Sharp Objects is the feminist True Detective we've been waiting for
On the surface, HBO’s new limited series Sharp Objects has all of the trappings of last summer’s massive hit Big Little Lies . Like BLL, Sharp Objects is an adaptation of a blockbuster novel (this time by Gone Girl's Gillian Flynn). It also brings a buzzy A-list actress, Amy Adams, to television after a string of Oscar-nominated film performances. To top it off, the two shows even share the same director: the famed Jean-Marc Vallée. Naturally, the Internet is here for this comparison.
One Vanity Fair headline wrote, “Sharp Objects Teaser: Meet Your Next Big Little Lies–Esque Obsession.” Sydney Sweeney, who plays a young, troubled girl from Preaker’s past, told Harper’s Bazaar, “Sharp Objects has that Big Little Lies feeling.” Comedy writer Brian Stack also joked about the similarities between the two shows on Twitter, writing, “After an HBO promo we just watched, my wife accidentally blended Big Little Lies and Sharp Objects into “Sharp Little Objects.” And I think it sounds like a damn good show.” US GLAMOUR made a similar assertion.
But after watching the premiere I don’t see any trace of Big Little Lies. It actually reminded me of an older prestige HBO show that once had similar buzz: True Detective.
While BLL focuses on the pain women face at the hands of men, in Sharp Objects and True Detective, darkness and evil lingers everywhere. And for the show’s two main characters—Amy Adams' Camille Preaker and Matthew McConaughey’s Rust Cohle, respectively—their darkness defines them.
Preaker is a motel bathtub-dwelling, vodka-swigging cutter. She’s a third-rate reporter for a newspaper so haunted by the death of her sister—which comes back to her in fast and overpowering flashes—that she’s only one foot in the present, the other in the past. McConaughey’s Cohle is similarly troubled. A down-and-out cop whose daughter died young in a car accident, he drinks to numb the memory—blocking off full days on his schedule to lock himself in his apartment and nurse a bottle of booze. He’s also a recovering drug addict prone to hallucinations.
And both find themselves at the center of murder cases: Sharp Objects traces Preaker’s return home to the tiny town of Wind Gap, Missouri to report on the death of two young girls, while the first season of True Detective follows the years Cohle spends trying to solve a serial murder case of women in New Orleans. Preaker and Cohle are loaners who pour their lives into these cases. They’ve never moved on from their past trauma, so they look to solve these cases as a form of absolution.
Much like how McConaughey was an unexpected choice for such a serious role (remember how it spurred the McConaissance?!), at first, Sharp Objects executive producer and writer Marti Noxon wasn't sure Adams had what it'd take to play Preaker. “When I talked to her about her interest I was like, ‘Camille isn’t sunny,’” she says. “Amy is just so sunny and has such sparkle. But then I was like, ‘Wait, that is Camille. That’s all of us who just hide it, who have these great coping mechanisms.”
Noxon, who’s known for depicting thorny, complicated women on her shows Dietland, UnREAL, and Girlfriends Guide to Divorce, set to work in the writer’s room alongside the novel’s author, Flynn, to perfect the on-screen version of Preaker. “Gillian’s one of the darkest, funniest, people I know. We met each other and were like, oh, we’re sisters from another mother, for sure,” Noxon explains. “We both deal with our demons in the same way, which is like you throw some humor in front of that. You deflect, you deflect, you deflect.”
This deflection came to inform Preaker’s character, who uses a lethal combination of flirtation and sarcasm—and long sleeve clothing—to hide her pain. “I’ve had to cope with mental health issues and addiction issues my whole life, and I just so related to this woman who was functional, yet hides all this hurt literally under her skin. The writing just came out like butter,” Noxon says.
Throughout the series Preaker uses all of her charms—and then some—to hide from her pain—but once she's back in Wind Gap, and faced with the murder of two girls around the same age as her deceased sister, her tricks start to evade her. Without offering any spoilers, it doesn't take long for people to catch on to her struggles, or for Preaker to succumb to her demons. Much like Cohle, the further she gets into the case, the harder it is to pull out of it.
