Chuck Lorre, the undisputed “King of Sitcoms,” has built a television empire with hits like The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, and Mom, earning him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and multiple Golden Globe Awards. His latest venture, Leanne, a Netflix multicam sitcom, premiered on July 31, 2025, and has sparked heated discussion among critics and audiences alike. Despite debuting to an 82% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes—Lorre’s lowest in four years since United States of Al’s 31%—the show has captured viewers’ hearts, boasting a near-perfect 93-100% audience score on the Popcornmeter. Described as “so funny” and “a refreshing new comedy,” Leanne combines Southern wit, family dynamics, and Lorre’s signature blend of heart and humor. Here’s everything you need to know about the release schedule, cast, plot, and why this sitcom is a must-watch despite its critical dip.
Release Schedule and Expected Premiere
Leanne dropped all 16 episodes on Netflix on July 31, 2025, aligning with the streaming giant’s binge-release model. Announced in April 2024, the series was co-created by Chuck Lorre, comedian Leanne Morgan, and Susan McMartin, with production handled by Chuck Lorre Productions and Warner Bros. Television. The rapid turnaround from announcement to premiere reflects Netflix’s confidence in Lorre’s track record and Morgan’s rising star power following her 2023 Netflix comedy special I’m Every Woman. The show’s debut secured the No. 2 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 TV Shows list for July 27-August 2, 2025, trailing only The Umbrella Academy Season 4, with millions of views in its first week.
As of August 2025, Netflix has not confirmed a second season, but the show’s strong audience reception and Lorre’s history of long-running series suggest renewal is possible. If greenlit, Season 2 could arrive as early as mid-2026, given Netflix’s typical 12-18 month production cycle for multicam sitcoms. The series is currently available exclusively on Netflix globally, with no region-specific release delays reported, making it accessible to international audiences in the UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond. Fans can stream all episodes in 4K with a Netflix Standard or Premium subscription, and the live-audience format adds a nostalgic charm reminiscent of Lorre’s CBS classics.
The Cast: A Talented Ensemble
Leanne stars stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan in her first leading role as Leanne Murphy, a 50-something grandmother navigating life after her husband’s betrayal. Morgan’s Southern charm and comedic timing, honed over 25 years in stand-up, shine through, with critics praising her as “a unique comedic force.” Her performance anchors the show, blending relatability with laugh-out-loud moments, as noted by Collider: “Leanne combines goofiness and sincerity to give a platform to women who struggle to believe they can have a second lease on life.”
The ensemble is packed with sitcom veterans and fresh faces. Kristen Johnston (3rd Rock from the Sun, Mom) plays Carol, Leanne’s twice-divorced younger sister and emotional rock, delivering sharp one-liners with her signature flair. Celia Weston (Dead Man Walking) and Blake Clark (Home Improvement) portray Mama Margaret and Daddy John, Leanne’s parents, whose enduring marriage contrasts with her upheaval. Ryan Stiles (Whose Line Is It Anyway?) stars as Bill, Leanne’s husband who leaves her for a younger woman, bringing a mix of charm and smarm to the role. Graham Rogers (Ray Donovan) plays Tyler, Leanne’s son, a new dad working at his father’s RV Emporium, while Hannah Pilkes (The Sex Lives of College Girls) is Josie, Leanne’s daughter, adding youthful energy.
Recurring cast members include Tim Daly (Wings), Jayma Mays (Glee), Annie Gonzalez (Gentefied), and Blake Gibbons (General Hospital), who deepen the show’s family and community dynamics. The ensemble’s chemistry, filmed in front of a live studio audience, has been a highlight, with fans on X calling the cast “perfectly matched” and “a joy to watch.” Morgan herself told Netflix’s Tudum, “Filming in front of a live audience was especially comfortable. By the end of the season, it really felt like home.”
