Kid Sister (2022)

-Written by Michelle Vorob.

Kid Sister is a quirky, charming dramedy series, created and written by Simone Nathan. Nathan, who also stars in the series, plays Lulu, a 30-ish-year-old woman I would initially describe as a girl, rather than a woman. The term “failure to launch” kept coming to mind as I was watching. The important distinction, however, is that Lulu falls into an extreme minority in her home of Auckland, New Zealand. She is one of roughly 2,600 Jews in a city with a population of over 1.5 million people. Despite Auckland being the most populated & diverse city and almost 45% not declaring any religious affiliation, the pressure on Lulu by her family to date and marry within her faith is intense.

This is the framework that sets up the intertwining storylines in Kid Sister, as Lulu is secretly dating her long-time, “on-again, off-again” Gentile friend/boyfriend Ollie (Paul Williams), her real-life husband, BTW. Lulu has found out she is pregnant and is keeping it from her family and, more importantly, is keeping it from Ollie.

Her older brother, Leo, played by her real-life brother, Joe Nathan, is married and has yet to have any children, as there's a fertility issue. This is a sore point with Joe's high-strung, American wife, Bec (Kira Josephson). Lulu and Bec already have a strained relationship, which just makes Lulu want to keep her pregnancy a secret all the more.

Additionally, under the pressure to conform, Lulu has made up a fake Jewish boyfriend in an attempt to keep her family's questions and pressure under control. Her dad, Siggy (Jeff Szusterman), is kind and loving, but insistent she marry within the faith. Her mother, Keren (Amanda Billing), is high-maintenance and all about image. Think “Moira Rose” from Schitt’s Creek. 

I was initially going to say Kid Sister wasn't for me; however, it grew on me quickly as I got to know Lulu and her situation. While I would not have made the same life choices as Lulu, that obviously doesn't diminish her story and her decisions. This first season shows Lulu starting to mature and become more of an adult. 

I haven't seen the second season of Kid Sister, and there are not yet any confirmed additional seasons, but I can tell you I would like to see what happens in season 2, as I became invested in Lulu and what she was going through. Nathan plays Lulu with heart and honesty. I felt for her and am curious to know how things work out in season 2 of Kid Sister. 

Season 1 of Kid Sister is five episodes, roughly 20 minutes each. 

Directed by Aidee Walker.

Written by Simone Nathan. 

Starring Simone Nathan, Paul Williams, Amanda Billing, Jeff Szusterman, Joe Nathan, Kira Josephson, Peter Hayden, Roxie Mohebbi, Ari Boyland, etc.

7.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING