When HBO Max was purged late last year, one of the causalities was the second season of Minx, the delightful comedy about the creation of a Playgirl-esque magazine in the 1970s. Mere weeks away from wrapping filming their second season, the series was cancelled, although the network told the cast and crew they would be allowed to finish filming before Lionsgate (the studio behind the series) would be allowed to shop it to other networks in hopes of finding a home. Thankfully, Starz picked up the show, allowing the second season to see the light of day starting this Friday. And what a second season it is.
For those who might have missed out on season one – which I definitely recommend checking out prior to diving into season two – we saw the founding of Minx magazine, a publication that highlighted the male form in all its unclothed glory. Spearheading the independent production was Joyce Prigger (a great Ophelia Lovibond, who never fails to highlight Joyce’s constant ability to see herself as the main character in every situation she encounters), a writer who claims to be a feminist but who often falls short of that claim in her own self-interest, and Doug Renetti (Jake Johnson, so good at finding the heart buried under the gruff exterior of Doug), a business man better at conning his way to the middle than actually getting deals done. When we last left the duo – and their supporting team – Doug had relinquished his claim on the magazine as publisher, allowing Joyce the chance to shop the now successful venture to the highest bidder.
And that’s where things jump off in season two – Doug is left out in the cold while the other characters await Minx’s financial fate. Although, fear not, there’s plenty of chances for Doug to interact with the rest of the cast. One of the key discoveries in season one was the strength of this ensemble, and the writers make sure to provide each of the show’s supporting characters the chance to shine this time around. Oscar Montoya’s Richie starts to branch out beyond his work at the magazine, chomping at the bit for a chance to show just how talented he is. Idara Victor’s Tina finds her place in the series outside of Doug’s orbit, time and again proving how absolutely crucial she is to the day-to-day operations of the magazine. Lennon Parham’s Shelly truly comes into her own over the course of the season in a wonderful arc that allows Parham the chance to dig deep into the comedy and dramatic turns of the character. And then there’s Jessica Lowe’s Bambi, the heart and soul of the series. It’s such a sensational performance from Lowe and such a complete and emotionally resonate character that you cannot help but root for her each and every time she’s on the screen. Bambi easily could have been a one-note bimbo role, but instead we’re treated to a smart, sophisticated woman who doesn’t let others walk all over her, who is such a key part of the series.
The overall arc in season two is strong, but my one quibble would be that with so many characters (there’s also the addition of Elizabeth Perkins as a widowed heiress) to provide story for the season can feel a bit overstuffed at times. That’s a good problem to have, ultimately, as too many strong characters needing strong stories isn’t something most shows get blessed with – especially half hour comedies. But while some characters are getting their moment in the sun, it can be frustrating to wait for the resolutions to other story arcs that might be a bit more interesting. The season is full of laughs and just enough compelling drama – along with a bunch of great character development – to warrant another season, should Starz want to give it a go (and I so hope they do – I’m not done watching this delightful cast of characters try to keep Minx on top of the women’s magazine world). If you’re looking for a fun yet compelling comedy to watch on your weekends this summer, Minx is absolutely that series.
Minx’s second season premieres on July 21 on Starz. All eight episodes of the season were provided for review.
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