This all isn't to say that the women of Big Little Lies don't have as much trauma as Preaker or Cohle—they certainly do. The show's women have dealt with abuse, disappointments, assault. But they're able to employ different coping mechanisms, like red wine, running, or throwing themselves into projects and more to deal with their pain, because they're also mothers, wives, and functioning members of society. Their hurt is just as real, but their lives are much richer than that of Preaker or Cohle, who only have their past and the pursuit of justice.
That's why this series is less a holdover until Big Little Lies comes back later this year—and much more the True Detective season two we were promised with Rachel McAdams, but the show failed to deliver. With Sharp Objects, finally, we have a truly feminist take on True Detective.
When is Sharp Objects in the UK?
Sharp Objects premiered at 2am on Monday 9th July on Sky Atlantic - don't worry if you missed it! They'll be re-running the all important first episode next Monday 16th July at 9pm.
Need something to keep you busy til Monday? Here are the best tv series of all time
1. Modern Family
Seasons: 7
Where: Netflix
Who: Sofia Vergara, Sarah Hyland, Eric Stonestreet, Julie Bowen, Ariel Winter, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Ty Burrell.
What: The mockumentary-style sitcom follows three endearing, dysfunctional families as they try to juggle the demands of being, well, modern families
2. Chewing Gum
Seasons: 2
Where: Netflix
Who: Michaela Coel
What: If you've been watching Michaela Coel's drama of the year I May Destroy You on BBC, now's a great time to revisit her BAFTA-winning comedy Chewing Gum, which has just dropped on Netflix. It follows Tracey who goes on a journey of sexual discovery after being raised in a strictly religious Tower Hamlets flat.
3. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Seasons: 2
Where: Amazon Prime
Who: Rachel Brosnahan
What: A mid-century housewife who seems to have it all by 1950s standards wants to break into the comedy circuit and sets her sights on a stand-up comedy career. Feminist LOLs at their best.
4. The Split
Seasons: 2
Where: BBC iPlayer
Who: Nicola Walker, Stephen Mangan and Annabel Scholey
What: I watched the entire two seasons in two days and I don’t regret a thing. Following a high-profile law firm in the city of London, The Split serves up sibling rivalry, affairs galore and the greatest work wardrobe inspiration you will ever need. You may invest in an evening law course after watching this, we warn you!
5. Hunters
Seasons: 1
Where: Amazon Prime
Who: Al Pacino and Logan Lerman
What: Brace yourselves as this will get so addictive you may not sleep tonight. A group of Nazi hunters discover that there a number of former Nazi officials living in 1970s America, so they take it upon themselves to prevent the officials creating a forth Reich.
6. Derry Girls
Seasons: 2
Where: All 4 and Netflix
Who: Nicola Coughlan, Saoirse Jackson, Dylan Llewellyn
What: Whilst it is set in the less than comical setting of Derry during the Irish Troubles in the mid-nineties, the behavior of the Derry Girls as they navigate teenage life and all the hilarious obstacles that comes with that is nothing short of comedic gold.
7. Gavin and Stacey
Seasons: 3 plus 2 Christmas Specials
Where: BBC iPlayer and Brit Box
Who: James Corden, Ruth Jones, Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Rob Bryne, Alison Steadman
What: Tracing the love story of a welsh girl, Stacey and her boyfriend, Gavin who resides in Essex this hilarious series will remind you not only of a simpler time but will give you all the escapist comedy you need.
HBO8. Succession
Seasons: 2
Where: Amazon Prime
Who: Hiam Abbass, Nicholas Braun, Brian Cox
What: Were you even living in 2019 if you didn't binge watch Succession? Britain's favourite new drama follows a billionaire global-media family and it serves up the drama and juice in spades.
Netflix9. Stranger Things
Seasons: 3
Where: Netflix
Who: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder
What: The mysterious Eleven and her gang must confront supernatural forces when people begin to disappear from the town of Hawkins.
