Physical (TV series)

Last updated
Physical
Physical TV series poster.png
Genre
Created byAnnie Weisman
Starring
Narrated byRose Byrne
Composer Isabella Summers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes30
Production
Executive producers
Running time23–34 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Apple TV+
ReleaseJune 18, 2021 (2021-06-18) 
September 27, 2023 (2023-09-27)

Physical is an American comedy-drama television series created by Annie Weisman. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on June 18, 2021. In August 2021, the series was renewed for a second season ahead of its first season finale, which premiered on June 3, 2022. [1] [2] In August 2022, the series was renewed for a third season. [3] In May 2023, it was announced that the third season would be the final season and would premiere on August 2, 2023. [4]

Contents

Premise

Set in 1980s San Diego, Physical is a dark comedy following Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne) through her journey of self-discovery via aerobics. [5]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast released
1 10June 18, 2021 (2021-06-18)August 6, 2021 (2021-08-06)
2 10June 3, 2022 (2022-06-03)August 5, 2022 (2022-08-05)
3 10August 2, 2023 (2023-08-02)September 27, 2023 (2023-09-27)

Season 1 (2021)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Let's Do This Thing" Craig Gillespie Annie WeismanJune 18, 2021 (2021-06-18)
22"Let's Get Political" Liza Johnson Annie WeismanJune 18, 2021 (2021-06-18)
33"Let's Get Down To Business" Stephanie Laing Rosa HandelmanJune 18, 2021 (2021-06-18)
44"Let's Get This Party Started"Liza JohnsonJessica DickeyJune 25, 2021 (2021-06-25)
55"Let's Agree to Disagree"Stephanie Laing Alexandra Cunningham July 2, 2021 (2021-07-02)
66"Let's Get It on Tape"Stephanie LaingLex EdnessJuly 9, 2021 (2021-07-09)
77"Let's Take This Show on the Road"Stephanie LaingAnnie WeismanJuly 16, 2021 (2021-07-16)
88"Let's Not and Say We Did"Stephanie LaingJustin BonillaJuly 23, 2021 (2021-07-23)
99"Let's Face the Facts"Stephanie LaingRosa HandelmanJuly 30, 2021 (2021-07-30)
1010"Let's Get Together"Liza Johnson, Stephanie LaingAnnie WeismanAugust 6, 2021 (2021-08-06)

Season 2 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
111"Don't You Want Me" Stephanie Laing Annie WeismanJune 3, 2022 (2022-06-03)
122"Don't You Ever Stop"Stephanie LaingRachel Caris LoveJune 10, 2022 (2022-06-10)
133"Don't You Go Far"Dan LazarovitsJessica DickeyJune 17, 2022 (2022-06-17)
144"Don't You Know"Dan LazarovitsK.C. ScottJune 24, 2022 (2022-06-24)
155"Don't You Want to Watch"Stephanie LaingJustin BonillaJuly 1, 2022 (2022-07-01)
166"Don't You Have Enough"Stephanie LaingJackie LiJuly 8, 2022 (2022-07-08)
177"Don't Try This at Home"Stephanie LaingColeman HerbertJuly 15, 2022 (2022-07-15)
188"Don't You Run and Hide"Stephanie LaingRosa HandelmanJuly 22, 2022 (2022-07-22)
199"Don't You Want to Get Better"Stephanie LaingColeman HerbertJuly 29, 2022 (2022-07-29)
2010"Don't You Say It's Over"Stephanie LaingStory by: Annie Weisman & Erika A. Schleich
Teleplay by: Annie Weisman
August 5, 2022 (2022-08-05)

Season 3 (2023)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
211"Like a Whole New Woman" Stephanie Laing Annie WeismanAugust 2, 2023 (2023-08-02)
222"Like a Bitch"Stephanie LaingColeman HerbertAugust 2, 2023 (2023-08-02)
233"Like It's on Fire"Stephanie LaingK.C. ScottAugust 9, 2023 (2023-08-09)
244"Like a Rocket"Stephanie LaingYael GreenAugust 16, 2023 (2023-08-16)
255"Like Crazy"Stephanie LaingBoo KillebrewAugust 23, 2023 (2023-08-23)
266"Like You Mean It"Stephanie LaingColeman HerbertAugust 30, 2023 (2023-08-30)
277"Like No One's Watching"Stephanie LaingYael Green & K.C. ScottSeptember 6, 2023 (2023-09-06)
288"Like a Mouse"Stephanie LaingBoo KillebrewSeptember 13, 2023 (2023-09-13)
299"Like We Never Left"Annie WeismanColeman HerbertSeptember 20, 2023 (2023-09-20)
3010"Like a Prayer"Stephanie LaingAnnie WeismanSeptember 27, 2023 (2023-09-27)

