Timothy Olyphant And Zazie Beetz Led One Of HBO’s Best Miniseries Of The Decade

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I honestly can’t believe more people aren’t talking about HBO Max’s Full Circle! Knowing the incredible cast and that it’s on HBO, it’s a bit surprising. HBO has consistently delivered some of the greatest limited series ever – think Band of Brothers or Chernobyl – and they always seem to attract the biggest names in the industry, like Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Mike Nichols. It’s a platform known for quality, and I think this show deserves more attention.

Despite being created by Ed Solomon, one of the minds behind the popular Bill & Ted movies, and directed by Steven Soderbergh, the 2023 series Full Circle didn’t attract much attention. With Timothy Olyphant, a well-known face from Western television, in the cast, many expected it to be a hit, but it largely flew under the radar.

What Is Full Circle About?

Unlike the humor of Bill & Ted, Full Circle is a serious mystery miniseries centered around a kidnapping that quickly spirals out of control. When Sam and Derek Browne, a wealthy couple in New York City, find out their teenage son, Jared, has been abducted, they are understandably devastated.

This case is far from simple, because the Brownes have strong ties to the criminal group that kidnapped their son. The story starts as a personal tragedy, but it quickly grows into a larger exploration of issues like social class, race, and the lasting effects of colonialism, all culminating in a thrilling finale in Full Circle.

Full Circle Boasts An Amazing Cast

Timothy Olyphant is a fantastic actor, and he’s joined by a truly impressive cast in this series. Claire Danes, known for her roles in shows like My So Called Life, Homeland, and The Beast in Me, plays Derek’s wife, Sam, in Full Circle.

Many mystery miniseries struggle with uninteresting police characters, but this one avoids that pitfall. Zazie Beetz is captivating as Mel Harmony, the determined detective leading the kidnapping investigation, and Jim Gaffigan delivers a surprisingly strong dramatic performance as her patient but weary boss, Manny Broward.

Okay, so I recently discovered this HBO show called Full Circle, and honestly, the cast alone is a huge draw. Jharrel Jerome, CCH Pounder, Dennis Quaid, Suzanne Savoy… seriously, you’ve got some incredibly talented people involved. It’s a bit of a hidden gem, and I think it really deserves more attention – you can’t go wrong with this one!

Full Circle Is One Of HBO’s Most Underrated Miniseries

Mysteries presented as limited series are often very popular with viewers. In the fall of 2025, Claire Danes, known for her role in Full Circle, starred in the hit Netflix thriller The Beast in Me. Around the same time, another kidnapping mystery series, All Her Fault, also drew a large audience.

HBO is known for high-quality mystery limited series like Mare of Easttown and The Undoing, and Full Circle is just as good. With strong acting and direction from Steven Soderbergh, Full Circle truly feels like a top-tier HBO production.

The show received positive attention for feeling genuine and highlighting communities often left out of mainstream media. Unlike other recent limited series with mostly white actors, Full Circle stands out by centering a story around Queens’ Little Guyana, a neighborhood rarely seen in New York City mysteries that usually focus on wealthy Manhattan settings.

As a total film and TV buff, I can tell you that Full Circle really delivers. If you’re into mysteries, or you’re a fan of any of the incredibly talented actors involved, seriously, you need to check out this HBO series. It’s just good TV, plain and simple, and it deserves to be on your watchlist.

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2026-02-07 23:28