As a relative giant in the entertainment world, Netflix is no stranger to roping some of the industry’s most storied names into their many shenanigans, whether it’s a make-or-break Jeff Goldblum typecast, or recruiting the one and only Arnold Schwarzenegger to hype up the streamer’s action thrillers.
Speaking of thrillers, the Spanish psychological mystery series Muted has been flying high alongside Netflix’s latest franchise branch-out XO, Kitty, while one of the heaviest hitters in the history of the streaming service (which also happens to be a video game adaptation, no less) is confirmed to still be alive and well.
‘XO, Kitty’ dominates the Netflix charts, proving that rom-com franchises have some steady legs
The My Big Fat Greek Wedding developments may suggest otherwise, but the rousing viewership numbers of XO, Kitty, a television spinoff of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before films, proves that cinematic universes can thrive under the romcom umbrella.
The series, in which protagonist Kitty Covey ventures to South Korea to rekindle her long-distance relationship, rocketed to the top of the Netflix charts in 39 countries, also marks the first time that an episodic Netflix spinoff has originated from one of the streamers’ own original films.
Jeff Goldblum as Zeus is a no-brainer, and could make or break Netflix’s future in fantasy
Netflix doesn’t exactly have the warmest history with the fantasy genre, with Lockwood & Co. being the latest in a long line of premature fantasy series cancellations from the streamer, so all hopes are riding on the upcoming Kaos, a mythological dark comedy series, to breathe some life back into that relationship. Their lynchpin? Casting Jeff Goldblum as the king of the Greek gods, Zeus.
Indeed, roping the Jurassic Park legend into the role of Zeus is enough to pique anyone’s interest, but whether it will be enough to result in a break from Netflix’s fantasy curse remains to be seen.
‘Arcane’ is still on the way, and it’s going to sound magnificent
One Netflix fantasy series that did manage to score another season is Arcane, the animated, episodic epic based on Riot Games’ titanic MOBA League of Legends. While we haven’t heard much in the way of news since Jinx’s last attack on Piltover, showrunner Christian Linke has assured us, in the smallest way possible, that season two hasn’t been forgotten about.
Would it have been nice to get more than an update on what’s apparently a “very special” soundtrack? Yes. Are we still head-over-heels excited for more episodes of the best-reviewed Netflix series ever, regardless of how much longer we have to wait? Also yes.
A Spanish psychological mystery thriller series proves to be a solid investment from Netflix
Mystery thrillers always tend to do well for Netflix, and Muted has turned out to be no exception, with the Spanish-language miniseries having broken into the streamer’s Top 10 in 72 different countries.
The series stars Arón Piper (Elite) as Sergio, a young man who has not spoken a word since he murdered his parents as a minor over six years ago. Now a free man and still committed to silence, it’s up to young psychologist Ana Dussel to uncover the truth of his mysterious story.
Netflix welcomes their newest (and first) Chief Action Officer in Arnold Schwarzenegger
A man of Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s on-screen pedigree should never have any trouble finding work, and his newest job as Netflix’s Chief Action Officer just might be the most fitting gig he’s ever landed.
It’s not a real job, of course, but you can’t just toss Arnold in front of a Netflix action thriller sizzle reel without adding a bit of cheeky zhuzh, and the legendary actor, whose upcoming series FUBAR was included in the aforementioned promo piece, sold it to perfection.