10. Line of Duty
Seasons: 5
Where: BBC/Netflix
Who: Martin Compston, Vicky McClure, Adrian Dunbar
What: One of Britain's best-loved TV series returns for an epic fifth series. The crime-drama centred around police corruption previously focused on Roz's endeavours but Jedd Mercurio, the show's creator, said series 5 will be focused on the show's regular characters. YAAS.
11. Fleabag
Seasons: 2
Where: BBC 3
Who: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Clifford, Jenny Rainsford
What: The whole world fell in love with Fleabag when it graced our screens back in 2016, and now it is making its return for a much-anticipated second season. The sitcom, which is the brainchild of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, follows a young woman trying to navigate life in the big city whilst dealing with a recent tragedy. It’s hilarious, brilliant and jam-packed with epic one liners - there’s a reason Phoebe received a BAFTA for her performance.
12. Dynasty
Seasons: 2 - the 3rd is in the works.
Who: Elizabeth Gillies, Robert Christopher Riley, Rafael de la Fuente
What: Your new Netflix binge comes in the form of two of America’s wealthiest families battling over their fortunes.
Where: Netflix
13. Sex Education
Seasons: 2
Who: Gillian Anderson, Asa Butterfield, Emma Mackey, Ncuti Gatwa, Connor Swindells, Kedar Williams-Stirling
What: The teenage son of a sex therapist sets up his own under-the-radar sex therapy clinic with his classmate at a high school in Wales.
Where: Netflix
14. Queer Eye
Seasons: It's just returned for a fifth season and we are overjoyed.
Who: Bobby, Tan, Karamo, Jonathan and Antoni AKA the actual dream team
What: The Fab Five travel through Atlanta helping to improve the lives of the city's straight men. We're talking a full wardrobe, grooming, diet and home decor overhaul.
Where: Netflix, duh.
15. Power
Seasons: 6
Who: Omari Hardwick, Joseph Sikora, Naturi Noughton, Lela Loren
What: James ‘Ghost’ St Patrick juggles his double life as New York’s most notorious drug distributor and wealthy night club owner catering to the city’s elite.
Where: Head to Netflix for all 6 seasons.
16. Killing Eve
Seasons: 3
Who: Jodie Comer. The 25-year-old actress set for stardom after this killer performance.
What: Based on the Villanelle Novellas by Luke Jennings, this hit TV show follows a British security operative as she hunts down a highly skilled assasin. The tense game of cat-and-mouse will have you binging the whole series in a day.
Where: Head to BBC iPlayer to catch a piece of the action
Courtesy of Netflix17. Friends
Seasons: 10
Who: If you don't know their names, where have you been?! Courtney Cox, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Matt Le Blanc, David Schwimmer and Matthew Perry.
What: Six twenty-somethings navigate the city of New York and all the challenges life throws at them - your job's a joke, you're broke, your love life's D.O.A. , you know how it is. You'll be in creases, you'll be in tears, and you'll fall in love with six friends who help each other through thick and thin. The emotional events will make you take sides (were they on a break? ), leave you praying for that long-rumoured Friends reunion and not to mention, could the jokes BE any funnier?
Best for: Lounging in your pyjamas, lapping up the 90s nostalgia and quoting every single word.
Where: Stream all 10 season on Netflix or buy on Amazon
PA Photos18. Gossip Girl
Seasons: 6
Who: Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Ed Westwick, Penn Badgley, Chace Crawford</a>
What: Narrated by Kristen Bell, Gossip Girl is a dizzying, glamorous peek into life in New York's affluent Upper East Side. The show centres around love, friendship, heartbreak and, yes, gossip. Warning: You will head over heels in love with the Motherchucker that is Chuck Bass.
Best for: Lovers of teenage angst, New York City skylines and stylish wardrobes. Oh, and Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) has some of the best bitchy one-liners – take notes!
