Ripple (TV series)

Ripple
GenreDrama
Created byMichele Giannusa
Showrunners
  • Michele Giannusa
  • Joni Lefkowitz
Starring
Composers
  • Kristjan Bergey
  • Joel Schwartz
Country of origin
  • United States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Michele Giannusa
  • Joni Lefkowitz
  • Darren Giblin
  • Jocelyn Hamilton
  • Marquita Robinson
  • Amanda Tapping
Producer
  • Jessica Daniel
Production locationToronto
Cinematography
  • Jordan Oram
Editors
  • Paul G. Day
  • Erin Deck
  • Shelley Therrien
Running time41 minutes
Production companyLionsgate Television
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)

Ripple is an American television drama series created by Michele Giannusa. The eight-episode season premiered on Netflix on December 3, 2025, starring Ian Harding, Julia Chan, Sydney Agudong, Frankie Faison, Vanessa Smythe, and Robert Bazzochi.[1]

Premise

Set in New York City, Ripple follows four strangers (Nate, Kris, Aria and Walter) whose lives become intertwined after several chance encounters with one another. Beyond the struggles of daily life, each character is grappling with their own personal issues, from poor health and career doubts to family loss, grief and more. After the characters come together, they lean on one another to get through their challenges.[2][3]

Cast

Main

  • Ian Harding as Nate, the owner of a bar called 'Lumi West'
  • Julia Chan as Kris, a record executive
  • Sydney Agudong as Aria, an aspiring musician
  • Frankie Faison as Walter, a retired widower
  • Vanessa Smythe as Claire, Anna's mother and Nate's wife
  • Robert Bazzocchi as John, Aria's husband

Recurring

  • Sarah Swire as Ellis (they/them), an artist and employee at Lumi West
  • Marci T. House as Tara Martin, the leader of a grief support group
  • Hazel Lagrendeur as Anna Perry, Nate and Claire’s six-year-old daughter. Anna is deaf and primarily communicates using American Sign Language.
  • Isabella Astbury as Finn, a young cancer patient
  • Eden Broda as Rebecca, Ellis' partner
  • Lyra Xhoci as Nurse Angela
  • Nicola Correa-Damude as Sylvie
  • Kelly Fanson as Rose, Aria's mother
  • Tina Lifford as Brenda, Walter's late wife
  • LisaGay Hamilton as Georgia, Walter's admirer
  • Stephanie Moran as Desi
  • Christian de la Cortina as Davide, Finn's Father
  • Milton Barnes as Bill Fisher
  • Chantel Riley as Dr. Anderson, a therapist
  • Danny Waugh as Dr. Ross
  • Jasmine Ward as Carrie
  • Shanice Johnson as Celia, Walter's sister
  • Bayean Hoffman as young Walter
  • Roy Lewis as Pastor Michael

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"A Stone's Throw"Amanda TappingMichele GiannusaDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)
2"Drip, Drip, Drip"Amanda TappingMichele GiannusaDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)
3"The Twenty"Scott SmithJoni LefkowitzDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)
4"The Storm"Scott SmithMarquita RobinsonDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)
5"The Flyer"Melanie OrrEva TaylorDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)
6"The White Coat"Melanie OrrJerry KontogiorgisDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)
7"The Gift"Lisa SoperJoni LefkowitzDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)
8"The Bonus"Lisa SoperMichele GiannusaDecember 3, 2025 (2025-12-03)

Production

Ripple was filmed primarily in Toronto[4] and was directed by Melanie Orr, Lisa Soper, Scott Smith, and Amanda Tapping.[5] Writers include Michele Giannusa, Eva Taylor, Joni Lefkowitz, Jerry Kontogiorgis, and Marquita Robinson.[3]

The series was originally ordered by Hallmark Channel in 2024 for its planned streaming platform.[6] Following changes to the project’s distribution plans, Ripple was released on Netflix in 2025.[3]

Ripple includes a deaf character, Anna, portrayed by a deaf actor. Coverage of the series noted this casting choice within broader discussions of deaf representation in film and television.[7][8] The actors who play Anna's parents and friends were taught by a dedicated team of teachers and staff as an intro to ASL and deaf culture to prepare them for their roles in the show.[4]

Reception

On the review aggregator website IMDB, Ripple has an IMDB rating of 7.5/10 based on over 2800 reviews. Panashe Nyadundu of Elle (magazine) described Ripple as a "bingeable emotional drama," calling it "the wholesome series that your watch list has been waiting for."[9]

Ian Harding discussed the series’ themes of fate, loss, and resilience in an interview with Binge News, describing the show as grounded and character-driven. He noted that the ensemble cast explored how individuals respond when long-held assumptions are disrupted, and praised the collaborative atmosphere on set.[4]

References

  1. ^ Watch Ripple - Netflix
  2. ^ "'Ripple': Meet The Cast Of Netflix's Latest Bingeable Emotional Drama". ELLE. December 16, 2025. Retrieved February 10, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c Ripple, Frankie Faison, Julia Chan, Ian Harding, Lionsgate Television, December 3, 2025, retrieved February 10, 2026{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ^ a b c 'Ripple’s Ian Harding Reflects on Fate, Destiny and His Journey Beyond Pretty Little Liars by John Powell - *Binge News*, December 12, 2025
  5. ^ Ripple - Rotten Tomatoes
  6. ^ Hallmark Orders Drama Series ‘Ripple’ Set For New Streaming Service - Deadline
  7. ^ Deaf in Media: A Legacy of Impact - Melissa Cox Norris - University of Cincinnati Libraries
  8. ^ The state of Deaf representation in media and entertainment - NRG
  9. ^ 'Ripple': Meet The Cast Of Netflix's Latest Bingeable Emotional Drama by Panashe Nyadundu - *Elle*, December 16, 2025