Imagine you’re reading your favorite book. How do you picture the characters? The setting? I read Daisy Jones & the Six, written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, when it released in 2019. This book is unique, as it is written completely in interview transcripts, and includes original written songs. It stuck with me for a long time, and I always thought it would make an amazing movie or TV show. Three years later and I finally get to see these characters and songs come to life, and it does not disappoint!
Daisy Jones & the Six immerses viewers in the world of ’70s Rock ‘N Roll
Daisy Jones & the Six follows the rise to fame of the iconic 1970s band of the same name, and their magnetic, but feuding, leading members—Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin). (If this reminds you of Fleetwood Mac, then you’re not alone!) The show takes viewers on an emotional journey from start to finish.
It is partly a character study of Daisy and Billy, and the struggles they face with addiction, forbidden love, and trauma, and partly a deep dive into the culture of sex, drugs, and rock and roll in the ’70s. Along the way, we are treated to a stunning soundtrack and a story of found family.
Who is in the Daisy Jones and the Six cast?
One of my favorite things to come from Daisy Jones & the Six is the cast. Particularly, Riley Keough as Daisy and Sam Claflin as Billy. While I am reading novels, I generally have an idea in my head of what I think the characters look like and what their energy is. In this case, Keough and Claflin perfectly embody how I pictured Daisy and Billy. Not only that, but their chemistry is palpable and electric, which is another important element needed to stay true to the book.
Of particular importance to this series, they are both extremely talented musicians. With Riley Keough’s soulful voice and erratic behavior on stage and Sam Claflin’s passionate singing, they encapsulate Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne’s musical styles perfectly. As a fan of the book, it is amazing to see these characters brought to life.
The supporting cast also does not disappoint. Karen Sirko and Camila Dunne are two of my favorite characters in the book, and Suki Waterhouse and Camila Morrone portray them beautifully. Nabiyah Be is stunning as Simone and gives us a poignant performance as Daisy’s confidante. Each supporting cast member lifts the story with added depth and emotion.
Is Daisy Jones and the Six a real band?
While reading the book, despite knowing that Daisy Jones & the Six is a fictional band, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s beautiful writing managed to convince me that they are real. (I even remember googling them a few times to be sure!) The show brings the fictional band from the page to the screen with original written songs based on the iconic album Aurora from the book. The fact that some of these songs now exist in real life is surreal.
Daisy Jones & The Six delves deep into the real-life ’70s rock and roll lifestyle. The show, similarly to the book, hooks the audience immediately, teasing them about the mysterious and abrupt disbanding of our titular band at the height of their fame. The show presents the story as a VH1 Behind the Music-style documentary, with the narrator interviewing the band members years after they break up, finally ready to tell the truth about what happened. Audiences will enjoy the mystery and intrigue portrayed by this unique style of storytelling.
Daisy Jones & the Six features a phenomenal soundtrack. Fans of Classic Rock will wonder if they are at a concert, jamming along to their favorite classic hits. In addition, the original songs written for the show are stellar, and I have already added some to my favorite playlists.
Daisy Jones & the Six takes you on an emotional journey
Most adaptations are not perfect, and I think Daisy Jones & the Six will garner some mixed reactions from fans of the book. However, the show works in giving us the complicated and meaningful relationships between the characters and strong storytelling. It starts off a bit slow, but it quickly picks up with shocking storylines and lots of questionable decisions made by the characters. The show perfectly builds tension and intrigue throughout with teases of what’s to come and gives us some satisfying payoffs. Additionally, the cast’s performances are charismatic and leave a lasting impression.
Ultimately, Daisy Jones & the Six is a hit. It evokes a lot of the same emotions I felt while reading the book. This notion, coupled with the wonderful portrayals of the characters, the soundtrack, and the fantastic finale which had me in tears, gave me exactly what I hoped for with this adaptation of one of my favorite books.
Daisy Jones & the Six streams March 3, 2023, on Prime Video.
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