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Early next month, Disney+ will release its newest buzzy entry in the Star Wars TV canon, this time mixing it up by focusing on a younger set of protagonists. Set in the same time frame as The Mandalorian (just after Return of the Jedi), the show tells a coming-of-age story about four pre-teen kids who, after becoming lost, must embark on a cosmic adventure through the perilous galactic underworld to find their way back home.

Here’s what you need to know about Star Wars: Skeleton Crew:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Will this newest series attract the same Star Wars audience? 
Almost but not quite. For Skeleton Crew, we’re predicting a viewership that skews toward men (67%) and those aged 30+ (62%). While previous live-action Star Wars shows like The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka hit this same sweet-spot audience quadrant, they generally leaned a bit older (66-70% aged 30+) thanks to their more adult-focused storylines; Skeleton Crew’s pre-teen protagonists, in contrast, will likely attract a family audience as well.

Why will viewers be tuning in? 
For kid-friendly adventure. The series focuses on four rebellious pre-teen heroes (Child POV, 127) who, lost in an unfamiliar and dangerous galaxy, band together (Team Up, 135) to survive and forge an Unlikely Friendship (138) with a mysterious rogue who promises to get them back home. Audiences will want to see how the group navigates Scary Situations (141) within the galactic underworld that put their Lives in Danger (131), all the while knowing that the stakes will never grow too high for a family audience.

What type of emotional ride will fans want to experience? 
Exhilarating fun and suspense. The top emotions driving Skeleton Crew’s ratings celebrate the wonder of its immersive Star Wars setting and the gumption of its four young protagonists, from Awe (138) to Ecstasy (138) to Joy (138) to Admiration (138). Coupled with these are nods to the tension built into their predicament: Apprehension (138), Vigilance (138), Fear (125). Both aspects will combine to create a memorable and engaging viewing experience.

What will keep audiences engaged once they start watching? 
Its connection to the Star Wars Universe (126). As with every other series in this franchise, the various trappings of its imaginative, Distinctly Realized World (115)–the Space Travel (126), the Alien Technology (114), the unusual planets and lifeforms–coupled with references to familiar characters and events from across the IP are the top drivers of bingeability. Fans will stay tuned to see the show paint in entirely new areas of the universe they adore.

How is fan anticipation for the show? 
High. Skeleton Crew is following in the footsteps of its live-action Star Wars brethren in terms of online chatter, spiking into the ‘outstanding’ range on our social buzz meter every time a new piece of information or trailer is released. As its early-December release date nears, the show will likely continue to rise, ultimately cruising along at the top of our meter (at 160) throughout its first season roll-out in the same way that the likes of The Acoylyte, Ahsoka, and Andor did.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

Later this month, Paramount+ is releasing a new western-tinged drama from prolific creator Taylor Sheridan that’s based on the popular narrative podcast “Boomtown.” Featuring a stacked cast that includes Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, and Jon Hamm, this new series delves into the scheming, speculation, and profiteering within West Texas’s oil industry.

Here’s what you need to know about Landman:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Will Landman pull in the same viewers as Taylor Sheridan’s other series? 
Mostly. For Landman, we’re anticipating an audience that skews to men (62%) and those 30+ (77%)–a viewership profile extremely similar to the creator’s other male-led gritty dramas (1923, Mayor of Kingstown, Tulsa King). Both Special Ops: Lioness and Yellowstone, however, are much more gender-balanced, the former thanks to its strong women protagonists and the latter to its origins on linear TV, which brings in a different audience.

What type of story will Landman be telling?
A morally complex one. Combining elements from the Western (130), History (119), and Drama (115) genres, the show follows a number of unscrupulous players within the booming big oil industry, led by Billy Bob Thornton as the titular landman who negotiates property leases and heads off brewing crises on behalf of a striving oil conglomerate. With each player jockeying for high-stakes success, their selfish desires for Independence (114), Power (111), Family (111) dominance, and Money (111) form the core motivations showcased throughout the series.

Why will audiences be tuning in? 
For the family tensions. As with many of Sheridan’s shows, Landman explores themes of kinship, legacy, and Family Relationships (136) within a high-pressure environment–elements that have also proven to be important viewership drivers for Yellowstone, 1883, 1923, and Mayor of Kingstown. In this case, it’s every family unit for themselves in the wild west of big oil, with Thorton’s crisis manager in particular a stalwart Protective Parent (137) who would do anything for his son. And with Gun Violence (134), treachery, and subterfuge all too commonplace in their world (Dark Themes, 138), tight-knit families–even those straining from within–are the best way to protect against outsiders and come out on top.

What will make this series bingeworthy? 
The clashes of the rich. Landman juggles Multiple Storylines (124) as it follows various moneyed parties locked in a tenacious Power Struggle (114) to dominate the oil business, with their overwhelming Avarice & Greed (117) clearly evident–especially when juxtaposed against their already Wealthy Lifestyles (116). Audiences will lean forward to watch these amoral characters scheme and battle, wielding all of their wealth and power as formidable weapons.

What will help the show earn a second season? 
Its focus on the oil industry. This slick, shadowy, big-money arena provides a rich and compelling source of drama for the show, and Landman’s focus on its inner workings (A Focus on Business, 132)–and the Moral Dilemmas (125) it brings to the fore–will keep viewers coming back for future seasons. Also helping? The fact that Landman is based on actually true, real-life events that have occurred (and are still occurring) during the modern-day Texas oil boom (Based on a True Story, 120).

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

Earlier this month, CBS premiered its third hilarious series set within the Big Bang Theory universe, and it’s already generating outstanding buzz and stellar ratings. Officially a spin-off of Young Sheldon, this mid-90s-set multi-cam sitcom follows mismatched couple Georgie and Mandy as they attempt to navigate newlywed life with a baby in tow.

Here’s what you need to know about Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Is this series attracting the same audience as its predecessors?
Yes. For Georgie & Mandy, we’re seeing an audience that’s heavily composed of women (67%) and those aged 35+ (92%). This viewership profile is almost identical to both Young Sheldon and The Big Bang Theory as well as creator Chuck Lorre’s other blockbuster sitcoms on CBS (Bob Hearts Abishola, Mom, Two and a Half Men).

How is Georgie & Mandy different from the other Big Bang universe shows? 
It’s a love story. Original series The Big Bang Theory, which focused on a group of nerdy physicists at Caltech, led primarily with its Comedy (132), while prequel story Young Sheldon, depicting the main character’s childhood, injected a heavy dose of Family (129) alongside its humor (Comedy, 123). Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, in contrast, follows an unconventional married couple and embraces its elements of Romance (118) from the very beginning (without sacrificing the same Comedy (119) that made the other series so successful).

Why have audiences been tuning in?
To see the young couple make a go of it. Fans of Young Sheldon watched Georgie and Mandy hook up, get pregnant, have a baby, and then finally fall in love and get married, and now they’re anxious to watch these characters they’ve come to know and adore (IP Extension, 121) navigate whatever comes next. The newlyweds’ decision to move ahead with their union (Life Changing Decision, 124) and do whatever’s necessary to make things work–including living and Working with Family (125), despite all the conflict that entails–is the hook that’s pulling viewers into the show.

What’s making this series so compulsively watchable? 
Funny tension. Georgie & Mandy incorporates both warmer, Feel-Good Humor (128) and snarkier, more cutting quips (Sarcastic Humor, 121), and viewers appreciate the show’s range of comedic styles alongside its more emotional dramatic heart. The jokes are driven by the sizable Age Gap (148) between 19-year-old goof Georgie and 31-year-old pragmatist Mandy as well as their bickering disagreements, both with each other and with their respective families who have strong opinions on their match (Family Conflict, 117). All are key drivers of bingeability.

