Naomi Higgins
Penny
Overview
Penny and Mia are best friends, but they are not good for each other or anyone else. Leaving a path of destruction in their wake wherever they go, they say and do what they want - regardless of the consequences.
Cast
Reviews
5 min read AI-generated editorial review
The Comedy of Collateral Damage
I’ve spent the last few days trying to figure out why Why Are You Like This? sticks to my ribs. It’s not a show that announces itself with bold strokes—no sweeping cinematography, no grand themes spelled out in capital letters. Instead, it moves like a whisper campaign, the kind of comedy that thrives on the quiet, cumulative weight of small disasters. Six episodes in, and I’m still not sure if I’m laughing with Penny and Mia or at them. Maybe that’s the point.
The synopsis calls them “best friends, but they are not good for each other or anyone else.” That’s underselling it. Penny (Naomi Higgins) and Mia (Olivia Junkeer) are the kind of people who turn minor social interactions into slow-motion car crashes. They don’t mean to be cruel, exactly—they’re just operating on a wavelength where consequences are more like suggestions. A drunken text sent at 2 a.m. isn’t a mistake; it’s a preemptive strike. A workplace meltdown isn’t a failure; it’s performance art. The show’s genius, if you can call it that, is in how it makes their self-sabotage feel both infuriating and weirdly relatable. We’ve all been them, at least in our heads.
The humor here isn’t in the setup—it’s in the fallout. Take the episode where Penny, in a misguided attempt to impress a crush, claims to be a “certified mixologist.” The lie spirals when the crush invites her to a party where, of course, she’s expected to make cocktails. The scene that follows is a masterclass in cringe comedy: Penny, sweating through her shirt, Googling “how to make a mojito” on her phone while guests watch in polite confusion. The camera lingers on her face as she realizes there’s no way out, and for a second, you can almost see the thought bubble above her head: Why am I like this? It’s the kind of moment that makes you wince and laugh in the same breath because, deep down, you know the answer. We’re all one bad decision away from being Penny.
I’ve spent the last few days trying to figure out why Why Are You Like This? sticks to my ribs. It’s not a show that announces itself with bold strokes—no sweeping cinematography, no grand themes spelled out in capital letters. Instead, it moves like a whisper campaign, the kind of comedy that thrives on the quiet, cumulative weight of small disasters. Six episodes in, and I’m still not sure if I’m laughing with Penny and Mia or at them. Maybe that’s the point.
The synopsis calls them “best friends, but they are not good for each other or anyone else.” That’s underselling it. Penny (Naomi Higgins) and Mia (Olivia Junkeer) are the kind of people who turn minor social interactions into slow-motion car crashes. They don’t mean to be cruel, exactly—they’re just operating on a wavelength where consequences are more like suggestions. A drunken text sent at 2 a.m. isn’t a mistake; it’s a preemptive strike. A workplace meltdown isn’t a failure; it’s performance art. The show’s genius, if you can call it that, is in how it makes their self-sabotage feel both infuriating and weirdly relatable. We’ve all been them, at least in our heads.
The humor here isn’t in the setup—it’s in the fallout. Take the episode where Penny, in a misguided attempt to impress a crush, claims to be a “certified mixologist.” The lie spirals when the crush invites her to a party where, of course, she’s expected to make cocktails. The scene that follows is a masterclass in cringe comedy: Penny, sweating through her shirt, Googling “how to make a mojito” on her phone while guests watch in polite confusion. The camera lingers on her face as she realizes there’s no way out, and for a second, you can almost see the thought bubble above her head: Why am I like this? It’s the kind of moment that makes you wince and laugh in the same breath because, deep down, you know the answer. We’re all one bad decision away from being Penny.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reports AI-researched entertainment notes
Behind the Scenes of Why Are You Like This? (2021): Cast Quirks, Netflix’s Comedy Gamble, and What’s Next
Netflix’s Why Are You Like This? (2021) arrived as a sharp, millennial-driven comedy, but behind the scenes, the cast’s chemistry and offbeat humor might be just as entertaining as the show itself. Starring Naomi Higgins, Olivia Junkeer, and Wil King, the series follows three friends navigating work, relationships, and the absurdities of modern life. While the writing has earned praise for its relatable cringe-comedy, the cast’s behind-the-scenes antics and candid moments offer a glimpse into why the show feels so authentic.
The Cast’s Unfiltered Personalities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtvKY_HRwrE
The trio’s dynamic extends beyond the script, with each actor bringing their own quirks to the set. Naomi Higgins, known for her deadpan delivery, apparently dove headfirst into the role—literally. In one behind-the-scenes clip, she joked about her "foot-first" approach to acting, even referencing her unexpected appearance on Wikifeet, a site dedicated to celebrity feet [3]. It’s unclear whether this was a deliberate bit or an accidental internet rabbit hole, but it’s the kind of offbeat detail that fits the show’s tone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pq_CR4wxyuI
Olivia Junkeer, meanwhile, revealed a more practical side of filming: her request for a "spit bucket" during food scenes [4]. The admission highlights the less glamorous aspects of production, especially in a comedy where messy, over-the-top reactions are part of the appeal. Junkeer’s no-nonsense attitude—whether about fake eating or her character’s chaotic decisions—adds to the show’s grounded yet absurd vibe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Rx0Sddjzg
Wil King, the third lead, hasn’t been as vocal about behind-the-scenes moments, but his character’s deadpan reactions often steal scenes. The cast’s chemistry, both on and off-screen, seems to be a key ingredient in the show’s success. Clips from interviews and promotional material suggest a playful, collaborative energy, with the actors riffing on each other’s ideas [1].
Plotlines That Hit Too Close to Home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xrjRzGOrug
The show’s storylines often blur the line between fiction and reality, tackling themes like revenge, internet fame, and the pitfalls of modern dating. One episode, "When revenge on your ex goes too far," leans into the kind of petty, over-the-top retaliation that feels ripped from a group chat [5]. The humor works because it’s uncomfortably relatable—no one wants to admit they’ve plotted revenge, but everyone’s thought about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB6GDsN8FUM
Another episode, "The dangers of being internet famous," pokes fun at influencer culture and the absurdity of viral fame [6]. Given Higgins’ own internet-adjacent moment (thanks to Wikifeet), the meta-commentary feels intentional. The show’s ability to mine humor from real-life millennial and Gen Z anxieties—without veering into outright satire—has resonated with audiences.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIceL6Mi7xA
Even the more niche episodes, like "How to make money through cosplay," reflect the creators’ willingness to explore subcultures and side hustles [7]. The result is a series that feels both specific and universal, with a cast that clearly enjoys playing in the gray area between scripted and unscripted comedy.
Season 2: What’s the Hold-Up?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMNlhqt4yFE
As of now, details about a second season are scarce. A video titled "Why Are You Like This Season 2 Release Date, Plot And Cast Updates" suggests fans are eager for news, but there’s no official confirmation from Netflix or the creators [8]. Rumors about plot developments or casting changes remain unconfirmed, leaving the show’s future in limbo.
Given the first season’s reception, a renewal would make sense, but streaming platforms are notoriously unpredictable. If Why Are You Like This? does return, expect more of the same chaotic energy—with the cast likely doubling down on their behind-the-scenes antics.
The Bottom Line
Why Are You Like This? thrives on its cast’s chemistry and willingness to embrace the messy, awkward, and often ridiculous parts of modern life. From Higgins’ internet fame adjacent moments to Junkeer’s spit-bucket confessions, the behind-the-scenes details add depth to a show that already feels like hanging out with your funniest friends. Whether or not a second season materializes, the first left its mark as a comedy that’s as entertaining off-screen as it is on.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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