominee Sterling K. Brown (American Fiction), merges action with drama, giving Brown the opportunity to showcase both his natural warmth and his capability as an action star.

However, Bradford does not meet his fate in the White House or even in Washington, D.C. Instead, he and Collins reside in Paradise, a seemingly idyllic community of 25,000 people that looks strikingly similar to Southern California—where the series was filmed—yet feels distinctly different. Residents rely on advanced wristbands for transactions and security access. There are no firearms, not even for law enforcement. Broad canals lined with picturesque homes create a setting that appears utopian but conceals deeper mysteries.

A Place of Secrets and an Unfolding Narrative

The exact nature of Paradise—which is deliberately kept under wraps—is only the first of many revelations that punctuate the show’s unfolding mystery. While the first three episodes are released together for binge-watching, the rest will be spaced out weekly, ensuring a steady drip-feed of suspense and intrigue. The frequent twists and reveals make Paradise a compelling, almost addictive watch. The show thrives on its surprises, and even critics have refrained from disclosing key details, respecting the creators’ intent to let audiences discover the twists for themselves.

True to Dan Fogelman’s signature storytelling style (This Is Us), Paradise is less focused on the logistics of the social experiment at its core and more interested in the personal and emotional narratives of its characters. The show doesn’t always feel like a traditional sci-fi series, even though it technically falls within the genre. Instead, it blends political drama, character-driven storytelling, and elements of a conspiracy thriller into a unique hybrid.

Unraveling the Past While Searching for the Truth

Paradise toggles between two timelines: the present-day investigation into Bradford’s assassination and flashbacks that reveal who these characters were before arriving in this seemingly utopian community. Collins is a widowed father raising two children alone, while Bradford is a privileged political figure playing the part of a leader without necessarily embodying true leadership. Their volatile, resentment-filled relationship fuels much of the show’s central tension.

James Marsden, who has spent much of his career subverting the “Ken doll” stereotype in projects like Westworld and Jury Duty, brings that same self-awareness to Bradford. His character exudes confidence on the surface but harbors deep insecurities underneath.

Meanwhile, Paradise’s residents aren’t just grappling with the aftermath of an assassination; they’re also navigating personal struggles like grief, love, and aging parents. Bradford’s political benefactor, Samantha Redmond (Julianne Nicholson – Mare of Easttown, Janet Planet), a tech billionaire with an unsettling amount of control over Paradise’s affairs, is not just a power player—she’s also a fiercely protective mother and wife. A scene where she casually shops for groceries with her children may strain credulity—would someone of her stature really run errands herself?—but underscores the show’s interest in grounding its characters with personal stakes.

Collins’ fellow agents, Billy (Jon Beavers) and Jane (Nicole Brydon Bloom), seem less interested in uncovering their boss’s murderer than in keeping their workplace romance a secret. Their subplot provides a lighter counterpoint to the series’ weightier themes, though at times, their concerns feel comically trivial given the high-stakes nature of their environment.

Escalating Tension and the Road Ahead

The show’s core performances help anchor its intimate focus within a broader, high-concept premise. Julianne Nicholson, previously lauded for her understated work in Mare of Easttown and Janet Planet, takes a more commanding turn here, shifting from subtly menacing to near-maniacal as the story progresses. Sterling K. Brown continues to excel in roles that blend intensity with vulnerability, while Marsden brings depth to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.

As the season unfolds, the stakes and urgency naturally rise. Critics were not provided with the final episode, but as the series builds toward its conclusion, it has generated enough momentum to carry audiences into a likely second season. The sheer number of unresolved threads suggests that Paradise was always designed as a multi-season story. Unlike Apple TV+’s Silo, which immerses itself in detailed world-building, this show prioritizes character-driven intrigue over elaborate sci-fi mechanics. But once these characters are set into motion, their personal stakes become compelling enough to follow.

-Gergely Herpai „BadSector”-