The Plot: A Fresh Start with Southern Flair
Leanne follows Leanne Murphy, a Tennessee grandmother whose seemingly perfect life—complete with a husband, adult children, and grandkids—implodes when her husband of 33 years, Bill, leaves her for a younger woman. The official logline describes it: “Starting over when you’re a grandmother and in menopause isn’t exactly what she had in mind, but with the help of her family, she will navigate this new chapter with grace, dignity, and jello salad.” The series blends Lorre’s classic multicam format with a modern twist, focusing on a middle-aged woman’s reinvention, a theme resonant with his earlier works like Mom and Cybill.
The show opens with Leanne reeling from Bill’s betrayal, forcing her to move back in with her parents, Mama Margaret and Daddy John. Her sister Carol, a seasoned divorcee, encourages Leanne to embrace single life, leading to comedic misadventures in dating, parenting, and rediscovering her identity. Tyler, her son, struggles under his domineering wife’s thumb, while Josie, her daughter, navigates her own career and love life. The series weaves in Southern staples like church socials and jello salad, poking gentle fun at cultural quirks while grounding the humor in universal themes of resilience and family.
Episodic plots include Leanne’s awkward re-entry into the dating scene, a disastrous RV Emporium event orchestrated by Bill, and family gatherings that spiral into chaos. The season’s arc follows Leanne’s journey from heartbreak to empowerment, with subplots exploring Tyler’s marriage and Carol’s own romantic entanglements. While the show avoids murder or thriller elements, its emotional stakes and rapid-fire humor keep viewers engaged. Some critics, like those on IMDb, have called the humor “outdated” or reliant on sitcom tropes, but others, like Collider, praise its “comforting and humorous” take on second chances.
Why It’s a Must-Watch Despite the Critics
Despite its 82% Rotten Tomatoes score being Lorre’s lowest since United States of Al’s 31% in 2021, Leanne has resonated deeply with audiences, earning a 93-100% Popcornmeter score based on over 100 ratings. Fans on Reddit and X describe it as “so funny” and “a feel-good escape,” with one viewer noting, “It’s like Reba meets The Golden Girls with a modern twist.” The show’s strength lies in its relatability—Leanne’s struggle to rebuild her life at 50 speaks to women often overlooked in Hollywood, a point Lorre emphasized in a Tudum interview: “Hollywood has ignored middle-aged women. Leanne’s story is universal.”
Critics are divided. ScreenRant notes that while the 82% score is “fresh,” it’s a step down from Lorre’s heavier hitters like The Big Bang Theory (81% average) or The Kominsky Method (93%). Some, like an IMDb reviewer, call it “an outdated mess,” citing a reliance on multicam clichés and predictable gags. Others, like MovieWeb, celebrate its “Southern wit and candid conversation,” arguing it fills a gap for family-centered comedies. The live-audience format, while divisive on streaming platforms, adds a nostalgic warmth, and Morgan’s stand-up-honed delivery elevates even familiar setups.
The show’s 16-episode length—longer than Lorre’s typical 10-12 episode Netflix orders—allows for deeper character development, though some critics argue it feels padded. Posts on X highlight standout moments, like Leanne’s church potluck meltdown, as “comedy gold.” The ensemble’s chemistry, particularly between Morgan and Johnston, carries the show through weaker plots, with fans calling their sisterly banter “the heart of the series.”
Looking Ahead
Leanne marks a bold step for Lorre into Netflix’s streaming landscape, following The Kominsky Method and the canceled Bookie (90% RT). Its success, despite a critical dip, underscores Lorre’s knack for crafting crowd-pleasers. As he develops a Big Bang Theory spinoff for Max, Leanne proves his multicam formula still resonates, especially with audiences craving lighthearted fare. Whether it earns a second season depends on Netflix’s viewership data, but its Top 10 performance and fan fervor are promising signs.
For now, Leanne is a must-watch for fans of Lorre’s heartfelt humor and Southern charm. Stream it on Netflix to join the debate: is it an outdated mess or a refreshing comedy gem? With Leanne Morgan’s infectious energy and a cast that delivers laughs, it’s a binge worth taking.
