is available on Netflix. Availability may vary by region.

Is available on Netflix?

Availability depends on regional licensing agreements.

Can I watch for free?

is usually available via paid platforms.

5.9 IMDb

78 Rotten Tomatoes

Where To Watch Wayward — Season 1

Season 1 follows Alex Dempsey (Mae Martin), a newly arrived police officer who moves to the strange town of Tall Pines with his pregnant wife, Laura Redman (Sarah Gadon). Alex soon becomes suspicious of Tall Pines Academy, a mysterious institution run by the charismatic but unsettling Evelyn Wade (Toni Collette). Meanwhile, teenagers Leila (Alyvia Alyn Lind) and Abbie (Sydney Topliffe) find themselves trapped inside the academy and begin questioning the strange rules and methods used to “rehabilitate” its students. As Alex investigates, the seemingly perfect town starts revealing connections between its residents, the academy and a history of disturbing secrets. The eight-episode season combines psychological thriller, mystery, dark comedy and horror while exploring adolescence, conformity, identity, authority and the complicated transition from teenage life into adulthood.

Comedy Drama Horror Mystery Thriller

Release Date: September 25, 2025
Director: Euros Lyn, Renuka Jeyapalan , John Fawcett
Genre: Thriller , Mystery , Drama , Horror , Comedy
Duration: 8 episodes 40–50 minutes per episode
Language: English
Starring: Toni Collette as Evelyn Wade
Box Office: Not applicable
Where To Watch: Netflix

More details about Wayward — Season 1 and where you can watch

One of the most interesting aspects of Wayward is that its story is personally connected to creator Mae Martin. Martin has said that their best friend, Nicole, was sent to a “troubled teen” institution when they were teenagers. Nicole later shared her experiences with Martin, which became a major inspiration for the series. Nicole also served as a consultant during the writing process.

The fictional Tall Pines Academy was developed from research into the real-world “troubled teen” industry. Martin discovered connections between some of these institutions and Synanon, a controversial self-help organization that developed into a cult in the 1970s. The show takes those real-world influences and heightens them into a fictional psychological thriller.

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Did You Know

Wayward has a surprisingly deep connection to real-world cult history. While Tall Pines Academy is fictional, Mae Martin researched Synanon, a controversial 1970s self-help organization whose methods and ideas influenced parts of the troubled-teen industry.