“Love in the Time of Corona”

Relationships are hard work, even on a good day, so when you factor in a global pandemic that leaves you trapped in your home, “hard work” doesn’t even begin to cover it. On Saturday, Aug. 22, the realities of managing a relationship in the midst of a pandemic are brought to light in the premiere of this drama. The series has a similar feel to “Modern Love” or the 2003 classic “Love Actually” as it focuses on four very different couples whose lives all interweave. The first couple is James (Leslie Odom Jr., “Smash”) and Sade (Nicolette Robinson, “The Affair”), who, despite having a child together, lead very separate lives as she raises their kid and he travels constantly for work. However, when the pandemic hits, James is suddenly at home full time, and their relationship becomes strained. Also featured are Nanda (L. Scott Caldwell, “Lost”) and Charles (Charles Robinson, “Hart of Dixie”), who have been together for 50 years but are forced apart when the lockdown leaves Charles stuck in a rehab facility. Elsewhere, Paul (Gil Bellows, “Patriot”) and Sarah (Rya Kihlstedt, “Charmed”) have been secretly separated for months and are forced to maintain their ruse of being happily married when they are stuck in quarantine with their newly single daughter. The series doesn’t focus exclusively on pre-existing relationships, though. It also follows the story of Oscar (Tommy Dorfman, “13 Reasons Why”) and Elle (Rainey Qualley, “Ocean’s 8,” 2018), who have a platonic friendship that becomes complicated as Elle develops feelings for Oscar just as his latest fling starts to become serious. Whether you’re single or in a serious relationship, don’t miss the series premiere of this deeply relatable drama.