How is the show’s social tracking? 
Sky-high–and higher than Young Sheldon. Georgie & Mandy shot to the top of our social buzz meter (to 160) with the ramp-up of its promotional cycle in early October and has remained there ever since. While Young Sheldon also hit an ‘outstanding’ level of online chatter in its first season, it peaked then (to 140) and did not reach the same sustained heights as its new spin-off until its final season this past May.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

Next month, Peacock will be premiering a gripping new British cat-and-mouse thriller based on the popular 1971 Frederick Forsyth novel but reimagined and updated for today’s political landscape. The series stars Eddie Redmayne as the titular Jackal, a ruthless and secretive assassin-for-hire, and Lashana Lynch as the intelligence officer hot on his trail.

Here’s what you need to know about The Day of the Jackal:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who will be tuning in for this riveting new series? 
We’re predicting an audience that’s mostly men (61%) and heavily aged 30+ (78%). This viewership profile is much more male-skewing than other British thrillers like Killing Eve, The Fall, The Little Drummer Girl, The Night Manager, and Bodyguard, which tend to have a more gender-balanced appeal.

What’s the show’s most compelling element?
Its dual perspectives. Similar to series like Killing Eve and The Fall, The Day of the Jackal tracks both an elusive killer and a cop determined to stop them, and it is this tense push-pull between two opposing forces that generates the shows’ top overall viewership drivers. In Jackal’s case, a tenacious intelligence officer (Strong Female Protagonist, 134) filled with Ambition & Drive (125) is set against a resourceful Criminal Mastermind (130) on the run across international borders (Being Hunted, 134), and audiences will be on the edge of their seats waiting for their eventual showdown.

Why else will viewers want to watch? 
For the Criminal Investigation (135). At the heart of Jackal are the unknowns swirling around the titular hitman’s identity and motives, and the intelligence officer on his case is determined to Solve The Mystery (133) and take him down, even at great personal and professional risk (Dangerous Mission, 125). Her relentless pursuit not only drives the show’s ratings but also offers a compelling entry point for long-term storytelling. The intelligence officer’s perspective adds depth to the narrative, creating an engaging throughline that could significantly enhance the show’s longevity and pave the way for a compelling second season.

What type of emotional experience will audiences be looking for? 
A contradictory one. Viewers can expect to feel a full range of conflicting emotions toward the hitman known as the Jackal, from Anger (133) and Disapproval (133) at his coldblooded aims to Awe (133) and Amazement (133) at his calculated ingenuity to Apprehension (133) around whether he can ultimately be stopped. Audiences will take this tense roller coaster ride right alongside the officer pursuing him–with both hopefully walking away in Joy (133) and Ecstasy (133) at his eventual capture.

What will make The Day of the Jackal bingeworthy? 
Its exciting depiction of Espionage (118). The series delves into a shadow world of spies and assassins filled with targeted hits and narrow escapes (Action & Violence, 119), all juxtaposed against the bureaucratic inner workings of the British intelligence service (Intelligence Agency, 121) designed to ferret out these killers and bring them to justice. Viewers will want to immerse themselves in this compellingly vivid realm and not look away lest they miss a single thrilling moment.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

Two weeks ago, Netflix dropped a sweet new opposites-attract-style rom-com and it immediately took off, premiering at #2 on the streamer’s global Top 10 list and attracting all kinds of social media buzz and editorial think pieces. Starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody as an agnostic sex podcaster and a newly single rabbi, respectively, the show continues the streamer’s wildly successful run at the romance genre.

Here’s what you need to know about Nobody Wants This:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who’s been causing the show’s ratings boon? 
We’re seeing an audience that’s mostly women (62%) and mostly aged 30+ (60%), the expected sweet spot for a rom-com about 40-something lovebirds. The Bell-Brody series is more gender-balanced than many of Netflix’s other recent entries in the romance genre, such as Emily in Paris, Never Have I Ever, Dash & Lily, Virgin River, and Bridgerton (all 72-83% women). Instead, viewership for Nobody Wants This more closely mirrors steamy sex drama Sex/Life and acerbic rom-com Love.

