Susanna

Susanna is an engaging and dramatic web series, originally aired in 2013 on WIGS, an innovative digital channel devoted to exploring the lives of women. WIGS’ unique approach to storytelling produces content rich in layering and emotional subtleties; all features that Susanna exhibits in abundance. Directed by Jon Avnet and produced by Effie T. Brown and Jon Avnet, the show is filled with poignant moments which keeps the audience engrossed.

The storyline of Susanna centers around two sisters Katie (played by Maggie Grace) and Susanna (portrayed by Anna Paquin). Katie is an ambitious young woman, preparing for a critical presentation that holds the potential to elevate her career. Simultaneously, she also finds herself facing the life-altering circumstance of becoming a new mother. With the mounting pressures of motherhood and a thriving career, Katie soon experiences a mental breakdown.

As a consequence of this, Susanna, a hardworking and independent woman, steps in to take care of her sister and the newborn baby. As the older sister, Susanna is not unfamiliar with responsibility. However, her life takes a significant turn with this new addition. She finds herself navigating the undulating terrain of postpartum depression that Katie is grappling with, in addition to caring for a newborn. Susanna’s own life, her aspirations, and desires subtly recede to the backdrop as her focus, primarily borrows the colours of duty and caregiving.

The overall narrative of Susanna is unique and compelling, breaking the usual boundaries associated with the depiction of women on screen. It takes on the seldom-explored subject of postpartum depression, bringing to light its debilitating effects and the strength required to manage it. The narrative extends beyond any cliched controversy and delves deeper into layers of sacrifice, strength, and love.

Anna Paquin, an Academy Award-winning actress, brilliantly explores the complexities of Susanna’s character, successfully translating the emotional upheavals of a sister and makeshift mother on screen. Her nuanced display of fortitude, vulnerability, and empathy allows the audience to fully immerse themselves in Susanna's journey.

Meanwhile, Maggie Grace convincingly portrays Katie’s struggles and deeply-rooted anxieties. She personifies the degradation and gravity of postpartum depression and envelops it with an empathetic portrayal. The chemistry between these two actresses helps elevate the narrative, making it resonate with the audience on a poignant level.

Susanna boldly strides into the territory of raw emotions and doesn’t shy away from presenting flawed yet relatable women. It opens a lively dialogue about mental health, its implications on relationships and the effect it can have on an individual's life.

The production and the technical aspects of the series also deserve a special mention. The crisp editing, complimenting cinematography, and stirring background score help in creating a compelling visual narrative. These elements allow the audience to have a nuanced understanding of the plot and its characters.

Jon Avnet's direction is commendable in the way it seamlessly integrates the story’s seriousness with finesse and subtlety to deliver a series that is absorbing and meaningful. His expertise in steering the narrative and guiding the performances of a talented ensemble cast results in a series that is immersive and touching, though haunting in parts.

To sum it up, Susanna ambitiously tackles serious themes wrapped up in compelling storytelling. While it presents the struggles, sacrifices, and strength of women who soldier through adversities, it also sheds light on the importance of mental health in a refreshingly sensitive manner. Simultaneously dramatic and enlightening, Susanna is a bold and novel web series that appeals to a varied audience spectrum, intriguing them with its complex character development and resonant narrative.