Tell Me A Story is basically Once Upon A Time for grown-ups. And it’s very good!
A dark reimagining of some of the of the world’s most beloved fairytales (including Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, and Hansel and Gretel), Tell Me A Story is captivating right off the bat. It introduces a sprawling cast and links all their journeys in intriguing ways. Moreover, the fairytales are not explicitly referenced (although yes, there are pig masks and an iconic red coat), which makes spotting the timeless themes quite enjoyable.
Tell Me A Story is also impressively cast. The show is filled with recognizable TV faces: The Vampire Diaries‘ Paul Wesley, Sex & The City‘s Kim Cattrall, Mad Men‘s James Wolk, and Devious Maids‘ Dania Ramirez among many others. They’re all effective in their respective roles, and theirs arcs are straightforward and relatable. In fact, judging from the pilot, there isn’t a weak subplot to be found which definitely bodes well for the season. It also helps that there’s a genuine sense of place to this New York-based show. The camera peers over ledges and watches over our characters, creating a disquieting paranoid tone.
Finally, the pilot ends with one hell of a dark and shocking cliffhanger. I’m definitely curious to see what comes next.
Conclusion
An inventive psychological thriller that’s off to a very promising start.