Why have so many been tuning in? 
The rom. The series chronicles the heady early stages of a brand new relationship, and as magnetically-attracted opposites, the two protagonists generate a sizzling chemistry that’s proving irresistible to audiences. Viewers want to see the pair’s charming meet-cute, their romantic first dates (Dating Life, 160), their inevitable fights and conflicts (Romantic Conflict, 160), and, eventually, their ‘happily ever after’ (Falling in Love, 160).

What’s making the show so bingeworthy? 
The com. In addition to romance, the show leans on a sparkling sense of humor that laces its central love story with an inviting variety of quips and winks. From the Sexual Humor (152) of an overly honest sex podcast, to the sweet and optimistic Feel-Good Humor (149) of a romance, to the truly terrible Romantic Advice (127) offered up by friends and family, to the Awkward & Funny Moments (126) borne of an agnostic and a rabbi attempting to embrace each other’s worlds, the fizzy comedy keeps viewers watching.

What will help push the series into a second season? 
The Family Tension (146). The love story’s most daunting obstacle is the objection of friends and family (Family Relationships, 139) to such an unusual (mis)match, with the rabbi’s very traditional mother particularly determined to end the fledgling romance. These clashes–and the couple’s clumsy attempts to bridge the divide between their two worlds–will continue to provide a compelling story engine for next season and beyond.

How’s the show’s social buzz? 
Stellar. The end-of-August trailer netted a “promising” (though very brief) bump in online chatter (to 119); with the full season episode drop, the show’s social buzz rocketed to the top of our meter (at 160) and has steadfastly remained there ever since.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

Two weeks ago, ABC premiered a fun and fizzy new crime procedural that has been increasingly on the case, wooing audiences across platforms and creating a promising new hit for the network. The show stars Kaitlin Olson as a night janitor and single mother whose sky-high IQ and ability to see what the cops have missed–inadvertently discovered after a mishap in the police precinct–lands her a consulting role with LAPD’s Homicide Division.

Here’s what you need to know about High Potential:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who’s been watching this comedy-laced procedural?
We’re seeing a viewership that’s 65% women and 93% ages 35+, the exact same sweet spot hit by other quirky cop shows centered around a genius detective, such as Monk, The Mentalist, Psych, Elementary, and Unforgettable.

What’s driving the show’s ratings surge? 
Its amusing team dynamics. Olson’s character Morgan–an eccentric, unapologetic, marches-to-the-beat-of-her-own-drummer force of nature–is a Fish Out of Water (116) in the staid LAPD, and her irreverent yet insightful perspective (Eccentric Character POV, 119) often clashes with her by-the-book police teammates. The Unlikely Friendship (121) (and likely slow-burn romance) that develops between Morgan and her skeptical detective partner as they learn to work together (Teamwork, 119) is a key reason viewers are tuning in.

What’s making High Potential so bingeworthy? 
Morgan. The show’s Genius (126) protagonist offers a fresh, fun take on crime solving, with her witty, Sarcastic Humor (124) and misguided attempts to follow police protocol (Awkward & Funny Moments, 126) injecting a rich vein of comedy into what can sometimes be a dry genre. Viewers want to follow her Journey of Self Discovery (123) as she realizes her potential and learn more about her personal life as a Single Parent (125) to three lively kids.

How is the show’s social buzz? 
Promising. Our social buzz meter registered only average levels (100) of online chatter when the pilot premiered but started climbing rapidly the next day, finally peaking in “outstanding” territory (at 154, just under the 160 maximum) after the second episode. Online discussions are focusing on Morgan’s dual priorities as she’s pulled between her new LAPD role and her responsibilities at home (Work-Life Balance, 128).

