Wayward (2025)

A gripping Netflix limited series where a small-town cop pulls back the curtain on a school hiding something sinister.

Wayward - Series Information

  • Original Title: Wayward
  • First Air Year: 2025
  • Last Air Year: 2025
  • Created by: Mae Martin
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Drama, Mystery
  • Content Rating (US): TV-MA
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (44 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 1
  • Number of Episodes: 8
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: September 25, 2025 (United States - TV-MA), September 25, 2025 (Canada - 18+), September 25, 2025 (United Kingdom - 15), September 25, 2025 (Germany - 16), September 25, 2025 (France - 16), September 25, 2025 (India - A), September 25, 2025 (New Zealand - 16), September 25, 2025 (Australia - MA 15+), September 25, 2025 (Brazil - 16), September 25, 2025 (Mexico - C)
  • Networks: Netflix
  • Alternative Titles: Nezvladatelní (CZ), Tall Pines (CA), Wayward (US)
  • Production Companies: Sphère Média, Objective Fiction
  • Production Countries: Canada, United States of America

Wayward - Plot

A small-town cop suspects that the local school for troubled teens — and its dangerously charismatic founder — may not be all it seems.

Wayward - Trailer

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Wayward - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Mae Martin

Main Cast

  • Mae Martin
  • Sarah Gadon
  • Alyvia Alyn Lind
  • Sydney Topliffe
  • Toni Collette
  • Tricia Black
  • Brandon Jay McLaren
  • Joshua Close
  • Tattiawna Jones
  • John Daniel

Writers

  • Mae Martin
  • Ryan Scott
  • Kim Steele
  • Misha Osherovich
  • Mohamad El Masri

Executive Producers

  • Bruno Dubé
  • Ryan Scott
  • Euros Lyn
  • Hannah Mackay
  • Ben Farrell

Wayward - FAQs

Where can you stream Wayward on Netflix?

Wayward is available to stream exclusively on Netflix, including Netflix Standard with Ads. All 8 episodes of the limited series were released on September 25, 2025, and are available to subscribers worldwide on the platform.

Is Wayward based on a true story?

Wayward is not based on a specific true story. However, the series draws on real-world themes surrounding coercive control, cult-like institutions, and troubled-teen programs. Creator Mae Martin has cited personal experiences with identity and belonging as inspiration for the show's emotional core.

Who plays Evelyn Wade in Wayward?

Toni Collette plays Evelyn Wade, the dangerously charismatic founder of the school for troubled teens at the center of the series. Her performance has been widely praised as one of the show's most compelling elements, bringing an unsettling magnetism to the role.

What is Wayward about on Netflix?

Wayward follows a small-town police officer who begins to suspect that a local school for troubled teenagers — and its charismatic, enigmatic founder — harbor dark secrets. The series blends mystery and psychological drama, exploring themes of cult dynamics, identity, memory, and coercive control.

Who created the Netflix series Wayward?

Wayward was created by Mae Martin, the Canadian comedian and writer best known for the semi-autobiographical Netflix series Feel Good. Martin also stars in Wayward as Alex Dempsey, the small-town cop at the heart of the story, and served as a writer on the series.

How many episodes does Wayward have?

Wayward consists of 8 episodes across a single limited series season. All episodes were released simultaneously on Netflix on September 25, 2025, with each episode running approximately 44 minutes, making it ideal for binge-watching in one or two sittings.

Is Wayward cancelled or will there be a Season 2?

Wayward was conceived and produced as a limited series, and its status is listed as Ended. There is currently no announced Season 2. The show's 8-episode run tells a self-contained story, though viewer response and Netflix's decisions could influence any future developments.

What is the content rating for Wayward?

Wayward is rated TV-MA in the United States, indicating it is intended for mature audiences only. The series contains themes related to cult manipulation, psychological coercion, and intense dramatic content. International ratings vary: 18+ in Canada, 15 in the UK, and 16 in several European countries.

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