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Uncorking TV's 'White Wine Thriller' Phenomenon
13 Aug
Summary
- A new term, 'white wine thriller,' describes a specific genre of TV shows.
- These thrillers feature female protagonists and target a female audience.
- The genre is considered profitable, with Peacock seeing success from it.
A new genre descriptor, 'white wine thriller,' is gaining traction in the television industry, evoking a specific type of programming. These thrillers are characterized by their lighter tone, limited fatalities, and aspirational settings, often featuring wealthy characters and appealing to a female demographic. Examples include Netflix's "The Perfect Couple" and Hulu's "Nine Perfect Strangers."
The term originated at Peacock, with executives describing it as a genre that is "light, refreshing, enjoyable." The 2025 miniseries "All Her Fault" is cited as a prime example, achieving significant success and Emmy nominations, contributing to Peacock's profitability. This success suggests a growing investment in this category.
While some argue the term might be reductive, it offers clarity in a crowded market, allowing for easier categorization of shows. A distinction is also made with 'red wine thrillers,' which are darker, grittier, and feature higher body counts, such as HBO's "Sharp Objects."