Where: Stream all 6 season on Netflix or buy on Amazon
Rex Features19. Dexter
Seasons: 8
Who: Michael C Hall
What: A forensic blood-splatter analyst by day, and a vigilante serial killer at night - this is one fantastically twisted (and gory) show.
Best for: Viewers who don’t scare too easily
Where: Buy the box set on Amazon
Rex Features20. Mad Men
Seasons: 7
Who: Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, January Jones
What: Set in an1960s advertising agency, Mad Men is not only a joy to behold visually, it’s a fascinating insight in the 60s socio politics (read: sexism).
Best for: Watching alone with a tub of ice-cream
Where: Stream all 7 season on Netflix or buy on Amazon
Rex Features21. Sex And The City
Seasons: 6
Who: Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon
What: The lives and loves of our four favourite friends in the Big Apple has brought us so much joy – from the very first season, where the characters actually talked to camera, to the agonising 'Big or Aidan?’ years, and the final sentimental season. A true classic.
Best for: Days when you need cheering up, or want fashion inspo
Where: Buy the box set on Amazon
22. Orange Is The New Black
Seasons: 7
Who: Taylor Schilling, Laura Pepron, Uzo Aduba, Natasha Leone, Ruby Rose
What: A white, middle-class woman winds up in prison, where she has to navigate the gangs, guards and general gruesomeness of jailhouse life. As the seasons unfold we learn more about her fellow inmates and their lives before they were banged up.
Best for: Multiple kickass female characters
Want more feminist shows to watch? We've found the best
Where: Watch it on Netflix or buy the box set on Amazon
23. House Of Cards
Seasons: 6
Who: Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright
What: A slick US remake of the British political drama, Spacey plays Frank Underwood, a devious, power-hungry politician who will stop at nothing to get to the Oval Office. Robin Wright-Penn is incredible as Claire, his equally scheming wife.
Best for: Fast dialogue, amazing twists, improving your knowledge of US politics
Where: Watch it on Netflix or buy the box set on Amazon
HBO24. Game Of Thrones
Seasons: 8
Who: Kit Harrington, Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage, Lena Heady
What: Based on the best-selling fantasy book series by George R. R. Martin, GOT boasts a huge ensemble cast and a hugely complicated plot. But it’s a must watch – arguably the biggest show on television on the planet right now – for its cinematic production values, tour de force performances, outrageous amounts of nudity/graphic violence, and those WTAF moments.
Best for: Keeping your mind agile. Trying to recall every character’s name and stay up to speed with every plot twist is akin to televisual Sudoku
Where: Buy the series on Amazon
Rex Features25. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Seasons: 7
Who: Sarah Michelle Gellar, David Boreanous, Alison Hannigan
What: The much-loved fantasy show from the 90s saw Buffy’s rise from schoolgirl to fearless vampire slayer. As her Scooby gang grows (witch, werewolf, vampire) the character developments make it impossible to walk away from.
Best for: Nostalgia. We recommend a second viewing. And if it's your first time – lucky you!
Where: Buy the series on Amazon
Read: What Buffy taught me about feminism
Channel 426. Homeland
Seasons: 7
Who: Claire Danes, Damien Lewis, Mandy Patinkin
What: This gripping thriller (still ongoing) takes us deep into the heart of the CIA, breaks our hearts, shocks us and spits us out. Regularly.
Best for: Monday night distraction. Marvelling over Claire Danes' crying-face
Where: Buy seasons 1-5 and season 6 on Amazon... we know, annoying they haven't come out with a COMPLETE box set yet...
Rex Features27. Breaking Bad
Seasons: 5
Who: Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn
What: Possibly the best TV show ever – not least because we just simply didn’t see it coming. A teacher who discovers he has cancer sets about developing a batch of crack to fund his chemo. From there, every dark and dank corner of the drug world is visited and the transformation of our protagonist is epic.
Best for: Do not attempt to start Breaking Bad without first clearing your diary for at least month. Yep – its that good.
