'Phenomenal' Netflix series climbs up charts with more than 5 million views

Netflix has just launched the inaugural season of a new sitcom that'scausing quite a stir among critics.

The series stars comedian Leanne Morgan, who found fame in her 50s after her 2023 Netflix comedy special, playing a fictionalised version of herself as her life takes an unexpected turn.

When her long-term husband Bill (portrayed by Ryan Stiles) announces he's leaving her for a younger woman, Leanne refuses to take it lying down and starts to rebuild her life as a newly single mother.

Joining her journey are Leanne's chaotic sister Carol (Kristen Johnston), who's been through two divorces, her perfect son Tyler (Graham Rogers), and her wayward daughter Josie (Hannah Pilkes).

Co-created by Morgan and The Big Bang Theory's Chuck Lorre, the series, titled Leanne, has the potential to become Netflix's most successful original comedy in years.

And it's already proven to be a hit, climbing up Netflix charts in the two weeks since its release as it has racked up more than 5,000,000 views.

One fan praised: "Binged all episodes in one sitting. So good. Really enjoyed and hope they doing alot of seasons."

Another said: "Off to a slow start but builds to a hilarious finale. Reminded me of Schitt's Creek in some ways. It was refreshing to be able to watch a TV show as a family. Wholesome, short, family friendly, and funny. It was a win for me. Just give it time."

Someone else wrote: "What a great show. Funny entertaining had to binge watch it. Wish there were more episodes. Each and every actor actress was phenomenal. Need a second season."

"They don't make sitcoms like this anymore. I laughed from the first episode to the last. I really hope there's a second season," another said.

However, The Guardian's review warns that despite the show's charming lead, the series is let down by "terribly written" scripts, with the opening episode being particularly cringe-inducing.

"It is best to be upfront about these things and say that the opening episode is bad," they wrote. "Worse than you've just assumed when I said 'bad'. Gone is the lightness of touch, the consummate ease, the subtly immaculate timing of her stage show; instead, we have a leaden script punctuated by a desperate laughter track, and a one-note performance by Morgan."

However, despite initially slamming the show's shaky beginning, the review eventually conceded that the inaugural series develops into a calming 22-minute retreat.

"And once your expectations are suitably lowered, it takes on a charm of its own," the assessment went on.

"The colours are bright. The multi-camera format reminds you of happier, simpler times from your youth. Morgan and Johnston are in almost every scene and have comedy chops that can overcome even the most defiantly second- and third-tier writing and reward your viewing investment with glimmers of merriment. It starts to take on a rosy hue."

The show has also received praise from outlets including Variety, who branded it "a heaping plate of Southern charm with a side of mid-life reinvention".

"I may not be the target audience for Leanne, but I found much to like in it, and suspect many Netflix subscribers will as well," they lauded.

The Hollywood Reporter also praised the programme's subtle humour, observing: "That its throwback sensibility mostly comes off as classic rather than hoary is a testament to the competence of the seasoned cast and crew, as well as to Morgan's confident lead turn.

"It helps, too, that the episodes never overstay their welcome, clocking in at around 20 minutes each in an era when 'half-hour' streaming comedies have a habit of ballooning into 40-minute run times."

Leanne is available to watch on Netflix.