Physical (TV series)

Physical is an American comedy-drama television series created by Annie Weisman. The series premiered on Apple TV+ on June 18, 2021. In August 2021, the series was renewed for a second season ahead of its first season finale, which premiered on June 3, 2022. In August 2022, the series was renewed for a third season. In May 2023, it was announced that the third season would be the final season and would premiere on August 2, 2023.

Premise
Set in 1980s San Diego, Physical is a dark comedy following Sheila Rubin (Rose Byrne) through her journey of self-discovery via aerobics.

Main

 * Rose Byrne as Sheila D. Rubin, a housewife struggling between her straining marriage, lifelong battle with bulimia, and newfound obsession with aerobics
 * Rory Scovel as Danny Rubin, Sheila's eco-conscious and liberal husband
 * Paul Sparks as John Breem, a conservative Mormon mall owner who begins an affair with Sheila
 * Della Saba as Bunny Kazam, an aerobics instructor and Tyler's girlfriend (seasons 1-2; guest season 3)
 * Lou Taylor Pucci as Tyler, a surfer and Bunny's boyfriend (seasons 1-2; guest season 3)
 * Dierdre Friel as Greta Hauser, a housewife who becomes Sheila's best friend and business partner
 * Geoffrey Arend as Jerry Goldman, an old friend of Sheila and Danny who becomes Danny's campaign manager (season 1; guest seasons 2 & 3)
 * Ashley Liao as Simone (season 1)
 * Zooey Deschanel as Kelly Kilmartin, a sitcom star and aerobics instructor who also acts as a manifestation of Sheila's mental illness (season 3)
 * José Zúñiga as Carlos, a restaurateur who grows close to Sheila (season 3)

Recurring

 * Ian Gomez as Ernie Hauser, a tech pioneer and Greta's husband
 * Erin Pineda as Maria Breem, John's wife
 * Grace Kelly Quigley as Maya Rubin, Sheila and Danny's daughter
 * Al Madrigal as Jack Logan, a friend of Danny and Sheila's and Tanya's husband (season 1)
 * Mary Holland as Tanya Logan, a friend of Danny and Sheila's and Jack's wife (season 1; guest season 2)
 * Wallace Langham as Auggie Cartwright (season 2; guest season 1)
 * Murray Bartlett as Vinnie Green, an aerobics instructor (season 2)
 * Anna Gunn as Marika Green, Vinnie’s wife (season 2; guest season 3)
 * Tawny Newsome as Wanda (season 2)
 * Donny Divanian as Kevin Cartwright, Auggie’s son (season 2)
 * Emjay Anthony as Zeke Breem, John and Maria's son (season 2-3; portrayed by Ian Ousley in season 1)
 * Jillian Armenante as Harriet, an ally Sheila meets in rehab (season 3; guest season 2)
 * Paloma Esparza Rabinov as Fidelia, Sheila’s assistant (season 3; guest season 2)
 * Casey Wilson as Deb, Danny's sister (season 3)

Development
In January 2020, it was reported that Apple was nearing a series order for Physical, created and written by Annie Weisman, with Tomorrow Studios set to produce. In December 2020, Craig Gillespie, Liza Johnson, and Stephanie Laing were announced as directors for the series, with Gillespie set to direct the pilot episode. The series is a half-hour long and consists of ten episodes.

On August 4, 2021, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a second season. On August 11, 2022, Apple TV+ renewed the series for a third season.

Casting
In January 2020, Rose Byrne was reported as headlining Physical. In December 2020, it was announced that Byrne was playing the role of Sheila Rubin, with Paul Sparks, Rory Scovel, Lou Taylor Pucci, Della Saba, Dierdre Friel, and Ashley Liao joining the cast. Geoffrey Arend joined the cast in January 2021, with Ian Gomez joining in April 2021. In October 2022, Zooey Deschanel joined the cast for the third season.

Filming
Filming for the first season began in November 2020 and ended in March 2021. The second season began filming in November 2021 and ended in March 2022.

Release
The series premiered on June 18, 2021, on Apple TV + globally with the first three episodes available immediately and the rest debuting on a weekly basis, every Friday. The second season premiered on June 3, 2022. The third and final season was released on August 2, 2023.

Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 65% based on 51 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.40/10. The website's critical consensus reads: "'Not even a magnetic performance from Rose Byrne can save Physical from its exhausting parade of unpleasant characters and plot choices.'"

On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 60 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

German online magazine Spiegel was delighted and pointed out the difference between American and European reception: "'...that snarky social satire pitches into body cult and consumeristic insanity to our veritable pleasure; American critics were rather appalled – without any reason.'"

The second season has an approval rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 11 critic reviews, with an average rating of 8.6/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "'Rose Byrne's blood, sweat, and tears are finally given a worthy bedrock as Physical finds its gyrating groove in this much-improved sophomore season.'"

The third and final season has an approval rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 14 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads: "'Physical packs it in with a final season that, much like a good workout, is bracing but pays off with a satisfying endorphin rush.'"