Where: Stream it on Netflix or buy the complete series on Amazon
28. Peaky Blinders
Seasons: 5
Who: Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory
What: Gangster family epic set in Birmingham, 1919. Super stylish - and violent - the BBC drama is up there with an HBO budget-buster.
Best for: Mixing up all those US series with some homegrown grittiness
29. Grey's Anatomy
Seasons: 13
Who: Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh
What: A medical drama that takes melodrama to the max, from the genius that is Shonda Rhimes. Starting with Dr Meredith Grey (Pompeo) has a surgical intern we follow her and her friends, lovers and colleagues as they grow up, fall in and out of love, and become super-surgeons. We defy you not to be moved to tears by some of the heart-wrenchign patients and cases they deal with. Plus these doctors face A LOT of life and death situations. An abnormal amount. But still, there’s a reason why it’s still pulling in millions of viewers 13 reasons in.
Best for: Emotionally overwrought viewing. Great soundtrack, too
30. Suits
Seasons: 9
Who: Gabriel Macht, Patrick J. Adams
What: This legal drama centres on the lives of hot-shot lawyer Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht) and college drop-out Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams). On paper Mike Ross is bad news, but Harvey sees something special in him and asks him to join the law firm. There’s only one problem: He isn’t actually a lawyer.
Best for: Watching with the boy – all guys love Harvey Specter. And all women – for obvious reasons.
31. Desperate Housewives
Seasons: 8
Who: Terri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria
What: Comedy/drama set in the fictional Wisteria Lane, where not a season goes by without a murder of some sort. As the series develops our relationships with the characters grow stronger and by season eight it’s hard to say goodbye.
Best for: Pure, unadulterated fun
32. Friday Night Lights
Who: Kyle Chandler, Taylor Kitsch, Connie Britton, Minka Kelly, Michael B. Jordan
What: Chronicling the high and lows of East Dillon High’s football team and their coach, Eric Taylor - even if you think American Football isn’t your bag, we guarantee this show will change your mind. And as for resident bad boy, Tim Riggins... be still our beating hearts.
Best for: People who are in search for a grittier, sexier, slightly less annoying version of Dawson’s Creek
33. Nashville
Seasons: 6
Who: Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton, Sam Palladio
What: Drama meets country music: the show centres around the Queen of Country Rayna Jaymes (Connie Britton) and the young upstart on her heels Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere). The music is amazing, the costumes are great, and the complex romantic storyline have you hooked.
Best for: A sing-a-long
34. Pretty Little Liars
Seasons: 7
Who: Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, Shay Mitchell, Troian Bellisario
What: This American teen drama has all the tortured angst of The O.C.> with the whodunnit fun of CSI. Who is the mysterious ‘A’ that is taunting our circle of teenage girls?
Best for: If you love a murder mystery - with a side order of female friendship - this is for you
Rex Features35. The O.C.
Seasons: 4
Who: Mischa Barton, Adam Brody, Rachel Bilson, Benjamin McKenzie
What: The show that made us desperately want to be teens in LA - with all it’s tanned surfers and amazing pool houses (rather than the pigeon-shit splattered bus stop where we drank our cider in miserable old Blighty). ‘Bad boy’ (i.e. poor) Ryan is adopted by the wealthy Cohens, and upsets the shiny world of Orange County’s beautiful people.
Best for: Hangover days with your (female) housemates
36. The Handmaid's Tale
Seasons: 3
Who: Elisabeth Moss, Joseph Fiennes, Samira Wiley, Alexis Bledel and Yvonne Strahovski.
What: Based on Margaret Atwood’s best-selling novel, the series is set in the fictional future following the characters of Gilead, a totalitarian society that used to be labelled the United States. The ruling fundamentalist regime treats the female characters as property of the state and with a rife infertility problem, women who are able to reproduce are forced into sexual servitude at the service of unfertile families, making them Handmaids. One such woman, Offred becomes the protagonist to the action with terrifying flashbacks to her previous life and the daughter who was taken from her.
Best For: The parallels to the current political climate are evident and will certainly get you thinking whilst you hold your head in your hands watching.
