The Duchess Is Ruder Than Regal
It is really difficult, in a comedy, to make a dislikable character likable. From the amazing series MAXXX and to the hilarious Never Have I Ever, when you have a lead that is so apparently and obliviously flawed, you have to give them either A) some level of redemption or signs of emotional growth or B) Make them so ridiculous and outlandish that you invest in their insanity. Unfortunately, Netflix’s The Duchess has the recipe for a really great comedy but doesn’t quite land because it lacks those two ingredients.
Katherine Ryan is the lead, creator, and writer of the Netflix series, premiering September 11. In it she plays a potty-mouthed single mom, also named Katherine, that is desperately trying to give her 9 year old daughter/ best friend Olive, a baby sibling. From the onset, Katy Byrne makes Olive 9 years old going on 59. She is so smart, mature, and sweet, which are NOT the qualities of her mother; something even Katherine would admit. The core of this show is that Katherine became a better person because Olive was born and turned out to be a fantastic daughter. Yet, there are not enough “mother-daughter” moments to shroud that Katherine is genuinely mean.
The Duchess | Official Trailer | Netflix
Listen! I LOVED THE MINDY PROJECT and gave my heart to The Office: both the US and UK versions. I am all about comedic anti-heroes; characters so self-absorbed and eccentrically obnoxious, you laugh at the mere fact that someone thought of them. I like absurdity, of which asking your dead-beat ex for his sperm to give your shared child a sibling that could donate a kidney, just in case, is TOTALLY ABSURD! Yet, for all the moments and situations meant to make you laugh, cringe, and roll your eyes at the delusion of an aged Popstar named Ship (played by Rory Keenan) and the refreshingly, mentally stable fan that is obsessed with him Cheryl (played by Doon Mackichan), the series can’t seem to rise to its potential because there is not enough kindness or softness to these characters, especially its lead.
I really wanted to like Katherine and her crude ways and blunt, expletive filled speeches she would toss to get what she wants. Still, there was no charm. Of course, I had my chuckles because she can say some crazy things and her fashion is always on point. If anything, her best friend Bev (played by Michelle De Swarte) hits the stride viewers will want from Katherine. Bev is snarky, selfish, fabulous, self-centered, but oddly loyal, strong, and occasionally kind. Yet, the series hits a road-bump by making Katherine play with and be cruel towards the one character that is actually nice.
Katherine Ryan Being ICONIC for 17 Minutes Straight! | 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Big Narstie Show & More
Steen Raskopoulos plays Evan, and he is the only light of this show besides Olive. He is so kind, thoughtful, good, and deeply in love, for some reason, with Katherine. It is not just that he is handsome, but he is also respectful, responsible, and eager to start a life with her. In essence. Ryan has written the “dream guy:” filled with the charm, good job, and big heart that women would want from a man. Naturally, Katherine does not want him, which is okay. If anything, you feel he dodged a bullet, but that is the problem. Her journey of continuously breaking his heart puts you off because it is not that she is simply unsure, it is that she is mean. With that being said, the series does end on an intriguing note, but, if it comes back, I hope it includes the ingredients I mentioned: more ridiculousness and redemption for The Duchess, i.e. Katherine.
