I need you to open up your group chat right now, because we have a collective situation to discuss.

As Mamamia's resident dating authority and someone whose job as co-host of a pop-culture and entertainment podcast, I am literally required to consume endless amounts of television. Translation: I am usually pretty hard to surprise.

However, I have good news for all TV/romcom lovers… a brand-new show just dropped a premise into the pop culture zeitgeist that has officially split my group chats entirely down the middle (in a good way).

It's the new Paramount+ Australia original series, Two Years Later. And it's the exact antidote for anyone thoroughly exhausted by picture-perfect onscreen love. The stories where everyone looks like they've just stepped out of a professional hair and makeup sesh, and you can spot from a mile off that everything's neatly going to work out.

The setup is wild, endearing and… lowkey chaotic. Two people (Emily and Ryan) partake in regular flirtation on their daily bus commute. It's cute, it's giggly, it's full of heavy eye contact and it's the type of flirtation where no one else within that proximity (the other bus passengers) exists.

However, as all rom-coms go, there has to be a "but." And this "but" rings true to all of us.

Emily and Ryan's love story comes to a sudden halt when the pandemic hits and completely derails everything.

Fast-forward… two years later (apt name btw).

Our faves unexpectedly reconnect, and instead of just grabbing a casual coffee or a drink, Ryan, played brilliantly by Brenton Thwaites, throws down an absolute curveball of a proposal to Emily, played by (the also brilliant) Phoebe Tonkin. He suggests they go on eight dates, and at the end of them, decide if they should get married.

I know, I know, it sounds absolutely unhinged. Stick with me. After diving into the series, I'm here to tell you that this high-stakes social experiment is actually pure genius.

The 'eight-date' test.

If you haven't experienced the wild, wild world of modern dating. I'll explain it to you in three words: Exhausting, confusing, insane.

You spend weeks texting, decoding those texts and then having those texts go completely unanswered. The unique eight-date structure of Two Years Later completely flips the script. Because each of the eight episodes represents exactly one date, the show strips away the filler and forces Emily and Ryan to lay all their cards on the table and because we as an audience are explicitly aware of our time limit with our characters, it's like we're right there driving the bus.

Instead of a drawn-out "will they, won't they" that drags on for seasons, the tension is dialled up to an eleven from the very first episode. You are instantly, emotionally invested because every single encounter matters. Episode one kicks off with their sudden reunion and the (crazy) decision to actually agree to this experiment. From there, episodes two through seven become an absolute crucible of real-life adult milestones.

By treating each date as a distinct chapter, the show explores relationships through a very realistic lens: personal revelations, unexpected family drama, professional upheavals, and something that can completely break a relationship: clashing worldviews.

As someone who personally dated during the pandemic era, this show hit a little too close to home for me in the best way possible. It was a very weird time to date. Relationships were fast-tracked, the connections abruptly evaporated, and we all experienced a collective re-evaluation of what we actually want out of life.

Two Years Later captures that realism with so much heart. The characters are complex, flawed, and deeply relatable people trying to figure out if fate or coincidence brought them back together.

The (very, very good) cast.

Two Years Later world premiere in Gold Coast. Image: Getty.

Aside from the brilliant premise, I need to talk about our two main leads.

Phoebe Tonkin and Brenton Thwaites have an undeniable chemistry that carries the emotional weight of the series effortlessly. Plus, for an extra layer of multi-generational heart and resilience, the show features legendary actors Heather Mitchell (Fake, Love Me) and Roy Billing (Jack Irish).

Brenton Thwaites, Roy Billing and Heather Mitchell. Image: Paramount+ Australia.

The verdict.

Whether your group chat thinks eight dates is a genius shortcut to happily-ever-after or a fast track to psychological warfare (vibes), the quality of this series is undeniable.

It's funny, it's raw, it's deeply moving, and it will make you look at your own relationship benchmarks entirely differently. I highly recommend watching this at the same time as your girlfriends because the discussions over drinks after each episode will be HEATED (in a fun way) (no promises).

Also, if you're like me and love a binge, all eight episodes of Two Years Later are dropping at once, so you can watch the whole thing in one go (highly recommend) or if you have more self-control than me, you can, of course, pace yourself (must be nice).

Clear your calendar, rally your friends, and get ready to debate the marriage question.

All episodes of Two Years Later are now streaming exclusively on Paramount+.

Featured image: Paramount+.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Paramount+

The highly anticipated Australian, eight-part original series, Two Years Later, is available to stream now only on Paramount+.