Russian Doll Review: 8 Ups & 2 Downs

The first great TV show of 2019.

By Jack Pooley /

Netflix

Netflix's Russian Doll was released this past Friday to rave reviews from fans and critics alike, with the latter largely deeming it the first great new TV show of 2019.

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If you're unaware, the dramedy series follows software engineer Nadia Vulvokov (Natasha Lyonne) who, on her 36th birthday, is hit by a car and killed.

Death is far from the end, though, as Nadia finds herself caught in a time loop from which she is seemingly unable to escape, with death simply flinging her back to the middle of her hipster-filled birthday party.

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And while time loop stories are very much in vogue these days, this series is a positively fresh entry thanks to a cracking ensemble cast - led by an inimitable Lyonne, of course - sharp writing and great production values throughout.

It's not perfect by any means - and what is? - but as a snappy, charming slice of well-crafted black comedy, Russian Doll earmarks itself as another stonking success for the streaming giant...

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