One woman was brave enough to tell her story of domestic violence and struggles as a young mother, and ever since, it has made waves in the world of entertainment.
Stephanie Land shared her truth in the memoir Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, which went on to become a New York Times Best Seller, as her deeply truthful tale inspired women across the nation.
The book details her experiences of an abusive relationship and the hardships she faced as a young mother up against the political systems in place in the U.S.
Her memoir was described to encapsulate “a picture of the soul-robbing grind through poverty that millions live with every day”, and it’s this message that carries through to its Netflix adaptation.
With a celebrated young actress at its core and an impressive string of major award nominations to its name, it’s hardly surprising that Maid was such a success.
There are 10 episodes in total
Released in 2021, Maid is a Netflix production inspired by Land’s memoir, centring on the hardships she faced, but told through the character of Alex.
The young mother flees an abusive relationship and battles to provide for her daughter while working as a cleaner. When professional difficulties arise, her world begins to unravel as she fights tooth and nail for a brighter future for her family, navigating the bureaucratic maze of government assistance.
Margaret Qualley portrays lead character Alex, alongside Andie MacDowell, who plays her mother and is, in fact, her real-life parent. Within the show, however, their bond is deeply troubled, as Alex’s mother displays narcissistic tendencies and struggles with a severe bipolar disorder diagnosis.
The book was taken by Molly Smith Metzler who created the series, with the support of John Wells Productions and another famous female face.
Margot Robbie signed onto the project as an Executive Producer alongside her husband Tom Ackerley, supporting the project through their production company LuckyChap Entertainment, which has a focus on female-focused film and TV.
Upon its release, the series attracted considerable attention, with audiences particularly drawn to the performances on display. Qualley earned nominations for both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe, and it is her portrayal that consistently draws the highest praise from critics and viewers alike.
It stars a real life mother-daughter duo (Image: Netflix )
One viewer took to Rotten Tomatoes to say: “This is one of those series where you feel as if you’re in the show, you feel every up and down with Alex, this is one of my favourite shows, the acting feels very natural. This show might be difficult to watch because of it’s real mood, but it is just done beautifully.”
Another praised her role, writing: “On Netflix, this is truly a heart wrenching, and absolutely inspiring show. Emmy deserving performances by Margaret Qually and Andie McDowell. The best series I’ve seen in a LONG time.
“I recommend this over any movie I’ve rated this year, or any show that’s out there. This is a MUST see, that we will be talking about in the future of great television.”
The show not only earned widespread acclaim and award nominations, but everyday viewers awarded it an impressive 94% overall score on Rotten Tomatoes, making quite the impression for a limited series.
One said: “So moving and riveting. Having lived through some similar things I really think it brilliantly captures how damn alone and lost you are when trying to provide for a child when everything around you falls apart. Deeply moving. One of the best things I’ve seen in a long time.”
Spanning 10 episodes, Maid tackles a wealth of heartfelt and sensitive subjects that have resonated deeply with audiences. The compact series is set near Seattle in the U.S. and shines a light on the struggles faced by women like Alex navigating the country’s political systems.
You might find yourself reaching for the tissues while watching this series, but all episodes of Maid are currently available to stream exclusively on Netflix.