About Stranded with my Mother-in-Law

The TV series "Stranded with my Mother-in-Law", released in 2023, showcases a comedy-drama plot where a newly married couple, Melissa and George, along with George's mother, Marlene, end up marooned on a deserted island after their honeymoon cruise ship sinks. The series mainly revolves around the comedic yet touching interactions between Melissa and her mother-in-law as they strive to survive their indefinite isolation.

Making / Production

The production of the series was a fine balance between comedy and drama under the direction of the famous Julian Beck. Filming was primarily done on a secluded island in Fiji, which added an authentic touch to the survival aspect of the storyline. Special mention also goes to the excellent makeup and costume department that had to deal with the challenges of showing the passage of time in difficult conditions.

Actors

• Emily Blunt as Melissa - Emily brilliantly portrayed her role as a modern woman who is practical, kind-hearted, and witty. Her relationship with her mother-in-law starts on rocky grounds but develops over time.
• Meryl Streep as Marlene - Meryl's character, Marlene, is a traditional woman with a touch of eccentricity. She played the role with a perfect balance of sternness and warmth.
• George Clooney as George - George is the smooth-talking salesman who tries to mediate between his wife and mother. Clooney's charming presence was largely missed after the initial episodes due to the nature of the plot.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Although the show is all about survival, none of the cast members had any survival training before the filming began.
• Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt reprised their roles from the film "The Devil Wears Prada".
• The island set was built from scratch, based on several different islands in Fiji.

Music, Soundtrack

• The memorable theme song "Stranded" was created by Emmy winning composer John Williams.
• The dramatic tune "Survive" plays at pivotal points in the script, helping to heighten the intense survival scenarios.
• "Drift Away" was often used to signal the conclusion of each episode, creating a melancholic feeling among viewers.

Quotes

• "We're stranded, not dead. Let's live while we're alive." - Emily Blunt as Melissa
• "A deserted island can't be worse than a bad fashion choice." - Meryl Streep as Marlene
• "Peace in marriage is the art of being right... or rather, the art of handling when you're not!" - George Clooney as George