Starstruck (2021–2023) User Reviews

Everything about this is not my style then why did I keep watching?

[skpn123 · 8/10 · 5 May 2021]

So not my genre, not cheesy, so cringey, so the type of comedy I do not find funny.....

Yet this show sucked me in like a vacuum after 5 minutes and spat me out at the end - it really is crazy, fun, well performed, unique and oh so well done.

Loved it!

[pixeprncss-675-10370 · 8/10 · 13 June 2021]

Today's version of Notting Hill! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, connected with the characters and laughed in almost every episode. Definitely worth a watch!

Fun watch

[karashuey · 9/10 · 13 June 2021]

It's a fun watch and couldn't help but watch it all within 24 hours!!! I laughed and really felt for the character in moments. Well written and light.

Spot-on

[Helebo · 10/10 · 25 April 2021]

This is really excellent.

Short, bite-sized episodes mean you can't help but watch the next one :-). Excellent writing by Rose Matafeo and the performances from her and the rest of the cast are perfectly pitched. Really well observed, genuinely funny and full of heart.

Brilliant

[svader · 9/10 · 25 April 2021]

Put it on and watch the series in one go.

Very funny.

Cold and Distant Stars

[owen-watts · 6/10 · 6 July 2021]

Rose Matafeo's sitcom debut is quite a shallow story on the surface - being entirely about an aimless twenty-something who becomes romantically entangled with a film star. The series takes place over a year and manages to be both frustratingly inconsistent and strangely compelling. Whereas it doesn't have the emotional depth of other similar comedies, Matafeo and Patel have solid chemistry and the smartly framed deflation of romantic tropes helps give the central premise some real life. The problem comes whenever they're apart - and the series often feels colder the further you get from Matafeo, with the surrounding characters barely getting much agency or story of their own outside of their relation to her - which makes you wonder where the much-touted second series might actually go. The great Al Roberts feels hugely underused and Minnie Driver (as Tom Kapoor's cynical agent) barely get a look in, which feels like a huge shame, and the whole thing is shot with this wildly abstract wide-screen lens which looks dead fancy but robs it of even more warmth. So, overall, not as charming as it could be, but an intriguing start.

Good job, Rose

[jaredd · 8/10 · 30 June 2021]

I'm not sure what it is about shows like this where everything revolves around the actress and they are also involved in the production, but I'm liking them a lot.

Basically the main actress is front and center the entire time which takes a lot of guts. On top of that they are involved with the writing and production of the show as well. So hats off.

The Flight Attendant and Russian Doll were similar and also totally worth your time.

Can't wait for season 2 of Starstruck and of course more Rose. Also a shout out to Emma and her character, so much fun!

Was intriguing ... but ran out of steam by episode 5.

[mandreasen2001 · 6/10 · 21 June 2021]

Was intriguing at first but then went nowhere fast.

As the episodes pile up so do the clichés. Every subsequent chance meeting between Tom & Jessie was shoehorned and contrived conveniently to time with the next cliff hanger misunderstanding.

Jessie is a likable enough character who devolves into a whining poor woman's Carrie Bradshaw slash William Thacker as the show devolves into a slow paced Gen Z Notting Hill wannabe episodic. The roles have been just slightly tweaked from Notting Hill to be considered a homage and not plagiarism as Tom (Nikeish Patel) takes on the famous actor amongst the "normal" folk characters.

I adore Rose Matafeo. She is captivating. Has a charm and charisma that is unique but ultimately her own material let's her down. Nikeish Patel is likable but after episode two he does not seem capable as a top level megastar.

The show deserves a second season to correct it's own mistakes and take the dramady to the next level, where Tom and Jessie prove they can take the next steps into adulthood.

I like that Tom may be less capable and mature than he originally put forth. The writers could use this as a dynamic struggle that leads to more internal conflict between Tom the reluctant movie star and Tom the serious actor.

I also like when Rose Matafeo took less than conventional chances with the characters. She too has so much evergreen space to expand the narrative of sudden fame and the struggle of two young lovers as they navigate the trappings of "Hollywood" as they struggle to maintain as mature as productive members of society.

