‘Maid’ Creator Molly Smith Metzler Takes on Class in America Once Again With ‘Sirens’ as She Renews Netflix Deal (EXCLUSIVE)

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I’m thrilled to share that after the phenomenal success of her critically acclaimed, award-winning, and virally popular limited series “Maid,” which has taken the world by storm on TikTok, Molly Smith Metzler is set to unveil her next masterpiece this Thursday. The highly anticipated dark comedy miniseries “Sirens,” starring Meghann Fahy and the legendary Julianne Moore, will be available exclusively on Netflix. I can’t wait to see what magic she weaves with this captivating story!

The series titled “Elemeno Pea,” originally penned by Metzler herself, is being developed, scripted, and overseen by Metzler under her production company Quiet Coyote, which has recently extended its overall contract with Netflix. Additionally, the team behind it includes Margot Robbie’s LuckyChap production house.

Speaking with EbMaster, Metzler expressed gratitude for their ongoing collaboration with Netflix following the success of ‘Maid’. Remarkably, the same team that worked on ‘Maid’ remains at Netflix, offering a comfortable familiarity as they have since produced two shows together.

She went on to say: “What I adore about working with Netflix is that we’ve developed side by side, and they provide the freedom to produce work with a unique perspective. Currently, there’s a lot of expectation among streaming services to simply replicate success. However, I didn’t want to create a murder mystery series set in Nantucket, but if I were to, I wanted it to be remarkably distinct, offering a fresh take and something unexpected and groundbreaking. Fortunately, Netflix embraces this approach and encourages it. Additionally, I appreciate that Netflix isn’t hesitant to employ women, which is truly commendable about them. When we have our meetings, the majority of participants are women, which aligns perfectly with my team and me.

The TV series “Maid,” starring Margaret Qualley, gained significant popularity when it premiered on Netflix in 2021, and has since experienced additional peaks of success in subsequent years. This resurgence in interest appears to be partly driven by TikTok users who edited and shared the entire show in 10-minute segments on the platform. These clips have sparked curiosity among viewers, encouraging them to return and watch the full series on Netflix.

Metzler stated that the show seems to have re-emerged and returned to Netflix’s Top 10 list, either last summer or the one before. A part of this is because it resonates deeply with many people. In fact, when it was released in October 2021, it received a record number of calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline in a single month. This suggests that viewers find themselves reflected in it, and we’re discussing something that’s difficult to define. I believe this show resonates with both young and old audiences because, unfortunately, we all know someone who experiences abuse, and it provides an accurate portrayal of such situations on screen.

Metzler’s latest series, titled “Sirens,” shares thematic resonances with “Maid.” The author is deeply committed to exploring the intricacies of social class in America, comparing herself to a relentless dog that won’t let go of a bone when it comes to this theme in her creative endeavors.

Over the span of a weekend at a luxurious island mansion, the story “Sirens” unfolds as Devon (Fahy) expresses concern about her sister Simone’s (Milly Alcock from “House of the Dragon”) unusual bond with her new employer, the mysterious socialite Michaela Kell (Moore). Michaela’s seductive lifestyle akin to an addictive substance has a grip on Simone, and Devon believes it’s high time for an intervention. However, she underestimates the formidable challenge that Michaela will present.

Metzler expressed his strong fascination towards the realm of extremes, stating, “That world captivates me deeply.” He further explained that the series ‘Maid’ presents an underrepresented perspective, while ‘Sirens’ delves into the opposite spectrum. Having had personal experience as a waitress, he was eager to explore this domain more profoundly. His interests lie in examining class and socioeconomic structures, questioning whether one can alter their origin or social standing within the country, themes that continually resonate with him.

Metzler explains that the series “Sirens” is centered around themes of desperation and trauma, exploring what it’s like to mature without certain things. She notes that many viewers will find aspects of the show relatable, especially now, as people are transitioning from daily news consumption.

Metzler acknowledges that “Sirens” may benefit from a TikTok-style format when it premieres, making it simpler for viewers to break down episodes from five parts instead of the ten in “Maid”. She recommends watching it on the platform due to its enhanced visual quality and more engaging experience that you might find hard to watch in 10-minute chunks, describing it as a “more enjoyable” viewing experience.

Metzler remarked, “Contrary to appearances, ‘Sirens’ is unlike any Nantucket show you’ve seen before. While it may share similarities in appearance with these beloved series, its tone is entirely unique and unparalleled. There’s no clear comparison for this show, making it quite intriguing. I’m eager to see the buzz it generates at the end. The finale promises a wealth of discussion topics, so I look forward to witnessing the lively debates on TikTok.

In contrast to “Maid,” which propelled the rising star Qualley, this series stands out as it features two well-established actors, Fahy and Moore, taking the lead roles.

Metzler stated that we initiated the character selection process with Devon. Devon plays a crucial role in this narrative, serving as both the skeleton and the heart of the story. She’s a challenging character because she can be tough to like, as she’s sarcastic and harsh, but also funny and going through a deep emotional turmoil. Therefore, finding the right actress for Devon was challenging due to the need for someone who could blend comedy and drama effectively. Meghann Fahy managed this task brilliantly, and she was an absolute joy to work with. Furthermore, she brought so much to the role, displaying a wide range of emotions effortlessly. Essentially, Meghann Fahy was our ideal choice for Devon.

In this production, Fahy’s character Devon is paired with Moore as Michaela. According to Metzler, “Michaela seems to be a role Julianne was born to play. We couldn’t envision anyone more suitable for the part. And when she first appeared on set on day one, we were all taken aback, saying ‘Wow, she exudes such cold, powerful energy.’ However, throughout the series, her character undergoes a significant transformation and she delves into places of intense emotion.

The show additionally features Kevin Bacon playing Peter Kell, Glenn Howerton as Ethan Corbin III, Bill Camp in the role of Bruce DeWitt, and Felix Solis portraying Jose.

With the upcoming launch of “Sirens”, Metzler has already begun work on new projects for Netflix. Interestingly, this time, she’s eager to create an extended or ongoing series.

What I’m genuinely thrilled about is delving deeper into this area. It’s amusing yet fitting because I have the most practice in it now. My beginnings were in television writing, where I contributed to numerous seasons of ‘Shameless’, ‘Casual’, and ‘Orange Is the New Black.’ Given my background, it feels organic for me to gravitate towards recurring characters. However, the unique aspect of ‘Maid’ and ‘Sirens’ being contained stories has made this transition a bit unusual. Nonetheless, I can’t wait to explore an ongoing space and I’m actively seeking new opportunities in that direction.

Metzler’s career took off significantly, owing largely to frequent producer John Wells (“Shameless”), who has provided guidance and support throughout her journey and continues to produce projects with her. Now that she has renewed her contract with Netflix, Metzler feels she can return the favor and help others as well.

As I prepare to renew my professional bond, I’m thrilled at the prospect of emulating the impact John Wells had on me – by nurturing fresh talent and shaping their vision into a successful TV series. I can’t wait to embark on this journey, executive producing shows while allowing others to be the creative force behind them. I’m eagerly looking forward to starting down this new path.

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2025-05-19 21:17