A Mother’s Suspicion: New Series “The Girlfriend” Explores the Dark Side of Parental Instinct
A new psychological thriller, “The Girlfriend,” debuted in 2025 and is already generating discussion about the lengths to which a mother will go to protect her son. The six-episode mini-series, starring Robin Wright and Olivia Cooke, centers on Laura Sanderson, whose seemingly idyllic life is thrown into turmoil when her son, Daniel, introduces his new girlfriend, Cherry Laine.
According to the series’ synopsis, Laura quickly becomes suspicious of Cherry, believing she may be hiding something. Her determination to uncover the truth, and protect Daniel, leads to a spiral of increasingly controlling and potentially paranoid behavior. The central question posed by the show is whether Laura’s caution is justified, or if she’s succumbed to unfounded fears.
Robin Wright portrays Laura Sanderson, the mother at the heart of the drama. Olivia Cooke plays Cherry Laine, the girlfriend who triggers Laura’s anxieties. The cast also includes Laurie Davidson as Daniel Sanderson, Waleed Zuaiter as Howard Sanderson, Karen Henthorn as Tracey Laine, Tanya Moodie as Isabella Russell-Bailey, and Shalom Brune-Franklin as Brigitte Russell-Bailey. Anna Chancellor, Marina Bye, Nicholas Burns, Naomi Sheldon, Stephenson Ardern-Sodje, Virginia Nölting, and Leo Suter also feature in supporting roles.
The series, rated TV-MA, has garnered a 7.2/10 rating on IMDb, with over 21,000 user ratings as of . It’s described as a psychological drama that delves into themes of control, suspicion, and the complexities of family relationships.
Available on Prime Video, “The Girlfriend” is being marketed as a “juicy” thriller. The plot revolves around Laura’s initial contentment – a successful career, a loving husband, and a close relationship with her son – being disrupted by Cherry’s arrival. The series explores the possibility that Cherry is a manipulative figure, but also leaves open the question of whether Laura’s fears are simply a product of her own anxieties.
The series is comprised of six episodes, each approximately 50 minutes in length. Trailers released prior to its debut highlighted the tension and suspense at the core of the narrative, hinting at a story where appearances are deceiving and the truth is elusive.
While the series itself doesn’t directly address the broader cultural context, its exploration of a mother’s protective instincts and the potential for misjudgment resonates with ongoing conversations about trust, boundaries, and the challenges of modern relationships. The show’s success, as measured by its IMDb rating and availability on a major streaming platform, suggests a strong audience interest in these themes.