Production

Development

In January 2020, it was reported that Apple was nearing a series order for Physical, created and written by Annie Weisman, with Tomorrow Studios set to produce. [6] In December 2020, Craig Gillespie, Liza Johnson, and Stephanie Laing were announced as directors for the series, with Gillespie set to direct the pilot episode. [7] The series is a half-hour long and consists of ten episodes. [8]

On August 4, 2021, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a second season. [1] On August 11, 2022, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a third season. [3]

Casting

In January 2020, Rose Byrne was reported as headlining Physical. [6] In December 2020, it was announced that Byrne was playing the role of Sheila Rubin, with Paul Sparks, Rory Scovel, Lou Taylor Pucci, Della Saba, Dierdre Friel, and Ashley Liao joining the cast. [7] Geoffrey Arend joined the cast in January 2021, with Ian Gomez joining in April 2021. [9] [10] In October 2022, Zooey Deschanel joined the cast for the third season. [11]

Filming

Filming for the first season began in November 2020 and ended in March 2021. The second season began filming in November 2021 and ended in March 2022.[ citation needed ]

Release

The series premiered on June 18, 2021, on Apple TV + globally with the first three episodes available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis, every Friday. [12] The second season premiered on June 3, 2022. [2] The third and final season was released on August 2, 2023. [4]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 65% based on 51 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.40/10. The website's critical consensus reads:

"Not even a magnetic performance from Rose Byrne can save Physical from its exhausting parade of unpleasant characters and plot choices." [13]

On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 60 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [14]

German online magazine Spiegel was delighted and pointed out the difference between American and European reception:

"...that snarky social satire pitches into body cult and consumeristic insanity to our veritable pleasure; American critics were rather appalled – without any reason." [15]

The second season has an approval rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 11 critic reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads:

"Rose Byrne's blood, sweat, and tears are finally given a worthy bedrock as Physical finds its gyrating groove in this much-improved sophomore season." [16]

The third and final season has an approval rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 14 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads:

"Physical packs it in with a final season that, much like a good workout, is bracing but pays off with a satisfying endorphin rush." [17]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Saba and Pucci appear in the series finale, credited as main cast members
  2. Arend appears in only one episode of season 2 although credited as a main cast member

Related Research Articles

<i>Goliath</i> (TV series) American legal drama television series

Goliath is an American legal drama television series by Amazon Studios. The show was commissioned with a straight-to-series order of eight episodes on December 1, 2015 and premiered on October 13, 2016, on Amazon Prime Video. On February 15, 2017, Amazon announced the series had been renewed for a second season and confirmed that Clyde Phillips was joining the series as showrunner. The trailer for season 2 was released on May 1, 2018. Season 2, consisting of eight episodes, was released on June 15, 2018. On December 11, 2018, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on October 4, 2019. On November 14, 2019, Amazon announced the series was renewed for a fourth and final season, which premiered on September 24, 2021.

<i>Atypical</i> 2017 American comedy-drama television series

Atypical is an American comedy-drama television series created by Robia Rashid for Netflix. The series takes place in Connecticut, and focuses on the life of 18-year-old Samuel "Sam" Gardner, who is autistic. The first season was released on August 11, 2017, consisting of eight episodes. The 10-episode second season was released on September 7, 2018. In October 2018, the series was renewed for a third season of ten episodes, which was released on November 1, 2019. In February 2020, it was renewed for a fourth and final season, which premiered on July 9, 2021.

<i>9-1-1</i> (TV series) American procedural drama television series

9-1-1 is an American procedural drama television series created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear. The series premiered on Fox and currently airs on ABC. The series follows the lives of Los Angeles first responders: police officers, paramedics, firefighters, and dispatchers.

