With twists and turns in every episode, the new Hulu thriller Paradise is the first great must-see of 2025.
Starring Sterling K. Brown as Secret Service agent Xavier Collins, the show opens in an idyllic community, where the President of the United States lives, and everyone seems to enjoy the splendor of the suburbs. When Collins goes to work one morning, he learns that the President has not come out of his room yet. This doesn’t follow the standard routine and when Xavier enters the presidential bedroom, lying on the floor in a pool of blood, dead, is President Cal Bradford. (Not a spoiler, it was in the commercial.)
Collins soon learns that there is more happening behind the scenes than what he knew, and while his relationship with Bradford was difficult at best, Collins wants to know who killed the president. When a billionaire power broker referred to as Sinatra seems to have a hand in every step of the investigation, Xavier Collins is about to learn of the forces he is up against. Can he trust anyone? When being questioned by a therapist named Gabriela and asked if he is happy that Bradford is dead, Gabriela reveals her hand with the words ‘Say Yes’ printed for Collins to say aloud. The death of a president is only the beginning to the intrigue of Paradise.
Sterling K. Brown is simply masterful in the role of Xavier Collins. He has the physical presence, the emotional range, and the air of a man who could easily be the protector of the president. Not only does Brown epitomize a Secret Service agent, his Xavier Collins symbolizes the standard character trope of being the one true honest man in a world filled with deceit. Though common in storytelling, the honest man motif is exceptionally layered with range thanks to Brown’s talent.
The viewers get to see Brown be the Secret Service agent, father to his kids Presley and James, friend, son, and citizen. Xavier Cross truly believes in doing the right thing, and when he is taken off the investigation, we see a man who is willing to combat the system that wants to cover things up. Sterling K. Brown makes every scene matter with one of the first great performances on the small screen in 2025.
While Xavier Cross is a model of the altruistic man with flaws, President Cal Bradford, played masterfully by James Marsden is one of the trickiest characters to pull off on the screen. Bradford is one of the richest men in the world who happens to become president. It would be easy for the audience to hate Bradford, and think he got his just deserts with his murder, but thanks to Marsden, we have empathy and can easily connect with this character.
The swagger and charisma that Marsden brings to the Bradford role is part Kennedy, Clinton, with a hint of George W. Bush. There are many things that Bradford says and does that are right and wrong, and mercifully we get to see Marsden on screen and bring Bradford to life through flashbacks. Though he is killed in the first five minutes of the show, viewers will be rewarded with a wonderfully textured performance by James Marsden. The audience may not always agree with Bradford’s choices, but finding justice for the slain president is crucial.
Julianne Nicholson completes the trifecta of perfect leads with her character Samantha Redmond. Also known by her codename ‘Sinatra’ Nicholson plays a shadowy multi billionaire who is good friends with President Bradford and wants to find his killer. Nicholson’s ‘Sinatra’ is another multi-faceted character who has depth and tragedy in her past, and a lot of power at her fingertips. ‘Sinatra’ is filled with a desire to protect her child, while at the same point, Sinatra has grown accustomed to getting her own way with very little consequence to her actions.
Rounding out the cast Jon Beavers plays Billy Pace, Collins’ partner, and friend. His work is crucial to the story, and Beavers manages to surprise this viewer with the level of depth that he brings to his supporting role. I still don’t know if I should like Pace or fear him.
Sarah Shai plays Gabriela the therapist to the president, and confident to Collins, Nicole Bloom is Jane Driscoll, another Secret Service agent who may know more than she is letting on, and finally, Gerald McRaney plays President Bradford’s father. He dominates the scenes he has with his son, and every show with Gerald McRaney is richer for his presence on the scene.
Paradise is one of those unique shows that comes along and relies exclusively on the power of the lead actor. Sterling K. Brown makes the show a must watch for anyone who enjoys sharply written multilayered stories.
Paradise premieres on Hulu January 28th.