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Season 1 – Wayward

Play trailer 2:00 Poster for Season 1 – Wayward Sep 2025 Drama Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
78% Tomatometer 55 Reviews 46% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Nothing is what it seems in Tall Pines. After an escape attempt from an academy for “troubled teens", two students join forces with a newly local police officer, unearthing the town's dark and deeply rooted secrets.
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Wayward — Season 1

Wayward — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

An eerie mystery that eschews easy answers, Wayward can occasionally feel as listless as its title, but surprising twists and Toni Collette's committed performance keep this thriller intriguing.

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Critics Reviews

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Em Win Autostraddle Oct 28
An evocative, eerie reflection of the present. Go to Full Review Wenlei Ma The Nightly (AU) Oct 1
Toni Collette has always been such a magnetic performer across every genre, but she’s always at her best when a role calls on her to be a little bit spiky and arch. It’s a mix of impeccable timing, instincts and oodles of charisma. Go to Full Review Linda Holmes Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR Podcast) Sep 30
It's so perfect because it's so creepy, and yet, it's so dorky. Go to Full Review Hannah Brown Jerusalem Post Oct 21
It plays like a combination of The Handmaid’s Tale and Schitt’s Creek, but as strange as that might sound, it works. Toni Collette is both charismatic and creepy as the head of the school. Go to Full Review Álvaro Onieva Fotogramas Oct 6
3/5
This psychological thriller alone is worth watching (and the rest of the cast delivers as well), but the story's development is engaging enough to hold your attention the whole way through. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Bethan Ackerley New Scientist Oct 6
There are so many interesting ideas in Wayward, but it is often more stimulating to think about the show than watch it. Sadly, after some stellar first episodes, it falls apart, ending mundanely. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Nate W. @rottnguts 2d it balances mystery and emotion so well. The storytelling is gripping without feeling rushed, and the characters are layered, making their choices feel meaningful. The atmosphere is haunting and immersive, pulling you deeper into the world with every episode. It’s the kind of show that stays with you long after you finish watching. See more Hasan K @Kazmihas 5d I’m tired of queer writers writin up stories acting like ambiguity equals depth. Wayvard builds you up emotionally and then just… backs out. No payoff, no clarity, no spine. I didn’t finish this feeling moved. I finished it feeling played. Like — was I supposed to cry, reflect, or realize I wasted my time? Because open-ended doesn’t always mean meaningful. Sometimes it just means unfinished. My time matters. This didn’t respect it. Period. See more Reinaldo F @Reinaldo212 Jan 16 I watched because I love Toni Collette - even if she hates me after the review. The first episodes are great, then the story kind of get lost. And the most distracting is that all happens in a parallell universe where everybody is gay woman or boss woman or both. I am gay, but in the universe I Iive only 10% of people are gay ( yes, not Iran nor Russia) - after all, mammals have to reproduce sexually. See more dan m @DMichelson Jan 9 Was this intended for mature adults, or was this adapted from a Young Adult book? I am the former, and this very much seemed like the latter. Looked interesting on the surface, but ended up being lame. Like a bad version of some teen flick. Also, I am extremely liberal, and this is NOT a commentary on the trans representation - Mae Martin was just so miscast and terrible, and Sarah Gadon was worse. "Just promise me we'll leave before the baby comes..." Ugh! Awful. See more Natalie N Jan 6 Excellent limited series, well worth a watch. Love the trans representation. The mystery was captivating, the actors were excellent. While I liked the ending, the "shock" factor could have been enhanced. Not sure how! Overall - Mae rocks this one. See more Sam A @Padlock Jan 6 Decent show. Love the trans representation. I feel there could have been mrke juicy cult scenes, especially where we see more of the leap. However I would recommend See more Read all reviews
Wayward — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Mae Martin

Creator

Mae Martin

Actor

Toni Collette

Leanne

Sarah Gadon

Laura

Patrick J. Adams

Actor

Brandon Jay McLaren

Actor

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 25, 2025 Tall Pines After a student escapes, newly arrived local cop Alex Dempsey grows suspicious of the goings on at Tall Pines Academy, a school for troubled teens. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 25, 2025 Burrow As a terrified Abbie takes stock of her new surroundings, Leila attempts a daring rescue; Alex discovers there's no privacy in a small town. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 25, 2025 Break Abbie and Leila get a taste of Tall Pines' unconventional approach to rehabilitation; Alex gains new insight into the school's history and Laura's. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 25, 2025 Mud Laura grows weary of Alex's suspicions; Leila endures a punishment; Rory and Abbie team up to find crucial evidence that could help them escape. Details Episode 5 Aired Sep 25, 2025 Build Alex connects with a blogger who's convinced the school is hiding something; Leila divulges a secret that spirals out of control. Details Episode 6 Aired Sep 25, 2025 Mirror A wilderness excursion grows vicious as the students vie for a chance at freedom; Evelyn forces Leila to revisit the night of her sister's death. Details Episode 7 Aired Sep 25, 2025 Ascend As Evelyn exploits the growing rift between Leila and Abbie, Laura finds an opening to drive a wedge of her own; Alex sees the true face of Tall Pines. Details Episode 8 Aired Sep 25, 2025 Leap Evelyn desperately tries to regain control; Abbie, Leila and Rory set their escape plan in motion; Alex discovers his purpose. Details

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Wayward — Season 1

Wayward: Limited Series Trailer Wayward: Limited Series Trailer 2:00 Wayward: Season 1 Teaser Wayward: Season 1 Teaser 0:39 View more videos
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Wayward — Season 1

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Season Info

Creator
Mae Martin
Executive Producer
Mae Martin, Ben Farrell, Hannah MacKay, Bruno Dubé, Jennifer Kawaja, Euros Lyn
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 25, 2025
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