Last Year Single is a new 13-episode romcom series that follows the lives of three female best friends navigating their intertwined paths of self-discovery. The trio, Belinda (Omoni Oboli), Tamara (Toni Tones), and Afua (Bimbo Ademoye), each face unique struggles in love, career, and personal growth, making their stories both relatable and engaging.
Belinda is a successful businesswoman who tumbled into a state of bitterness and mistrust toward men after having an issue with her man. Her spiral into cynicism is the driving force behind her arc, and Omoni Oboli does a great job portraying the frustration and confusion of someone whose expectations clash with reality.
Tamara is in a seven-year engagement, spending her time preparing to be the perfect submissive wife while her fiancé indulges in affairs. Toni Tones brings depth to Tamara’s quiet suffering, showing the painful tension between loyalty and self-worth. Her arc focuses on whether she will break free from this toxic relationship or remain stuck, waiting for a promise that may never come.
Afua, played by the charismatic Bimbo Ademoye, is an architect-turned-blogger with dreams of making it big in the blogging world while also seeking a celebrity romance. Bimbo steals every scene she’s in, lighting up the screen with her energy and humor. Her character is fun-loving, yet ambitious, and her performance stands out as the series’ highlight.
The series, written by Joy Bewaji and produced by Tomi Adeoye, does an excellent job of balancing humor with serious commentary on relationships, self-discovery, and societal expectations. While the plotlines aren’t groundbreaking, they are delivered in a way that feels relatable. The chemistry between the three lead actresses is undeniable, and it’s easy to become invested in their journeys.
However, Last Year Single is not without its flaws. The pacing is a bit slow, and at times, it feels like too many unnecessary scenes drag the story. The dialogue-heavy script works well for the most part, but some scenes could have been trimmed or cut altogether to maintain the momentum. It’s easy to feel that the show could have worked better as a two-hour movie, with tighter storytelling and fewer fillers.
Visually, the series struggles. The lighting is harsh, especially for a show featuring Black actors. Black skin is known to reflect light, while most races absorb light. This causes a hotspot to be seen on the forehead of a black actor whenever poor lighting is done in a movie. Directors often use a diffuser to soften the intensity of lights to make them appear natural and not harsh. The cinematography of this series doesn’t do justice to the actors, with the colours looking flat and washed out. The series could have benefited from a more cinematic look, as the overall visual quality feels like a step-down, especially for a show on a major streaming platform. It lacks the polish one would expect, and it is reminiscent of productions made for YouTube, like The Men’s Club.
Another issue is the series’ appeal to a limited audience. While the show is geared toward women, it doesn’t offer much for male viewers. The series focuses heavily on issues women face in relationships, but it doesn’t dive deep enough into the dynamics that could attract a broader audience. There is a sense that it could have explored more insights into what men think or struggle with, which would make it more universally appealing.
Overall, Last Year Single offers a fun watch, especially for women looking for something light and relatable. The performances, especially from Bimbo Ademoye, are strong, and the themes of sisterhood, romance, and self-discovery are well-executed. However, the series falls short in its technical aspects and its broad appeal. It’s a good first season, but there’s room for improvement if the show returns for future seasons. It gets a 5/10.
