Mrs. Davis is a globe-spanning comedy-drama about a nun who decides to fight a powerful artificial intelligence, and it mostly earns the 7.8 out of 10 it received. Created by Tara Hernandez and Damon Lindelof, the series premiered at SXSW on March 11, 2023, before moving to Peacock on April 20, 2023. It ran for one season of eight episodes, finishing its run on May 18, 2023.
Betty Gilpin plays Sister Simone, a nun who teams up with her ex-boyfriend Preston Wiley to take down Mrs. Davis, the AI at the center of the show. Jake McDorman plays Preston Wiley, and Andy McQueen appears as Jay. The show also features Margo Martindale, David Arquette and Elizabeth Marvel in supporting roles.
Trailer, via Peacock.
Sister Simone Takes On Technology
The premise is simple: Sister Simone believes her faith can defeat technology. She partners with Preston Wiley, her ex-boyfriend, for a globe-spanning journey aimed at destroying Mrs. Davis, the AI she considers a threat. The show leans into the absurdity of a nun taking on a global corporation, and the tension between her faith and his practical approach drives most of the comedy.
Gilpin sells the contrast between her character’s devotion and her willingness to travel the world in pursuit of revenge. McDorman plays Preston Wiley as a man who has grown tired of the world, and their dynamic carries the emotional weight of the series. The chemistry between the two leads is the engine that keeps the show moving, even when the plot slows.
The Supporting Cast Holds Up
Margo Martindale, David Arquette and Elizabeth Marvel round out the ensemble, and their presence adds depth to a show that could easily become a two-hander. Their characters give the series a wider scope, pulling the story beyond the central relationship between Sister Simone and Preston Wiley.
A Globe-Spanning Journey
The show moves across the globe, following Sister Simone and Preston Wiley as they pursue Mrs. Davis. This travel allows the series to explore different cultures and settings, which gives the show a sense of scale that matches its ambitions. The pacing holds steady through the eight episodes, though some middle chapters lean more on setup than payoff.
Comedy With Weight
The show balances comedy with genuine drama. Sister Simone’s faith is treated seriously, and the stakes feel real even when the tone is light. The humor comes from the clash between her spiritual certainty and the cynical world around her, not from jokes at her expense.
The Limitations of Eight Episodes
Eight episodes are enough to set up the conflict and explore the central relationship, but they are not enough to fully resolve everything. Some threads get tied off neatly while others trail off without closure. The final episode ends on a note that feels more like a promise than a conclusion, which leaves the audience wanting more.
The Verdict on Mrs. Davis
Mrs. Davis is a solid, occasionally brilliant series that struggles to fully realize its ambitions within its limited runtime. The core idea — a nun fighting an AI — is strong, and the execution mostly delivers on that promise. Gilpin and McDorman carry the show with skill, and the supporting cast adds color and texture.
The show’s biggest weakness is its brevity. Eight episodes are too few to give every character and thread the room they deserve. A longer run would have allowed for deeper exploration of the world and its inhabitants, and the ending feels rushed as a result.
The Schedule
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 11, 2023 | Premiere at SXSW |
| April 20, 2023 | Debut on Peacock |
| May 18, 2023 | Last episode |
What Works
- Betty Gilpin’s performance as Sister Simone anchors the show
- Jake McDorman’s Preston Wiley provides a grounded counterpoint
- The premise is original and executed with confidence
- The globe-spanning setting gives the show a sense of scale
What Doesn’t Work
- Eight episodes are too few for a show this ambitious
- Some middle episodes lean on setup without delivering payoff
- The ending feels rushed and unfinished
Mrs. Davis is a worthwhile watch for fans of sharp comedy-drama. It takes risks with its premise and mostly pays them off, even if it stumbles at the finish. The series is available to stream on Peacock, and the full season can be consumed in a single sitting.
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