Paramount+ has released Little Disasters, a gripping 8-part psychological thriller adapted from Sarah Vaughan’s bestselling novel, and it’s already proving to be the kind of series that crawls under your skin and refuses to let go. Starring Diane Kruger and Jo Joyner in career-defining roles, this British production delivers a slow-burn narrative that starts deceptively simple but unravels into a devastating examination of trust, guilt, and the fragility of female friendships.

At first glance, the story appears domestic and relatable: four close friends — all mothers — navigating the chaos of family life. Liz (Joyner) is the devoted stay-at-home mum who seems to have it all together; Charlotte (Kruger) is the high-achieving doctor with a picture-perfect facade. Their bond, forged over a decade of playdates and shared secrets, feels unbreakable. But everything changes in a heartbeat when Liz’s baby is rushed to hospital with a serious injury, and doctors — including Charlotte — begin to suspect it wasn’t an accident.

One split-second decision. One impossible choice. And suddenly, a baby’s life hangs in the balance while a friendship cracks under suspicion. As investigations intensify, dark secrets surface: hidden resentments, unspoken jealousies, and buried traumas that turn allies into adversaries. The series masterfully builds tension through subtle glances, loaded silences, and escalating doubt, making every moment feel heavy and painfully real.

Kruger is chilling as Charlotte, a mother torn between professional duty and personal loyalty, her composure masking growing paranoia. Joyner, as Liz, delivers a raw, ripped-apart performance — a woman fighting to protect her family while questioning her own memories. The supporting cast, including Shelley Conn and Emily Taaffe as the other friends, adds layers of complexity, showing how grief and fear can erode even the strongest bonds.

What elevates Little Disasters beyond typical domestic thrillers is its unflinching focus on motherhood’s darker side: the isolation, the judgment, the unspoken competition. Directed by Eva Husson with a restrained yet suffocating style, the series uses close-ups and muted colours to mirror the characters’ emotional claustrophobia.

Critics have praised its emotional authenticity. The Guardian called it “a masterful slow-burn that hits like a gut punch,” while Variety noted: “Kruger and Joyner’s chemistry — loving yet laced with suspicion — is devastating.” Viewers report binge-watching all episodes, unable to stop as fear, guilt, love, and betrayal collide.

Adapted faithfully yet expanded for screen by Sarah Phelps (A Very British Scandal), the series captures Vaughan’s novel’s nuance while adding visual dread. It’s the kind of story that keeps you up at night, questioning trust and truth long after the credits roll.

For fans of Big Little Lies or The Undoing, Little Disasters is essential viewing — a thriller that feels intimate yet universal, proving small cracks can lead to catastrophic falls. Diane Kruger and Jo Joyner deliver performances that linger, making this Paramount+’s standout drama of the season.