June 18, 2021 (2021-06-18) – September 27, 2023 (2023-09-27)
Physical is an American comedy-drama television series created by Annie Weisman. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on June 18, 2021. In August 2021, the series was renewed for a second season ahead of its first season finale, which premiered on June 3, 2022.[1][2] In August 2022, the series was renewed for a third season.[3] In May 2023, it was announced that the third season would be the final season and would premiere on August 2, 2023.[4]
Rose Byrne as Sheila D. Rubin, a housewife struggling between her straining marriage, lifelong battle with bulimia, and newfound obsession with aerobics
Rory Scovel as Danny Rubin, Sheila's eco-conscious and liberal husband
Paul Sparks as John Breem, a conservative Mormon mall owner who begins an affair with Sheila
Della Saba as Bunny Kazam, an aerobics instructor and Tyler's girlfriend (seasons 1-2; guest season 3)[a]
Lou Taylor Pucci as Tyler, a surfer and Bunny's boyfriend (seasons 1-2; guest season 3)[a]
Dierdre Friel as Greta Hauser, a housewife who becomes Sheila's best friend and business partner
Geoffrey Arend as Jerry Goldman, an old friend of Sheila and Danny who becomes Danny's campaign manager (season 1; guest seasons 2 & 3)[b]
In January 2020, it was reported that Apple was nearing a series order for Physical, created and written by Annie Weisman, with Tomorrow Studios set to produce.[6] In December 2020, Craig Gillespie, Liza Johnson, and Stephanie Laing were announced as directors for the series, with Gillespie set to direct the pilot episode.[7] The series is a half-hour long and consists of ten episodes.[8]
On August 4, 2021, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a second season.[1] On August 11, 2022, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a third season.[3]
Filming for the first season began in November 2020 and ended in March 2021. The second season began filming in November 2021 and ended in March 2022.[citation needed]
Release
The series premiered on June 18, 2021, on Apple TV + globally with the first three episodes available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis, every Friday.[12] The second season premiered on June 3, 2022.[2] The third and final season was released on August 2, 2023.[4]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 65% based on 51 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.40/10. The website's critical consensus reads:
"Not even a magnetic performance from Rose Byrne can save Physical from its exhausting parade of unpleasant characters and plot choices."[13]
On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 60 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[14]
German online magazine Spiegel was delighted and pointed out the difference between American and European reception:
"...that snarky social satire pitches into body cult and consumeristic insanity to our veritable pleasure; American critics were rather appalled – without any reason."[15]
The second season has an approval rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 11 critic reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads:
"Rose Byrne's blood, sweat, and tears are finally given a worthy bedrock as Physical finds its gyrating groove in this much-improved sophomore season."[16]
The third and final season has an approval rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 14 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads:
"Physical packs it in with a final season that, much like a good workout, is bracing but pays off with a satisfying endorphin rush."[17]
Notes
^ abSaba and Pucci appear in the series finale, credited as main cast members
^Arend appears in only one episode of season 2 although credited as a main cast member
^Kaever, Oliver (2021-06-18). "Nur das Äußere zählt". Spiegel. At 16:34: 'Die giftige Gesellschaftssatire »Physical« macht sich über Körperkult und Konsumgier her, dass es eine wahre Freude ist. Amerikanische Kritiker waren eher erschreckt – völlig zu Unrecht.'
