Prime Video’s Near-Perfect 93% Series Is the Perfect Weekend Binge Ahead of Season 2

Over the past few years, TV shows have been tackling young adult life more than ever before. From Mindy Kaling‘s now-canceled series The Sex Lives of College Girls to Hulu’s unapologetic Adults, these shows offer glimpses into the awkward, messy and hormone-fueled lives of their characters living out their late teens and early 20s. But while these are all great shows, no series has aced the task more than Overcompensating, a Prime Video comedy series that first released on May 15, 2025, and boasts an incredible 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The series, which was created, written and stars Benito Skinner, known online by his stage name “Benny Drama,” is a treat for comedy fans. Based on his autobiographical account as a closeted gay man who’s terrified of coming out in college, the series shows how much he’s willing to lose himself to fit into straight stereotypes and hide his true identity. Along the way, he sparks a ride-or-die friendship with Carmen (Wally Baram), an outcast in a more overt way, reignites his friendly rivalry with his sister Grace (Mary Beth Barone), who’s also hiding secrets on her own, and even develops a major crush on new friend Miles (Rish Shah). Throughout the first season’s eight episodes, viewers are in for a ride at Yates College, with characters who are as funny as their stories, and one-liners that will have them quoting the show long after they’ve stopped tuning in.

‘Overcompensating’ Is a Comedy Must-Watch

Image via Prime Video

While the 93% score on RT alone says it all, Overcompensating is a series that hits the funny bone, but delivers on so much more. In

Emma Kiely‘s review of the show on Collider, she echoed those sentiments, stating that while the show is quintessentially hilarious, it still balances the humor with multidimensional characters and storylines that set it apart. “Even though the script is so sharp and full of belly-laugh-inducing one-liners, what really sells the heart and humor of the show is the cast,” she wrote. “Again, this is a total gear shift for Skinner, but he’s able to imbue this fictionalized version of himself with equal parts confusion, joy, anxiety, self-hatred, and warmth while exhibiting his skill at comedic acting. Wally Baram as Carmen is just as dynamic, never falling into the tropes that female characters in these types of shows so often do — grief is part of her story, but it never defines her.”

The series’ funniest and most quotable character, seen in Carmen’s ditsy, no-filter roommate Hailee (Holmes), for instance, also shows her soft spot. “Hailee is, without a doubt, Overcompensating‘s wildest character, but Holmes ensures we see her as the endearing friend she is, helping Carmen with exploring her newfound identity while, admittedly, giving some terrible advice,” Kiely review wrote. Another notable character is Adam DiMarco‘s frat guy persona, Peter. While he projects an exterior as the ultimate playboy and bad boy, the series slowly shows it’s all a facade, letting his insecurities and doubts bubble to the surface.

Season 2 of ‘Overcompensating’ Is Already Underway

In just eight episodes, Overcompensating not only introduced its characters and packed the show with cringey, shocking and hilarious moments, but established itself as one of the best shows about college life. So, it was perhaps no surprise when the series was picked up by Prime Video for Season 2 almost instantly. The sophomore season began filming in April 2025 but has yet to announce a release date. In the meantime, Skinner teased what’s to come. In an interview with People, the creator said Season 2 “feels more queer” because his character Benny is less in the closet, which, to him, is “really exciting.” “We didn’t make a whole new show, but we did elevate it in a lot of ways,” he continued. “I think there’s a maturity to it. I’m really excited — and it’s nasty.”

In addition to the returning cast of Skinner, Baram, Holmes, Barone, DiMarco and Shah, Season 2 will also welcome some new faces. Per Deadline, the new season will also see recurring characters played by Tom Francis as Declan Bishop, Aisha Dee as Naomi and AnnaSophia Robb as Chels. Notable recurring and guest actors reprising their Season 1 roles include Connie Britton and Kyle MacLachlan as Benny and Grace’s parents, and Lukas Gage as Benny’s high school crush.

With all that said, if you’ve yet to tune into the first season of Overcompensating, you will not be disappointed. With the perfect balance of humor and heart, the series will have you laughing in every episode, and wondering why you didn’t see it earlier. Plus, with Season 2 of the series already in post production, chances are the “nasty” sophomore season is only a few months away.

Release Date

May 15, 2025

Network

Prime Video

Writers

Scott King, Mitra Jouhari

• 

• 

•