What will help High Potential reach a second season? 
Its procedural framework (Police Procedural, 115). The show’s crime-solving elements offer a built-in, easily repeatable whodunit story engine, with viewers eager to see Morgan and her team (Investigators & Detectives, 121) sift through clues, investigate evidence, leverage forensics (CSI, 134), and finally Solve A Murder (119) every week. This fundamental aspect of the series is what will propel its longevity.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

HBO’s upcoming new satirical comedy takes a world that seems both aspirational and exhilarating to the average viewer and seeks to correct this widespread perception. Inspired by real-life behind-the-scenes incidents from various Marvel and DC movies, the show–created by industry vets Jon Brown, Armando Iannucci, and Sam Mendes–follows the cast and crew of a fictional superhero film as they attempt to overcome disaster, chaos, and studio meddling and complete their mega-budget production.

Here’s what you need to know about The Franchise:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Who will be tuning in for this new satire? 
We’re predicting a viewership that leans to men (60%) and especially those 35+ (89%). This audience is notably more male than many previous comedies about the inner workings of the film and TV industry, including Barry, Entourage, 30 Rock, Episodes, and Bojack Horseman (all 38%-57% men).

What’s the show’s most important viewership driver?
Humor. The Franchise is a zany yet biting comedy about the stranger-than-fiction absurdities inherent in the franchise filmmaking process, and its multitude of Awkward & Funny Moments (134) across various mishaps, clashes, and disasters are crucial for all four key areas we measure: ratings, bingeability, social buzz, and longevity. The series’ sharp wit (Sarcastic Humor, 118) also helps specifically with making it feel bingeworthy.

Why else will viewers be watching? 
For a behind-the-scenes look at Show Business (119). Audiences will want to see the often dysfunctional (and presumably fictionalized) Workplace Dynamics (123) on a big-budget film set, with the built-in Conflicts of Interest (121) between the development execs, director, actors, crew, and other suits and creative types who all have a stake in the movie (Co-worker Relationships, 119). The resulting chaos and drama will prove an irresistible hook, helping to drive the show’s ratings.

What type of viewing experience can audiences expect? 
An Emotional Roller Coaster (127). Underneath the show’s overarching humor, viewers will sympathize with the film’s beleaguered below-the-line crew as they struggle desperately to keep their massive production afloat. Audiences will bounce between a bevy of emotions right alongside the main characters, from Surprise (120), Terror (118), and Loathing (117) to Optimism (117), Ecstasy (117), and Acceptance (117).

What will help push The Franchise to a second season? 
Its sense of urgency. The series’ fictional superhero production is rapidly spiraling out of control (Losing Control, 123), and the consequences are potentially dire thanks to the incredible amount of money involved. The cast and crew are in a Race Against Time (134) to complete filming and must make some increasingly Tough Decisions (126) before the studio intervenes and possibly fires them all. This overwhelming sense of crisis will help ramp up the stakes and propel the show’s story engine into a second season and beyond.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

This week, Amazon Prime Video will be premiering its third limited series that traces an infamous, real-life UK scandal that dominated the headlines in its day. Instead of politicians (2018’s A Very English Scandal) or the nobility (2021’s A Very British Scandal), however, this new series tackles the very top of British society, dramatizing journalist Emily Maitlis’s (played by Ruth Wilson) 2019 bombshell interview of Prince Andrew (Michael Sheen) about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Here’s what you need to know about A Very Royal Scandal:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Is the audience the same for all three Scandal miniseries? 
No. For A Very Royal Scandal, we’re predicting a more gender-balanced viewership (45% men / 55% women) that leans heavily toward those 30+ (76%)–closer in line with the English Scandal audience. A Very British Scandal, however, appealed much more strongly to women (71%), because of its antihero Female Protagonist (126) and exploration of women’s empowerment in the 1960s.