37. Big Little Lies
Seasons: 2
Who: Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Shailene Woodley, Laura Dern and Zoe Kravitz
What: Following the lives of the women of Monterey, a seemingly peaceful and perfect beachside town in California, Big Little Lies tells the tales of what actually happens behind public veneers. At the school gates gossip ensues about husbands and wives, friends and neighbors with fractured relationships making for tear jerking drama and comedy.
Best For: Female empowerment, you can’t get more bad ass than this cast.
38. The Crown
Seasons: 2, soon to be 3
Who: Claire Foy, Matt Smith, Vanessa Kirby, Matthew Goode and John Lithgow
What: Following the family behind the crown and the woman behind the political climate, The Crown chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II. With six set seasons the actors portraying each cast member will be change every two seasons as the storylines edge closer to the modern day.
Best For: Making you feel regal AF – you will be talking the Queen’s English in real life AND throwing put downs from the hip all day long a-la Princess Margaret.
39. The Nest
Seasons: 1
Where: BBC iPlayer
Who: Martin Compston, Sophie Rundle and Mirren Mack
What: When a wealthy couple can't conceive a baby naturally they employ a girl to be their surrogate. Starring Martin Compston of Line of Duty fame, this one-off drama has more twists and turns than a rollercoaster.
40. The Assassination of Gianni Versace
Seasons: 1
Where: Netflix
Who: Darren Criss, Penelope Cruz and Ricky Martin
What: The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is the second season of the true crime anthology television series American Crime Story following the serial killer who murdered the fashion designer, Gianni Versace. It's gripping and shocking in equal measure.
41. How To Get Away With Murder
Seasons: 6
Where: Netflix
Who: Viola Davis. Need we mention anyone else?
What: The Queen and Oscar winner, Viola Davis, plays Annalise Keating, a criminal defence lawyer and professor who teaches a group of law students who become tragically interlinked when a murder takes place. It's Viola doing what she does best, serving us pure drama.
42. Schitt's Creek
Seasons: 6
Where: Netflix
Who: Daniel Levy, Eugene Levy, Annie murphy, Catherine O'Hara
What: A rich family loose everything and must move to the last remaining piece of real estate they have: a somewhat questionable town called Schitt's Creek. The lols are high and the performances from the cast, namely,Catherine O'Hara and her one liners, is nothing short of side splittingly good!
43. Scandal
Seasons: 7
Where: Amazon Prime Video
Who: Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Ballamy Young, Scott Foley
What: If you haven't watched this before prepare to become so obsessed with Olivia Pope you will want to be her. Scandal follows Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope who, as the former media consultant for the President of the United States, starts her own crisis management firm and she's never short of a high profile client or two. Juicy.
44. The Sopranos
Seasons: 6
Where: Now TV
Who: James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Lorraine Braco
What: Often hailed as one of the best TV shows ever made, The Sopranos's protagonist is New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, and the show follows his struggles as a professional mobster and as a family man.
45. The Affair
Seasons: 5
Where: Now TV
Who: Dominic West, Maura Tierney, Ruth Wilson, Joshua Jackson
What: Noah Solloway (West) is a struggling novelist but happily married man with four kids – until he meets Alison Bailey (Wilson), a waitress in Montauk, New York. Their affair will change the course of their lives – and of those around them – forever.
46. The West Wing
Seasons: 7
Where: All 4
Who: Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, Allison Janney
What: The West Wing is often hailed as one of the best TV shows of all time, and all 7 seasons are available to watch on All 4. It takes a look inside the lives of staffers in the West Wing of the White House.
47. The End Of The F***ing World
Seasons: 1 (the second drops on 4th November!)
Where: Netflix
Who: Jessica Barden, Alex Lawther
What: 17-year-old James is pretty sure he's a psychopath. Then he meets Alyssa, the dark, moody new girl at school who actually seems to get him. What happens when a budding psychopath and an angsty teen go on a road trip together, in search of said angsty teen's real father? You'll find out.
