The only thriller you need to watch if you loved ‘The Polygamist’
When we described The Polygamist on Netflix as one of a kind, we meant it. But that doesn’t really do a lot to address the post-watch cravings, does it? So, although it’s difficult to find a show that exactly mirrors the premise or themes of the South African telenovela, if you’re seeking the closest follow-up, we recommend Fatal Seduction.
The 22-episode series, based on Zimbabwean author Sue Nyathi’s bestselling 2012 novel, follows wealthy CEO Jonasi Gomora, whose meticulously built life and empire crumble when his picture-perfect marriage, mistress, secret second wife, and other affairs are exposed, prompting a chain reaction of betrayal, revenge, murder, and deep family trauma.
On the other hand, Fatal Seduction revolves around a married university professor named Nandi whose carefully crafted life unravels following a weekend affair with a mysterious younger man, sparking a cycle of tragedy, deception, and murder, exposing the dark side of fragmented family life.
In addition to their South African roots, The Polygamist and Fatal Seduction both similarly embrace the prestige soap genre, organically making the shows addictive and bingeable, where the high-stakes intensity is sourced from wealthy smokescreens masking deeply crumbling personal lives.
Likewise, the primary conflict in both shows is also catalysed by the exposure of secrets within a high-status marriage. In The Polygamist, Jonasi’s public image of a perfect family conceals decades of infidelity and deception. Meanwhile, Fatal Seduction centres on a high-profile couple whose marriage is a fragile shell of secrets, mistrust, and suspicion of affairs.
In a way, the Netflix shows treat infidelity not just as a plot point, but as the engine that drives the entire story. They evidently explore the ripple effects of betrayal beyond the persons involved, such as on the characters’ extended family, business empires, and mental health, among other aspects.
Each in its own way, The Polygamist and Fatal Seduction raise the most uncomfortable questions about the institution of marriage. Most importantly, they ask whether staying together for the sake of appearances is worth the emotional toll and potential consequences that follow.
Of course, the strings of similarity also extend to the shows’ settings, aesthetics, and their proximity to cultural contexts. However, the biggest draw about Fatal Seduction that makes it a quintessential follow-up to The Polygamist is that, despite their core anchors being relationships, they aren’t just relationship dramas.
Instead, they are structured like thrillers, each spotlighting severely complex female leads – Nandi and Joyce. So, in case you’re scratching your heads over what to watch after The Polygamist, hope this helps.