What do these three limited series have in common? 
A real-life story that rocked the tabloids. The factual nature of each show’s ripped-from-the-headlines scandal (Based on Historical Events, 134) is a key viewership driver, whether the story takes place in the distant (English, British) or very recent (Royal) past. Each series explores the reveal of hidden truths (Exposé, 129) from within the upper echelons of British society, from Parliament (Political Life, 113 – English Scandal) to the peerage (Nobility, 135 – British Scandal) to the royal family (Royalty, 125 – Royal Scandal), leaving viewers eager to witness the shocking goings-on within what are often very closed-off circles.

What will set A Very Royal Scandal apart from its predecessors? 
The Emotional Roller Coaster (143) of a smart, probing interview. While English Scandal focused on a politician’s Forbidden Love (124) affair and British Scandal looked at the Marital Problems (140) and Adultery (153) within a Duke’s marriage, Royal Scandal pulls away from romantic entanglements and instead spotlights a pivotal moment between adversaries. The show centers on the prolonged on-camera confrontation between Prince Andrew and journalist Emily Maitlis about Andrew’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein (Conflict of Interest, 119), with Andrew ultimately Losing Control (113) of his intended narrative. This clash and its aftermath–including Andrew’s World Turned Upside Down (127) and the royal family’s Political Manipulations (113) to distance themselves from his disgrace–are important drivers for both ratings and bingeability.

What type of viewing experience will audiences be tuning in for? 
One that spurs outrage. Unlike English and British Scandal, which both leaned into the salaciousness of illicit love affairs and tempted viewers with a more positive and intriguing set of emotions (Anticipation, Awe, Interest, Trust), Royal Scandal will be laying bare the monstrosity of the accusations against Prince Andrew. Feelings like Rage (113) and Disapproval (112) will be brought to the fore as audiences look to understand the extent of his guilt.

Which themes will help this series make a splash in the UK? 
Its ties to the current monarchy. British audiences will lean even more than Americans into Royal Scandal’s focus on a true story (Based on Historical Events, 144 UK) involving familiar Royalty (136 UK), both of which land far above any other theme in driving viewership.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

Last week, FX released a hilariously provocative new comedy series that tackles hot-button issues through the lens of a dysfunctional public high school. Created by its star Brian Jordan Alvarez, the series focuses on the trials and tribulations of overwhelmed educators in an Austin, Texas suburb as they grapple with wily students, entitled parents, and modern-day issues like wokeness, social media, and red-vs-blue politics.

Here’s what you need to know about English Teacher:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

How does this audience compare to other school-based series? 
It is gender-balanced. Other shows that focus on the inner workings of education often skew toward women, including Abbott Elementary, A.P. Bio, Glee, and A Teacher (all 61-69%); for English Teacher, however, we’re seeing a viewership that leans slightly to men (54%), placing it closest to outlandish dark comedy Vice Principals.

What about the show is most appealing? 
Its varied sense of humor. Its various jokes make up four separate top viewership drivers, from the miscommunications, generational differences, and Awkward & Funny Moments (136) between teachers and students, to the Sarcastic Humor (128) of its lead characters, to its biting satire of modern-day political topics and the overall education system (Topical Humor, 118; Satirical Humor, 116). English Teacher’s comedy helps buoy all four areas that are key to a show’s success: ratings, bingeability, social buzz, and longevity.

Why else are viewers tuning in? 
For a behind-the-scenes look at education. Just like Abbott Elementary, audiences appreciate English Teacher’s focus onWorkplace Dynamics (121) among Educators (121) in a School Setting (129), and its up-close-and-personal perspective on high school teachers struggling to deal with students, the curriculum, and each other is an important ratings driver.

What’s making the series so watchable? 
A diverse set of characters. The show’s titular English teacher is an LGBTQIA+ Protagonist (130) who loves his role as an educator but, among other frustrations, finds himself under investigation after kissing his boyfriend in front of the students. The show offers up his perspective as one of many unique takes on the complex culture clash that is high school today; the school’s students, parents, and other teachers similarly reflect a wide range of viewpoints (Cultural Diversity, 120) that play into the show’s satirical themes.