Sophomore season will make or break this very intriguing yet so far flawed series.

Seasonal Love

[anil-kulkarni-108-85663 · 8/10 · 3 May 2021]

This turned out really well. The leads are charismatic and particularly the leading lady, Jessie, played by Rose is a hoot. Captures the confusion of dawning love all too well. Nikesh is a low key but an appropriate foil.

The supporting cast is great and nail their parts.

Must watch.

Will they? Won't they?

[Toodlebug500 · 6/10 · 5 May 2021]

The whole will they or won't they get together storyline gets old pretty quick, I found it all rather frustrating, didn't warm to the characters and most disappointingly, I didn't find it very funny.

It's very well made however with solid performances and a great soundtrack.

Excellent

[billybasset · 10/10 · 25 April 2021]

I foind this series very funny. Really worth a watch.

Absolutely wonderful series

[alrightlove3 · 7/10 · 27 April 2021]

Fantastic synergy between the characters, a simple but cute story line, not too much drama but just enough, just what I needed to see at the moment. Beautiful series and can't wait for season 2!

What Do They See In Each Other?!

[ElizaReview · 5/10 · 14 June 2022]

Jessie is your typical 'Messy Millennial Woman' and comes ready baked with all the tropes you'd expect from that stereotype. Casual jobs she's not really interested in? Tick. Chaotic dating pattern of her own making? Tick. Speaks her thoughts with no filter? Tick. Being impulsive, flaky, spontaneous and self-destructive? Tick, tick, tick. What does Tom see in her?!

And what does she see in him? He's pleasant enough but dull and boring with no discernible personality. His family seem great with bags of wit - why did he not inherit any of those genes? He's a famous film star, is that the attraction? Why would MMW be interested in that? Wouldn't MMW take that Cinderella idea and reject it for the nonsense it is?

And together they are a terrible couple. They lack chemistry which is one thing (though if they had that the show would be much, much better). But here are two adults completely incapable of having a normal conversation. Jessie, forward and brash in nearly all situations, is suddenly incapable of telling Tom she likes him and recognising, despite all the obvious signs, that he likes her. Instead, inexplicably, the baseline expectation is that the other one doesn't really want to be there and just wants an excuse to go home. Maybe that makes sense in the beginning but after they start 'seeing' each other it's still happening and it's just daft - they never seem anything other than strangers speaking different languages.

Nottingham meets Pretty Woman

[donnametcalfe25 · 9/10 · 28 April 2021]

Really funny and great acting. We definitely need more Britcom like this. Awkward and hilarious moments. I binge watched it and just wish there would be another series to watch.

!!!

[jackchristopheranderson · 10/10 · 29 April 2021]

Great show, loved it and genuinely laughed out loud a bunch of times. Really nicely written and filmed. Love how relatable it felt, the on screen chemistry was awesome too. Hope theres another season, was really getting into the characters?!

engaging but profoundly disappointing

[IMdber · 6/10 · 3 April 2022]

This series is engaging, the main character, quirky background and familiar hackney -- all is great.

I hated that this is such an old - time story, a poor girl meets a rich guy and somehow he turns out to be such a (knight on the white horse)(prince)(etc.) that he wins her over. Modern twist on this familiar tale in a male-dominant society? I guess it's millennial promiscuity of the main heroine.

However engaging and cute, you feel at the end that you were dragged into watching some 80s tv novella, and were tried to be tricked into thinking women really need those rich types to find a happy end.

Binge-watched in one sitting

[KayBee1000 · 9/10 · 2 June 2021]

I was hooked 5 minutes in, and binge-watched the whole series.

The humour is so finely balanced, and this series showcases some fantastically talented comedians/actors I hadn't seen on screen before.

Rose Matafeo and Alice Snedden are to be commended on writing such a funny, relatable script, and I loved Emma Sidi's over the top housemate. There are so many fantastic lines!

