Alice and Steve stars Jemaine Clement and Nicola Walker as longtime pals whose friendship unravels after Steve becomes romantically involved with Alice’s 26-year-old daughter. This intriguing yet uncomfortable premise forms the basis of a six-part British comedy available on Hulu.

The series begins with Steve and Alice embarking on a humorous binge after attending a friend’s funeral. Here, Clement plays Steve, a divorced celebrity hair stylist struggling with relationships. Walker’s Alice is a fashion designer settled with a younger husband, played by Joel Fry, and a spirited teenage son, played by Tyrese Eaton-Dyce. Yali Topol Margalith portrays Izzy, Alice’s daughter, who ignites the story by becoming entangled with Steve.

While Steve hopes to keep their affair quiet, Izzy’s decision to disclose it to Alice sparks a conflict. The narrative takes a turn with Alice’s determination to end the relationship, leading to a fractured bond with Steve. Both characters explore aggression and revenge, echoing themes from other popular series.

At its core, Alice and Steve delves into the dynamics of platonic versus romantic relationships. This complex subject encourages critique of the script, written by Sophie Goodhart. Despite possessing comedic moments and strong character interactions, the script often lacks depth. For instance, the story’s depiction of Steve seems inconsistent with his background as a celebrity stylist, showing him as outdated in cultural references.

Some elements, like the change to a character’s career, appear underdeveloped. Yet the series presents standout scenes. Notable moments include the tense dialogue between Steve and Izzy, and Alice’s interaction with her husband addressing their relationship dynamic. In another touching scene, Alice aids her son in navigating young love, reflecting her complexity.

The portrayal of Steve by Clement is designed to elicit sympathy rather than vilify. However, Walker’s depiction of Alice anchors the series with energy and complexity. Her character’s intense emotional journey underpins the drama with realism.

Despite its flaws, Alice and Steve remains engrossing with its messy but relatable narrative, drawing viewers to consider the intricacies of friendship and love.