Poker Face Season 2 premieres May 8 on Peacock.
By Elazar Abrahams
Poker Face returns to Peacock for a second season that, in many ways, improves on the first. The episodes feel grander, the guest stars add extra spark to each mystery, and Natasha Lyonne continues to be magnetic as Charlie Cale. Yet even with these improvements, the show remains hampered by the same structural issues that dulled the excitement of its freshman outing.
Season two certainly goes bigger. The premiere episode features a really fun performance from Cynthia Erivo, who plays quadruplets. Watching her shift between four distinct characters in one hour is a masterclass in character work and gives the episode a playful, elevated tone. The second episode welcomes Katie Holmes and Giancarlo Esposito as a bickering married couple who run a funeral home. Their dynamic brings both humor and an emotional edge to the case of the week. Other guest stars this season include Awkwafina, John Mulaney, and Kumail Nanjiani, who each bring their own flavor to the show’s signature formula.
And there lies the season’s ongoing problem. Poker Face still clings to its rigid structure. Every episode begins by showing the murder and the culprit. Charlie’s lie-detecting ability then guides her toward unraveling the how and why, but the audience already knows who. While this Columbo-inspired approach is nostalgic for some, it robs the audience of the opportunity to actually solve the mystery alongside the lead. Instead, viewers watch Charlie work out what they already know. Worse still, her ability to instantly detect lies means much of the traditional detective work is replaced with her having to convince other characters of what she already senses.
The cases themselves are more creative this time around, and the new settings add some much-needed variety. Several episodes, especially the third and fourth, lean into their distinct locations, with a particularly strong sense of “Florida-ness” that enhances the atmosphere.
Lyonne remains the show’s saving grace. Charlie Cale is a theoretically perfect role for her, blending her dry wit and offbeat charm with a character constantly on the move. She makes the most of every scene, even when the writing limits what the character can truly do.
Season two of Poker Face is undoubtedly a step up. The improved guest stars, creative cases, and varied settings give it a livelier energy. But the format continues to restrain what could have been a top-tier mystery series. As fun as it can be, the show still feels like it is working against itself.
I give Poker Face’s second season a B.
TV and City 