Ripple on Netflix has been my favorite show this holiday season and is the quintessential “feel-good” series worth treating yourself to this time of year.
Originally created for Hallmark+ before being licensed by Netflix, the eight-episode drama is set in New York City (though filmed in Toronto) and follows four strangers (Kris, Nate, Aria, and Walter) whose lives gradually become intertwined through a series of chance encounters.
The writing is superb. Each character is quietly wrestling with deeply personal challenges, including cancer, grief, anxiety, and career uncertainty. These struggles ground the series in reality and give the characters an emotional authenticity that feels genuine rather than manufactured. Over time, they begin to rely on one another to navigate their darkest moments, and that sense of shared vulnerability becomes the emotional core of the series.
As a viewer, you become invested not because of grand plot twists, but because you genuinely want to see how these relationships evolve and how the bonds between them deepen. In its own subtle way, Ripple restores faith in the possibility of good fortune and reminds us of the true meaning of friendship.
Another strength of the series is its ensemble cast. With four central characters, there is always a compelling storyline unfolding, while a broader supporting cast adds texture and keeps the narrative moving.
Ripple is anchored by four central characters, Kris, Nate, Aria, and Walter, each portrayed with layered emotion and authenticity. Kris, portrayed by Julia Chan, is a record label executive operating under pressure to discover the industry’s next breakthrough artist. Aria, played by Sydney Agudong, is an emerging musician who temporarily sets aside her aspirations to focus on her mental health, before an encounter with Kris reignites her career and reveals the depth of her musical gifts.
Ian Harding portrays Nate, a New York City bar owner grappling with a cancer diagnosis while also navigating a separation from his wife, with whom he shares a young daughter. His illness forces him to reexamine his priorities and the relationships in his life, leading to an increasingly close bond with Kris as the series unfolds.
Lastly, Frankie Faison delivers a powerful performance as Walter, who meets Nate after helping him repair a sink in his bar and soon becomes a regular presence there. The series opens by revealing that Walter recently lost his wife, Brenda, whom he deeply loved, and much of his story centers on the difficulty of learning how to live in the absence of that love.
The series is deeply moving, and viewers will likely find themselves laughing and crying, both reactions feel entirely earned. While Ripple may not resonate with everyone, as some may find it slow at times, emotionally heavy, or overly dramatic, it is well worth giving a chance. At its core, the show offers something genuinely heartwarming for the holiday season. It has drawn comparisons to This Is Us, which aired on NBC from 2016 to 2022.
Ultimately, Ripple underscores how chance encounters between strangers can grow into connections that profoundly shape their lives.
Given its popularity with viewers, a second season of Ripple seems likely, though Netflix has not yet announced a renewal.
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