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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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Manda W. @hmohmoerectus Mar 18 Perfectly casted, amazingly talented cast. I liked the eerie openness of the ending, but those who want everything spelled out will be disappointed. See more Todd T @RT26021438 Mar 17 Meh. Acting was fine. Storyline, not so much. Too much teen angst. Too much people in identity crisis. Imo. See more Mike T @0u812 Mar 5 A show worthy of canceling your netflix See more Johnny B. @thatboyjb Mar 5 Cult horror. Was very good, I might’ve said “bro wtf is going on?” at least 3/4 times a episode. The ending left more to be desired especially with the separate storylines created. Hope it gets a season 2. See more TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Feb 5 Wayward is an incredibly engaging and creative series that keeps viewers fully invested from beginning to end. The show blends suspense, mystery, and emotional storytelling in a way that feels natural and consistently entertaining. Each episode builds tension while developing its characters, making it easy to stay connected to the story. The cast delivers strong performances across the board, bringing authenticity and energy to every role. The screenplay remains focused and well-structured, never drifting into unnecessary distractions or filler. The direction maintains strong momentum and atmosphere throughout the entire series. Riley’s disappearance serves as a powerful emotional turning point, shaping the characters’ journeys and driving the central mystery forward. Alex’s performance as the cop stands out, growing more compelling with each episode. Overall, Wayward is a thrilling, well-crafted, and highly addictive series that leaves viewers eager for more. See more Nate W. @rottnguts Jan 28 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 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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