<i>The Kominsky Method</i> American comedy drama television series (2018–2021)

The Kominsky Method is an American comedy-drama television series, created by Chuck Lorre, that premiered on November 16, 2018, on Netflix. It stars Michael Douglas, Alan Arkin, Sarah Baker, Nancy Travis, Paul Reiser and Kathleen Turner and follows an aging acting coach who many years earlier had a brief moment of success as an actor.

<i>On My Block</i> American television series

On My Block is an American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Lauren Iungerich, Eddie Gonzalez, and Jeremy Haft. Set in the fictional Los Angeles neighborhood Freeridge, it revolves four teenagers who find their friendship tested upon entering high school. It stars Sierra Capri, Jason Genao, Brett Gray, Diego Tinoco, Jessica Marie Garcia, Julio Macias, and Peggy Blow.

The Morning Show, also known as Morning Wars in Australia and Indonesia, is an American drama television series starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Steve Carell in lead roles that premiered on Apple TV+ on November 1, 2019. The series is inspired by Brian Stelter's 2013 book Top of the Morning. The show examines the characters and culture behind a network broadcast morning news program. After allegations of sexual misconduct, the male co-anchor of the program is forced off the show. Aspects of the #MeToo movement are examined from multiple perspectives as more information comes out regarding the misconduct. Subsequent seasons focus on other political topics and current events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, racial inequality, the Capitol insurrection, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

<i>See</i> (TV series) American science fiction drama TV series

See is an American science fiction drama television series produced for Apple TV+ and starring Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard in leading roles. Set in a post-apocalyptic dystopia in the distant future where humanity's descendants have lost their sight, and the ability to see is considered to be a myth, the plot is set in motion by the birth of twin sighted children in a mountain tribe.

<i>Dickinson</i> (TV series) American comedy television series

Dickinson is an American comedy-drama television series about Emily Dickinson, created by Alena Smith and produced for Apple TV+. Starring Hailee Steinfeld as Emily Dickinson, the series aired for 30 episodes over three seasons from November 1, 2019, to December 24, 2021.

<i>Mythic Quest</i> American comedy television series

Mythic Quest is an American comedy television series created by Charlie Day, Megan Ganz, and Rob McElhenney for Apple TV+. The series premiered on February 7, 2020, and follows a fictional video game studio that produces a popular MMORPG called Mythic Quest.

<i>Why Women Kill</i> American dark comedy drama streaming television series

Why Women Kill is an American dark comedy anthology series created by Marc Cherry, which depicts the events leading to deaths caused by women. The first season, which premiered on August 15, 2019, on CBS All Access, consists of 10 episodes and is set in multiple periods. The second season, containing 10 episodes, premiered on June 3, 2021, on Paramount+ and focuses on a single time period. In December 2021, the series was renewed for a third season, but in July 2022 the third season was scrapped before production could begin.

<i>Sweet Magnolias</i> 2020 American romance drama streaming television series

Sweet Magnolias is an American romantic drama television series, developed by Sheryl J. Anderson and based on the Sweet Magnolias novels by Sherryl Woods. It stars JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Brooke Elliott and Heather Headley. The series premiered on Netflix on May 19, 2020. In July 2020, the series was renewed for a second season. The 10-episode second season premiered on February 4, 2022. In May 2022, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on July 20, 2023. In October 2023, the series was renewed for a fourth season which is slated to premiere on February 6, 2025.

<i>Big Shot</i> (TV series) American sports comedy drama television series

Big Shot is an American sports comedy-drama television series created by David E. Kelley, Dean Lorey and Brad Garrett for Disney+ starring John Stamos, Jessalyn Gilsig, and Yvette Nicole Brown.

<i>Love Life</i> (American TV series) American romantic comedy anthology television series (2020–2021)

Love Life is an American romantic comedy anthology television series created by Sam Boyd and starring Anna Kendrick that premiered on the HBO Max streaming service on May 27, 2020. The series 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."

<i>Platonic</i> (TV series) 2023 American television Romcom

Platonic is an American comedy television series created by Francesca Delbanco and Nicholas Stoller that premiered on Apple TV+ on May 24, 2023. In December 2023, the series was renewed for a second season.

