Netflix’s Maid was released last month and it’s had such good reviews I was really looking forward to watching it. Based on Stephanie Land’s novel Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay and a Mother’s Will to Survive. Usually I like to wait until I’ve read the book before I read an adaptation but considering I’d never heard of the book I figured it was fine. I binged the 10 part series in just over 24 hours.

Maid stars Margaret Qualley as Alex and her real-life Mom Andie MacDowell stars alongside her as her Mom Paula. Alex finds herself homeless with her 2 year old daughter when she flees her boyfriend Sean’s (Nick Robinson) trailer in the middle to the night as an attempt to escape their toxic relationship. Unfortunately, neither of Alex’s parents are in a position to be able to help her so Alex and Maddie spend a few nights sleeping rough before being housed by a domestic violence shelter. She then spends the next few weeks working through the mess of her life, finding financial support, housing, childcare, a job and also trying to unravel who she can and cannot trust in her life.

Obviously I won’t go into all of the details because you really should watch it. But this show definitely highlights the difficulties imposed on those who have nothing; for example, you can’t get childcare unless you’re employed, but Alex can’t get a job because she has to look after Maddie. It makes it so much easier to understand why so many people stay in toxic and abusive relationships, especially when the court isn’t sympathetic to single, abused women.

I think what I really liked about this show was it felt realistic. Alex didn’t get miracle solutions nor did she always make the right decisions. If it was a normal show/film Alex definitely would have ended up married to Nate (Raymond Ablack) working as Regina’s (Anika Noni Rose) Nanny, spoiler alert, neither of those things happen. I could also relate to Alex so much when it comes to feeling responsible for your family and the frustrations that come with that.

I’m really not doing this series justice. So all I’m going to say is the acting is great, the story is interesting; a bit scary sometimes too, and it feels very real and relevant. It’s a Netflix show so go and watch it now! I’ve just ordered the book too.