Hulu just released the first trailer for Paradise, a high-stakes drama series that reunites Emmy-winner Sterling K. Brown with This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman. Premiering January 28, the series sheds the warm family vibe of their previous hit collaboration for a darker, tension-filled murder mystery set against the backdrop of power and politics.
In Paradise, Brown stars as Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent and head of security for the President of the United States, Cal Bradford, played by James Marsden. But Xavier’s loyalty and dedication to his role take a dangerous turn when he finds himself entangled in a murder investigation—Cal’s murder. The trailer opens with Xavier in a tense interrogation scene where authorities question his relationship with the President, even making him take a polygraph test. Their doubts hint at a web of deception, and Xavier’s position as both protector and suspect complicates things further.
Paradise is set in a seemingly perfect, affluent community populated by the world’s most influential figures, a place where calm masks darker truths. As Hulu’s synopsis teases, “this tranquility explodes when a shocking murder occurs, and a high-stakes investigation unfolds.” In one intriguing flashback, we see Xavier, his arm in a sling, joining a classified meeting with President Bradford and his inner circle. Julianne Nicholson, in a mysterious role, warns Xavier, “You’re going to want to hear this,” hinting that Xavier has been pulled into something far bigger than he realizes.
The trailer delivers moments of intense action, flashing between Xavier’s role as the President’s right-hand man and his life as a father of two. The suspense is ramped up in a climactic scene where Sarah Shahi, playing an investigator, asks Xavier if “a part” of him is glad the President is dead and subtly urges him to “say yes,” casting further doubt on Xavier’s innocence.
The series marks a significant shift for both Brown and Fogelman. Brown, who is also an executive producer, has said he’s excited to take on a complex role that keeps fans guessing. Paradise features an ensemble cast including Sarah Shahi, Julianne Nicholson, Nicole Brydon Bloom, Aliyah Mastin, and Percy Daggs IV. Each character brings layers to the community’s secrets and schemes, setting up Paradise to be a thriller packed with twists and revelations.
As audiences prepare to watch Paradise, Brown’s comments on his choice of roles underscore the appeal of this intense storyline. “I want to keep surprising people as much as I possibly can,” he shared, noting that he’s drawn to roles that challenge him and keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Brown’s portrayal of Xavier promises a blend of vulnerability and grit that could make Paradise one of his most compelling performances yet.
The show’s first three episodes drop on January 28, with new episodes releasing weekly. If the trailer is any indication, Paradise is set to captivate viewers with its intricate storytelling, high-profile cast, and timely themes of power, loyalty, and moral conflict.
Catch the Paradise trailer below and prepare for a thriller that reveals just how far someone might go to protect—or expose—the truth.