<i>Bridge and Tunnel</i> (TV series) American comedy drama television series

Bridge and Tunnel is an American comedy drama television series written, directed and produced by Edward Burns for Epix. The first season consists of 6 episodes and premiered on January 24, 2021. In July 2021, the series was renewed for a second season. In September 2022, the series was canceled after two seasons.

Acapulco is an American Spanish and English-language comedy television series created by Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros, and Jason Shuman, inspired by How to Be a Latin Lover (2017). The series premiered on Apple TV+ on October 8, 2021. In March 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 21, 2022. In January 2023, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on May 1, 2024. In August 2024, the series was renewed for a fourth season.

<i>Silo</i> (TV series) American science fiction television series

Silo is an American science fiction dystopian drama television series created by Graham Yost, based on the Silo trilogy of novels by author Hugh Howey. Set in a dystopian future where a community exists in a giant underground silo comprising 144 levels, it stars Rebecca Ferguson as an engineer who becomes embroiled in the mysteries of its past and present. Rashida Jones, David Oyelowo, Common, Tim Robbins, Harriet Walter, Avi Nash, Rick Gomez, Chinaza Uche, Shane McRae, Remmie Milner, Alexandria Riley, Clare Perkins, Billy Postlethwaite, and Steve Zahn also star.

<i>Loot</i> (TV series) American comedy television series

Loot is an American comedy television series created by Matt Hubbard and Alan Yang that premiered on June 24, 2022, on Apple TV+. It follows newly single Molly Wells, whose divorce from her tech billionaire ex-husband has made her the third-wealthiest woman in the US, as she decides to run the day-to-day work of the charitable foundation she forgot she founded, much to its employees' chagrin.

<i>Criminal Record</i> (TV series) 2024 Apple TV+ thriller miniseries

Criminal Record is a British crime thriller television series created by Paul Rutman. The first season, consisting of eight episodes, premiered on Apple TV+ on 10 January 2024.

References

  1. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 4, 2021). "Rose Byrne Dramedy 'Physical' Renewed For Season 2 By AppleTV+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  2. 1 2 Mitovich, Matt Webb (April 5, 2022). "Rose Byrne Gets Physical in Season 2 With Murray Bartlett — See First Photos, Get Apple TV+ Premiere Date". TVLine. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Petski, Denise (August 11, 2022). "'Physical' Renewed For Season 3 At Apple TV+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Cordero, Rosy; Andreeva, Nellie (May 17, 2023). "'Physical': Rose Byrne-Led Apple TV+ Series To End With Season 3; Premiere Date Set". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
  5. "Physical". Apple TV+ Press. Archived from the original on 2021-02-27. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  6. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (January 29, 2020). "Rose Byrne To Star In Apple 1980s Dramedy Series 'Physical' From Annie Weisman". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Otterson, Joe (December 9, 2020). "Rose Byrne Apple Dramedy Series 'Physical' Adds Six to Cast". Variety . Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  8. Strause, Jackie (February 19, 2021). "Rose Byrne Talks "Groundbreaking" Lifestyle Guru in Apple TV+ Series 'Physical'". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  9. Petski, Denise (January 11, 2021). "'Physical': Geoffrey Arend Joins Rose Byrne & Rory Scovel In Apple Dramedy". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  10. Petski, Denise (April 1, 2021). "Ian Gomez Joins 'Physical'; 'A.P. Bio' Casts Hayley Marie Norman". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  11. Petski, Denise (October 12, 2022). "Zooey Deschanel Joins Rose Byrne In Season 3 Of Apple's 'Physical'". Deadline Hollywood .
  12. Grobar, Matt (April 27, 2021). "'Physical' Trailer: Rose Byrne Stars As Housewife Leading A Double Life In Apple TV+ Dramedy, Debuting Globally On June 18". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  13. "Physical: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  14. "Physical: Season 1". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 2021-07-08.
  15. Kaever, Oliver (2021-06-18). "Nur das Äußere zählt". Spiegel . At 16:34: 'Die giftige Gesellschaftssatire »Physical« macht sich über Körperkult und Konsumgier her, dass es eine wahre Freude ist. Amerikanische Kritiker waren eher erschreckt – völlig zu Unrecht.'
  16. "Physical: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  17. "Physical (2023) - Season 3". Rotten Tomatoes.