Apple TV Plus to get Physical for a second season
The upcoming episodes will presumably continue the story of Sheila’s transformation from disgruntled housewife to VHS mogul
TV News Physical
In June, Apple TV+ launched Physical, a ten-episode dramedy starring Rose Byrne as a disillusioned San Diego housewife who finds validation by helping to build the 1980s aerobics video craze (evoking “feel the burn” memories from Jane Fonda’s real-life role in that creation). After reviews that called the show everything from “compelling but difficult” to “dark and caustic,” Apple TV+ announces today that Physical will return for second season. Our own review pointed out that the season left many unanswered questions, as “Physical appears to be banking on enough people actually wanting to revisit this show to continue on Sheila’s transformative journey. That’s a prospect that seems unlikely.” Well, we’ve been wrong before.
In a press release, Apple TV+’s director of domestic programming Michelle Lee said, “We couldn’t be more proud to showcase Annie Weisman’s singular take on this darkly funny, heartbreaking and bold story. And then we got to watch Rose Byrne inhabit this incredible, multi-layered character, giving us an unforgettable tour de force performance. We have been thrilled to see audiences around the world fall in love and feel seen by this show and we can’t wait for everyone to experience the next chapter in Sheila’s journey towards personal empowerment.”
The series has apparently been doing well enough in its weekly episode rollouts to clinch a second season. Those new episodes will presumably tell more of the story of Sheila’s transformation from housewife with an eating disorder to VHS mogul, as the entire series begins with a shot of a glamorous Sheila on the set of an exercise video. As the season draws to a close (the finale airs on August 6), she isn’t quite there yet. But the realization of her aerobics video dreams appears to be on the horizon.
12 Comments
I wouldn’t say it was bad, but it had an incredibly deliberate pacing that drifted into straight dragging at points. Once I looked at the episode count and realized that the season wasn’t going to end with the flash-forward, I was a bit more at peace with the show.
The finale airs on the 6th. Why would you guys publish plot details from an episode that hasn’t aired yet? That’s a little rude
I am so sorry, hadn’t realized that it hadn’t aired yet! Deleted above.
Thank you! Sorry I called you rude, that was uncalled for over a mistake
Totally understandable, imo
I like the show. It’s losing steam the farther away it gets from the pilot (and they are doing a piss poor job explaining why I should give a shit about that John Breem guy), which I guess is why reviewers who binged it all at once were so meh on it, but I am intensely rooting for Rose Byrne’s character. I relate to her inner monologue and eating disorder a lot. I think Rose Byrne is doing a fantastic job, so I’m glad it’s getting a second season.
I relate to the eating disorder monologue too. I haven’t seen it addressed this way before, but I lived it for too many years. Rose Byrne gives an excellent performance.
The best part of this show for me has been watching Rory Scovel come into his own as an actor. Crazy perfect casting and he’s really risen to the occasion.
That’s Rory Scovel? The way he’s always standing and walking I thought it was Rory Calhoun.
Thanks for spoiling the fucking ending, assholes! I know it’s no Mare of Easttown, but I’ve enjoyed the show for what it is and was looking forward to the finale this weekend. JFC
“Well, we’ve been wrong before.”“You don’t say?” – Ellie Kemper
Not a single character to root for in this mediocre show. I’m shocked they want more of it.