Every so often, a surprise gem pops up on your streaming feed, and in this case, it is Extraordinary, available on Disney+.
In a world absolutely jam-packed with big-budget blockbuster superhero movies, this much quieter comedic affair is a refreshing change.
Created by Emma Moran, the British comedy was released on the Disney+ Star platform internationally and on Hulu in the US, in January 2023.
So what is Extraordinary all about, and is it worth watching?
What Is Extraordinary About?
It is modern-day London but with a twist. Ten years ago, everyone over the age of 18 got a superpower. Some are amazing, and some are definitely not.
However, Jen, a 25-year-old woman, is still waiting to get hers. Feeling like she has been left behind, Jen's life has stalled as she finds herself stuck in a dead-end job, with no love life to really speak of, and no way to move forward.
It seems that in a world where everybody is extraordinary, Jen is ordinary, and so begins her journey to figure out her superpower.
Luckily she has her best friend and flatmate, Carrie, to help her from falling into an endless pit of despair. Along with Carrie are Kash, Carrie's boyfriend, and a stray cat-turned-human who they name Jizzlord.
Over the course of eight episodes, Jen is forced to grow up as her obsession with having no superpower begins to alienate those around her.
So will she ever find out what it is, or will she learn to just be ok as she is? Watch Extraordinary to find out.
Extraordinary Official Trailer
Is Extraordinary Worth Watching?
I knew nothing about this show when I turned it on, and before 10 minutes had passed, I was actually laughing out loud. The cast and their comic timing are superb.
From the opening scene when Jen vomits her every thought in a job interview, it becomes clear the kind of superpowers people have been given. In this case, the interviewer can get people to only tell the truth.
We soon learn that Carrie can channel absolutely anybody who has died, which she uses to good effect working in a law firm.
And we also find out that not every superpower brings with it real benefits. Kash, for example, can turn back time, but only by a few seconds and only until he runs out of energy.
So once we've established the various super powers and how they don't really change anybody's life, everything else becomes quite normal. Crappy jobs, paying rent, family problems, looking for some meaning in life – all the normal things people experience in a confusing world.
And that's where the comedy lies as Jen begins her journey to discover what her power is. But don't be fooled, there are some really poignant aspects to this show.
Characters are neither good nor bad, but shades in between which means that as much as you sympathise with Jen, she is also quite unlikeable at times, which surprisingly makes for a much better show.
Extraordinary is an old-school comedy with a clever twist. The script is sharp and witty, the characters are relatable, and the eight episodes absolutely whizz by in a blur of laughs.
Very much a show that is worth watching.
Cast Of Extraordinary TV Series
Máiréad Tyers as Jen, a costume shop worker who struggles to deal with her lack of super powers.
Sofia Oxenham as Carrie, Jen's best friend who can channel spirits.
Bilal Hasna as Kash, Carrie's boyfriend who can rewind time by ten seconds.
Luke Rollason as Jizzlord, a shapeshifter who was stuck as a cat for several years.
Siobhán McSweeney (Derry Girls) as Mary, Jen's mother who can control technology.
Safia Oakley-Green as Andy, Jen's half-sister who is super strong.
Ned Porteous as Luke, a guy Jen occasionally dates who can fly.
