Prime Video’s latest series Mammals is a must-watch dramedy with a refreshing new spin on romance.

Treading the line between the lightest and darkest moments of life can be a difficult trick to pull off, but one the new Prime Video dramedy Mammals expertly leans into.

The six-episode series opens with a feeling of giddy excitement as we watch Michelin star chef Jamie Buckingham (played by James Corden) and his pregnant wife Amandine (played by Melia Kreiling) arrive at an idyllic oceanfront cabin where they waste no time jumping fully clothed into the hot tub.

Their romantic getaway then takes a startling turn the next day when Jamie, who is excitedly shouting at his wife that there’s a “f**king whale" splashing about in front of their holiday spot, is frantically called back to the house by his panicked wife who has suffered an emergency with her pregnancy.

Take a look at the trailer for Mammals on Prime Video. Post continues below.

From here, the darkly comedic drama, written by English playwright and film director Jez Butterworth, delves into the true complexities of marriage, grief, and parenthood, telling a story that seems refreshingly new, all with a sharp script and a compelling cast.

Armed with some unfortunate information he accidentally uncovered on his wife's phone, Jamie sets off on a mission to uncover a series of secrets that will forever change his home life and marriage. 

As the series progresses, Mammals asks the audience to dive into the idea of what comes after the happily ever after we usually see play out in romantic comedies, via the actions of characters who are going through a profound moment of change in their lives. 

As Jamie searches for answers about how his wife's life is changing away from their family home, with the help of his brother-in-law Jeff (Colin Morgan), we are brought into a secondary story of marriage and tension. 

One involving Jeff’s marriage to Jamie’s sister, Lue.

Lue, played by the always brilliant Oscar and BAFTA-nominated Sally Hawkins, is ensconced in her life running a small village shop (and fixated on researching fashion designer Coco Chanel) but it soon becomes clear that she has drifted away from her husband Jeff. And that her feelings of desire for him have started to shift. 

Mammals is a series that explores two very different marriages, facing different obstacles, all with sensitivity and sparks of cleverly written humour. 

And while there are some characters in the series who make very questionable choices, this is not a show that focuses on heroes and villains. 

Instead, focusing on the messier sides of true love, the real stories that bookend the moments we choose to share with the world, culminating in a finale episode that is both emotionally charged and narratively, very satisfying.

A truly well-crafted comedy dramedy is a rare find, which is why Mammals deserves a spot on your must-watch TV list. Image: Prime Video.

After all, in the series, the academic Jeff explains via a lecture that only 3-5 per cent of mammals are known to mate for life, leading to an interesting conversation about marriage and monogamy for Jamie and his wider circle of family. 

It's both the writing and performances of the cast that make Mammals a truly enjoyable and unique TV experience.

When summing up the series, Jez Butterworth, speaking at the Prime Video Presents UK showcase in London put it best when he said the series is "a relationship comedy that doesn't really discuss relationships at any point. It's more like a whodunit, and I think most relationships do end up as crime scenes, don't they? So I guess if you like James's work and Sally's work then you should watch it."

And while he's become better known of late for his celebrity profile and late-night talk show, James Corden's performance in Mammals is a timely reminder that the Tony, Emmy and BAFTA Award-winner has the skill to truly anchor a TV series.

While watching his performance as Jamie, you'll find yourself laughing out loud at some of his most humorous moments (including some great bouts of physical comedy) while also tearing up in solidarity with his moments of raw grief.

Kelly Day (VP, Prime Video International), James Corden, Jennifer Salke (Head of Amazon Studios), Melia Kreiling, James Farrell (VP, International, Amazon Studios), Albert Cheng (VP, Prime Video US), Sue Kroll (Head of Marketing, Amazon Studios) and Jez Butterworth attends the Mammals red carpet premiere and screening in California. Image: Getty.

Created by James Richardson (known for Monsters and It's All Gone Pete Tong) and directed by Stephanie Laing (known for Physical and Made for Love) with an all-star cast that also includes Henry Lloyd-Hughes (The Irregulars and The Inbetweeners) and Samuel Anderson (Witless and Another Life), Mammals is a beautiful exploration of the traces of relationships.

Mammals is also very much a series that you'll be persuading your family and friends to watch alongside you, as the storyline and subject matter are primed to take pride of place at dinner parties and in your group chat.

A truly well-crafted comedy dramedy is a rare find, which is why Mammals deserves a spot on your must-watch TV list.

Most relationships do end up as crime scenes, don't they? Find out from Prime Video's Original Series, Mammals, streaming now.

Feature Image: Prime Video.

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