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  • Netflix
  • Jun 7, 2019
  • Netflix
  • Jun 7, 2019
Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City

Summary Escaping life in Connecticut, Mary Ann (Laura Linney) returns to San Francisco where her daughter Shawna (Elliot Page) and ex-husband Brian (Paul Gross) still live. She moves back to 28 Barbary Lane where Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) still rules the roost in this 10-part limited series inspired by the on books by Armistead Maupin.

  • Netflix
  • Jun 7, 2019
  • Netflix
  • Jun 7, 2019
Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City
Season 1
Season Premiere: Jun 7, 2019
Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
63
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 11 User Ratings
7.1
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Escaping life in Connecticut, Mary Ann (Laura Linney) returns to San Francisco where her daughter Shawna (Elliot Page) and ex-husband Brian (Paul Gross) still live. She moves back to 28 Barbary Lane where Anna Madrigal (Olympia Dukakis) still rules the roost in this 10-part limited series inspired by the on books by Armistead Maupin.

Where to Watch

Season Episodes

View All Seasons
Episode 1 • Jun 7, 2019 • 56 m
Coming Home
After two decades away, Mary Ann arrives in San Francisco for Anna Madrigal's 90th birthday party. But not everyone is happy to see her.
Episode 2 • Jun 7, 2019 • 1 h
She Messy
Mary Ann decides to stay in San Francisco and tell Shawna the truth. Jake and Margot face a crossroads in their relationship. Anna meets a new man.
Episode 3 • Jun 7, 2019 • 57 m
Happy, Now?
Anna receives a threatening message. Mary Ann tries to make peace with Brian. Jake and Margot negotiate a family gender-reveal party and its aftermath.
Episode 4 • Jun 7, 2019 • 58 m
The Price of Oil
Mary Ann rallies the crew to save Barbary Lane and tries to connect with Shawna. A night with Michael's old pals stirs up drama between him and Ben.
Episode 5 • Jun 7, 2019 • 52 m
Not Today, Satan
Mary Ann and Shawna team up to uncover what's going on with Anna. Michael searches for a new place to live. Shawna opens up to Claire.
Episode 6 • Jun 7, 2019 • 58 m
A Touch o' Butch
Everyone looks after Anna following a medical incident. The twins fill DeDe's house with social influencers. Mary Ann and Brian have a heart-to-heart.
Episode 7 • Jun 7, 2019 • 52 m
Next Level Sh*t
Shawna digs into her history. Mary Ann helps Sam track down information on Anna's past. Ben has a change of heart about Michael's housing situation.
Episode 8 • Jun 7, 2019 • 1 h
Days of Small Surrenders
In a flashback to the 1960s, Anna arrives in San Francisco, befriends some trans women and starts dating a man. But she soon finds her loyalties tested.
Episode 9 • Jun 7, 2019 • 46 m
Rainbow Warriors
Racing against time, Mary Ann, Michael and Brian follow leads to learn who's threatening Barbary Lane. Anna seeks forgiveness from an old friend.
Episode 10 • Jun 7, 2019 • 56 m
Three of Cups
The conflict at Barbary Lane comes to a head. Jake and Margot clear the air. A night of celebration leads to an unexpected discovery in the morning.

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
63
60% Positive
9 Reviews
40% Mixed
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 15 Critic Reviews
63
60% Positive
9 Reviews
40% Mixed
6 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
83
Jun 10, 2019
It’s this wide variety of perspectives assembled that allows the series to be as ambitious as it is.
By Jude Dry FULL REVIEW
80
Jun 7, 2019
Linney and Dukakis shoulder the weight of these new hours, although Morelli writes an edged selfishness into Mary Ann that would be irritating if not for Linney’s lithe, comedic handling of her self-absorption. ... The fact that this new San Francisco doesn’t invade “Tales of the City” is one of the show’s greatest attractions. That inevitability lurks around the periphery, but the timeless nature of Barbary Lane and the city’s loyalty to its mother figure somehow defeats its incursion. That in itself makes this series worth savoring.
By Melanie McFarland FULL REVIEW
70
Jun 4, 2019
But even as I rolled my eyes or scratched my head at various developments, the performances and the optimistic (and very Maupin) spirit buoyed me through the whole thing. Turning Mary Ann into everyone’s most exhausting friend allows Linney to deploy her underrated comic chops. ... The new Tales is imperfect, but it’s beautiful enough in spots to qualify.
By Alan Sepinwall FULL REVIEW
67
May 30, 2019
The series has many faults, often gets lost in its own self-indulgence, but it’s easy to admire how much effort they’re putting into making something for a queer audience—both new and old.
By Pilot Viruet FULL REVIEW
60
Dec 4, 2019
Flawed, narcissistic and doing its best. Sometimes it’s doing its best a bit too hard.
By Chitra Ramaswamy FULL REVIEW
50
Jun 5, 2019
There are a handful of scenes where the writing, acting, and gutsiness of the underlying story cohere into something raw and striking and well made. In other moments, though, Tales of the City feels like a rough draft, both bloated and aimless.
By Kathryn VanArendonk FULL REVIEW
40
Jun 5, 2019
There’s no energy or conviction in the storytelling, and while Linney, Gross, Bartlett and Page occasionally strike some sparks when they’re onscreen together, scene after scene goes by free of any real dramatic or emotional payoff. ... The story lines involving the younger characters consistently default to flat, safe conversations about gender and queerness. ... Draggy, preachy and a little morbid.
By Mike Hale FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 11 User Ratings
7.1
64% Positive
7 Ratings
9% Mixed
1 Rating
27% Negative
3 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 11 User Ratings
7.1
64% Positive
7 Ratings
9% Mixed
1 Rating
27% Negative
3 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

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