My only criticisms - it felt like Tom was the only one pursuing a relationship, putting himself out there and being vulnerable, as Jessie didn't seem to be that interested in him at times, and the misunderstandings/barriers that came between them got to be frustrating and a bit annoying over the series.

However, I've rewatched all episodes more than once, and quite often treat myself to a 'speed rewatch' where I just skip through each episode to watch my favourite bits!

Very excited for the second series, and hope we see Jessie and Tom dating and the reality of what that's like for a 'civilian'.

Oh, and Nikesh Patel is sooooo hot! That chest hair... yum.

Really liked the first season....

[jarcher-35341 · 6/10 · 9 February 2022]

The second season is a bit slow going. Very short on laughs and long as drawn out on the will they won't they plot. So far 3 episodes in and it just feels like re hashing the first season again without the fun parts.

Simply delightful

[bluesman-96747 · 8/10 · 25 March 2022]

This show has a typical British, no brain required, easy on the senses fun romp, where nothing is to be taken seriously and washes over you.

Even though, as is common with comedies, some of the content is absurd, it remains delightfully so, bringing a smile rather then a eye roll.

Rose has her own New Zealand charm and sensibilities that has so much innocence attached that just warms the cockles of the heart.

Roll on series 3.

Kind of OK. First season and half of second were ok

[therealhman · 7/10 · 26 June 2022]

The acting is good. The storyline is ok. Believability questionable. Another show that had 10 good episodes before dropping back into cliches. The girl getting a job with her old boy friend, making new boyfriend jealous is sooooo silly. Once the stupid silly things happen the magic of make believe is gone. Stopped watching half way into episode 12. The girl has no reason to be attracted to the boy and the boy has no reason to be attracted to the girl.

I gave it a 7 because the acting was good. Good enough at the beginning to carry the not believable story line.

She is a delight to watch

[putneychick · 8/10 · 25 December 2021]

Love this new series. She is such a character - so lovable, adorable and just a normal human being trying to live her life, with worts and whatever. Not sure if I can ever find the room mate that she has cos she is just amazing and funny. Overall, the script holds the conversations very well especially with the main character. The only thing which I cannot fathom is that the actor she is involved with appears to be a famous actor but yet he is so understated and just seems like any normal guy on the street! Felt so good after watching the whole series. Can't wait for season 2.

... lots of bigger name productions not as good

[bjarias · 7/10 · 25 February 2022]

... entire cast is very well suited.. she IS the show.. as rom-com's go it's not going to reach wide-acceptance, not looking to, but w/o doubt it does have its captivating-quirky-charm... how long it goes who-knows, yet its limited-loyal-audience will-be sure-to-follow.

Had potential, but story is thin...

[TheHound16 · 3/10 · 8 April 2022]

I'm nearly at the end of the first season, and while it's been mildly enjoyable, I think I've finally been able to pinpoint why this isn't fully working for me.

The biggest issue is that the entire series is about Jessie, every scene is her, and, every single character is purely written to either support or be in conflict with HER.

At least up to this point that I've watched, there isn't a single character (aside from the leads, but even so it's mostly just Jessie) that has a character arc, or is given any amount of proper time or development.

Tonally, I would best compare this to Fleabag, but the biggest different in style is that Fleabag had a lot of really interesting characters that were fully fleshed out, and went through plots and subplots of their own that weren't entirely revolving around the lead!

I'm fine with the overdone storyline (even though Notting Hill did it better in almost every way), but this show could have been far more enjoyable and less one dimensional if it weren't for, what I would consider, extremely amateurish writing.

Rose Matafeo... a comedy genius!

[verityjperry · 10/10 · 9 May 2021]

Loved this...light, honest & brilliantly funny. Perfect casting for it's time & a great Sunday afternoon binge watch. I hope to see more of Rose's work in the future.

One of the very few shows that made me laugh out loud when by myself

[Short_and_to_the_point · 10/10 · 18 July 2021]

This was so enjoyable. It was so funny, so real and very addictive. If you love a quirky romance situation, watch!!