How’s the show’s social buzz?
Strong. Though its early August trailer release did not make many waves, online chatter shot to the top of our social buzz meter (maxing it out at 160) with the premiere of its first two episodes on September 2. Viewers are talking about its awkward comedic moments and diverse cast of zany characters.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.

On Thursday, Netflix is dropping a buzzy new limited series based on a popular whodunit novel about a shocking murder at a picture-perfect beach wedding weekend. This new crime drama stars Nicole Kidman as a wealthy matriarch unhappy with her son’s choice of bride; the loaded cast also includes Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson, and Meghann Fahy.

Here’s what you need to know about The Perfect Couple:

Vault uses index scores to describe the impact a given story/theme/element will have on specific KPIs: 
≤79 Disappointing  80-89 Challenging  90-109 Average  110-119 Promising  120+ Outstanding

Will this show appeal to the same viewers as Kidman’s previous TV dramas? 
Largely yes. For The Perfect Couple, we’re predicting a viewership that’s mostly women (68%) and heavily aged 30+ (77%)–the same audience sweet spot as Nine Perfect Strangers, Big Little Lies, The Undoing, and Expats. All of these twisted mysteries feature stacked ensemble casts, murky hidden secrets, and actress Kidman playing an enigmatic elite.

Why will audiences be adding The Perfect Couple to their queue? 
For the wedding backdrop. The show opens as guests arrive for a picturesque beach wedding in Nantucket (Getting Married, 147), and the stress, clashes, and squabbles of such an emotionally-charged time (Emotions Running High, 132) provide the perfect set-up for homicide. Bride Amelia is marrying into the wealthy Winbury family over the objections of its imperious matriarch (Overcoming Adversity, 127) and her immature progeny (Arrested Development, 118), and the unfolding drama, capped off by a dead body on the sands, will prove irresistible to murder mystery aficionados.

How important is the show’s source material? 
Very–and more so than usual. The fact that The Perfect Couple is Based on a Book (126) by bestselling author and “queen of the summer beach read” Elin Hilderbrand serves as an “outstanding”-level ratings draw, a feat that’s somewhat uncommon among serial adaptations. With Big Little Lies, for example, its novel ties do not appear at all among its top viewership drivers, and for Nine Perfect Strangers, its source material helps with social buzz but does not by itself pull in viewers. Shows whose literary origins do hold sway with ratings are often based on well-known properties like Bosch and The Lincoln Lawyer (both novel series from Michael Connelly) or Game of Thrones.

What will keep viewers glued to their seats? 
Irresistible Family Secrets (129). As the show unfolds, the Family Dysfunction (141) and toxic dynamics (Family Relationships, 134) within the wealthy, powerful, and seemingly perfect Winbury clan become more and more apparent and dark revelations (Conspiracy and Cover Ups, 120) will ultimately come to light. Which of these all-American elites is the murderer? Audiences will want to stick around and find out.

How does the series’ social buzz look? 
Promising. The show’s mid-July trailer drop saw a big two-day spike in online chatter, maxing out our social buzz meter (at 160) as consumers were eager to learn more. With the full episode release later this week, the buzz levels have again been climbing and will likely hit another peak once viewers start watching. Fans will primarily be posting and tweeting about the Winburys’ family secrets and dysfunctional relationships–the same elements that will drive its bingeability.

Introducing Genre DNA™

Redefine your understanding of TV subgenres

Introducing Genre DNA™ – TV subgenres redefined by groundbreaking AI analysis to reveal the true drivers of viewership.

See the insights that others can’t

Genre DNA™ goes beyond traditional TV genre classifications by analyzing over 1,000 scripted and unscripted series on both linear and SVOD platforms from the last 5 years.

Each Vault Genre DNA™ report offers a precise analysis of your chosen TV subgenre, uncovering its unique drivers of viewership.