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All my favorite shows would never exist if the two people having feelings for each other specifically communicated those feelings to each other in a clear and concise way. But what fun would that be? For Starstruck, no exception to this rom-com rule, there is plenty of other fun to be had.
Starstruck comes from creator and star Rose Matafeo, whose stand-up special Horndog was without a doubt one of the best things I watched last year. It’s currently streaming on HBO Max, along with the first season of this show, and you should go enjoy both right now. Go!
Matafeo stars as Jessie, a woman living in London who spends her time working multiple jobs and having dinner parties with her friends. One New Year’s Eve, she hooks up with a man she does not realize is a movie star, and the six episodes of Season 1 follow the year spent navigating her on/off relationship with him and…a few select others.
One of which we meet ever so briefly at the beginning of Episode 2, as Jessie’s gentleman friend kindly helps her climb out of his houseboat. As she walks away, she turns around to confirm, “We probably won’t see each other again, right?” and then skips off to Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack.” Starstruck knows: there is perhaps no better post-sex song. The scene is perfect, as Jessie high-fives a passing jogger and gets a round of applause from seated diners.
Matafeo is excellent throughout the entire show, as she portrays the multitudes of a modern woman with an authenticity (you know, because she is one) that makes this show so wonderfully watchable. Or really, rewatchable. Starstruck proves to be the epitome of a comfort watch. It’s lovely, funny, relatable, and just plain enjoyable. This show couldn’t come at a better time, just as we’re re-entering the world and reassessing who we are, who our friends are, who absolutely is and isn’t worth swiping right on. There’s a lightness to it that not a whole lot of other shows seem to be embracing at the moment, but one that really helps this series to flourish.
Of course, the rest of the cast here helps as well. Nikesh Patel as Tom the movie star is super charming, Emma Sidi as Jessie’s roommate Kate will make you want to move into the flat with them, and you already know Minni Driver makes the most of her appearance as Tom’s agent.
Ultimately, Starstruck is a romantic comedy that understands, respects, appreciates, and celebrates the genre, all while still carving out its own unique place in the category. Matafeo has learned from the best; she’s borrowing and paying tribute to her favorite aspects and also inserting her own fresh take. See: “Return of the Mack”. Walk of shame? Never heard of her! There’s an entirely non-judgemental vibe throughout the show; who we do or don’t like, the choices we make, how we support each other, and most importantly, how we treat ourselves. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this show, because just as all the best rom-coms promise, you will fall in love.
