Watch Shrill

Shrill is a critically acclaimed comedy-drama television series that premiered on Hulu in 2019, based on the memoir Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West. The show revolves around Annie Easton, a young overweight woman who is on a journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance in a world that is obsessed with body image and societal expectations. The show stars the talented Aidy Bryant as the lead character, Annie Easton, and features a diverse cast including Lolly Adefope, Luka Jones, Ian Owens, John Cameron Mitchell, and Julia Sweeney.

Annie Easton works at a local weekly newspaper in Portland, Oregon as a writer, where she struggles to get her voice heard under her snobby editor Gabe (John Cameron Mitchell). Her personal life is equally messy, as she is in a casual relationship with Ryan (Luka Jones), a hookup who never wants to acknowledge her in public, and is estranged from her mother (Julia Sweeney) who is racist and unsupportive of her life choices.

Throughout the show's three-season run, Annie tries to navigate through her personal and professional life, while dealing with a myriad of issues such as body shaming, fatphobia, sexism, and discrimination. The show depicts Annie's journey towards self-discovery and self-love, highlighting the importance of embracing one's flaws, standing up for oneself, and challenging societal norms.

One of the unique aspects of Shrill is that it portrays the realities of being overweight and the impact it has on one's life in a raw and authentic manner. The show portrays Annie's experiences and struggles in a way that is relatable and informative, for the audience, regarding how society perceives overweight people. The show addresses how society often views people who are overweight as lazy, unattractive, and lacking self-control. This can lead to feelings of low self-esteem and insecurity, causing people to question their worth and value.

The show does well to highlight the multiple dimensions of an overweight person’s life, which can range from societal expectations to personal relationships. In the show, Annie also tries to navigate her relationship with her best friend Fran (Lolly Adefope) who is also her roommate, who comes from a vastly different background than Annie. Despite this, the two characters have an incredibly strong friendship throughout the show, and their relationship serves to show the audience that diversity and love can exist even when we are vastly different.

An important factor that sets Shrill apart from any other series or movies on the topic of overweight people is the way it makes you question the reality of the industry that surrounds body image. This is most notably portrayed in season three when Annie gets a book deal with a publishing company that will work to transform her into a character more suited for mainstream consumption. The show addresses how the beauty industry and media can be pernicious and unaccommodating to people who don’t fit into traditional beauty standards. This is especially important for people directly affected by these industries, as it further highlights the urgency and necessity for change.

Many of the comedic elements in the show stem from Annie's quirkiness and her unwavering attitude towards life. She often finds herself in situations that are a little awkward or bizarre but presents herself in a way that showcases her immense optimism and love of life. The humor in the show is not always light, though, as it tackles issues that are significant and can be difficult to address.

In summary, Shrill is an impactful and thought-provoking show that offers insight and understanding into the realities of being overweight in a society that is fixated on appearance. The show portrays the main character Annie Easton's life with authenticity and honesty, highlighting the struggles that come with societal norms and expectations. It offers an insightful look into society and our tendency to judge people based on appearance, highlighting the stories of people who are often not seen in conventional media. The show offers laughs, but through its heartfelt messages, encourages viewers to embrace all aspects of themselves to find happiness and fulfillment.

Shrill is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (22 episodes). The series first aired on March 15, 2019.