Laid is based on an Australian series of the same name, but the 2024 version by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna gives the main character Ruby (Stephanie Hsu) a deeper take, focusing more on her than just the comedy. Instead of calling Ruby a "promiscuous woman," this version shows Ruby as someone who's been trying to find that special someone her whole life. It’s easy to complain about being single, but Ruby’s actually out there trying, and still not making it work. When she discovers that her exes are dying one by one, it’s a major shock and forces her to take a good look at herself and her life choices.
Ruby is funny, somewhat charming and a bit of a mess as she tries to figure out why these men are dying while dealing with the aftermath of her past hookups. The show also has a bunch of quirky side characters, like Ruby’s best friend A.J. (Zosia Mamet), family, and others, all adding to the comedy and chaos.
A.J. and Ruby put together a timeline of her past hookups to warn her current lovers about what's coming and, hopefully, stop the deaths for good. Laid mixes dark humor and a bit of surreal storytelling, offering a cool mix of character-driven comedy and mystery.
Usually, in comedies like this, it’s the guys who are dealing with these kinds of situations, so it’s pretty refreshing to see the roles reversed. Hsu nails both sides of Ruby’s personality — the fun-loving side and the romantic softy — effortlessly. She makes Ruby feel real and relatable. Ruby’s just someone who’s had a few partners over the years, wants something more meaningful, and has to go through some serious struggles before she can get it.
Once Ruby starts showing some real personal growth, the story gets more intense, and the show starts to shine with its ensemble cast beyond just the two main characters. If there’s a second season (the ending definitely hints at one) I look forward to seeing what Ruby and friends do next.
Check out Laid, all episodes available now on Peacock.
