New look of Toni Collette in Netflix’s Wayward revealed

Wayward is the next Netflix miniseries from creator Mae Martin, who also stars in one of the lead roles. Premiering September 25, the series blends thriller tension with flashes of horror, punctuated by lighter moments. Set in a seemingly quiet town, where calm streets and unassuming buildings may be hiding secrets best left unspoken, it teases a world where danger lurks just beneath the surface.

Not long ago, Collider put out an exclusive first look at Toni Collette as Evelyn Wade. In the image, there is nothing loud or crowded, just her in character, but it already sets something in motion. That preview, along with the plan for eight episodes and a cast pulling from both familiar faces and newer performers, is enough to push the title toward the front of Netflix’s fall slate

There is also a certain curiosity surrounding the way this story will be told. The structure suggests a focused approach, but the premise leaves enough space for moments of unpredictability. With a fixed end date for its premiere and a defined episode count, the production feels shaped to keep viewers engaged without stretching beyond its core plot.

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Toni Collette’s first look in the role

In Collider’s image, Collette is dressed in a long-sleeved shirt with rolled cuffs. She wears round glasses and holds a small bell in one hand. The scene captures her looking toward someone beyond the frame, her expression composed yet firm. Every detail comes directly from the published photo description, making this the first confirmed look at Evelyn Wade in Wayward.

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Story and setting

Tall Pines, the fictional location where the series takes place, is home to the school that Evelyn runs. It is meant to serve teenagers described as troubled, yet the accounts given in the plot suggest the place is far from a safe environment. Two students, Abbie and Leila, reach out to local officer Alex Dempsey and his pregnant wife, Laura, to say they are being held there against their will. Their claims include troubling accounts of what happens behind closed doors.

Alex, new in town and unfamiliar with its deeper dynamics, is drawn into investigating. As head of the school, Evelyn quickly becomes the main suspect. This conflict drives the central tension of the story, confirmed by both Netflix and Collider.

The setting merges two contrasting environments: the apparent calm of the surrounding town and the controlled, closed atmosphere of the school. This backdrop supports the show’s attention to secrecy and authority while keeping the focus on the investigation.

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Cast and characters

Alongside Toni Collette and Mae Martin, the cast includes Sarah Gadon as Laura, Alyvia Alyn Lind as Leila, Sydney Topliffe as Abbie, and Brandon Jay McLaren.

Additional cast members are Tattiawna Jones, Isolde Ardies, Joshua Close, Patrick J. Adams, Patrick Gallagher, Gage Munroe, Byron Mann, and Mark McKinney. The mix brings different acting backgrounds into one project, giving the series a varied ensemble confirmed by official announcements.

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Production team and background

Wayward continues Mae Martin’s collaboration with Netflix after the two-season dramedy Feel Good. Martin serves as co-showrunner with Ryan Scott, sharing both creative and managerial responsibilities.

Euros Lyn joins the team as a director and executive producer. Sphere Media’s Jennifer Kawaja and Bruno Dubé, along with Objective Fiction’s Ben Farrell and Hannah Mackay, are also credited. These names come from official listings tied to the production.

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Wayward’s narrative approach

Public descriptions of Wayward emphasize its mix of suspense and horror, balanced with occasional humor. The core storyline centers on an investigation that grows more pressing as events at the school are revealed through the voices of its students.

Although the production has not released detailed notes on pacing or visual style, the available promotional material points to a series that relies heavily on atmosphere. The way the first image frames Evelyn suggests that non-verbal tension will be important in shaping scenes. The narrative’s contained structure supports an emphasis on character interaction and measured revelations.

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Release and format

The series will debut on Netflix on September 25 with eight episodes. As a miniseries, it has been presented as a closed story, and no official details have been given about any continuation. The episode count indicates a focus on delivering the entire plot without unnecessary digressions.

Netflix’s schedule sets the launch for the same date across multiple regions, giving audiences worldwide access at once. This approach matches the platform’s strategy for other high-profile titles, ensuring discussion builds quickly around the release.

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Closing notes

Wayward brings together an award-nominated actress known for strong screen presence, a creator with previous experience in layered storytelling, and a premise built on distrust and hidden realities. The cast list confirms a range of performers who will shape the story’s varied perspectives.

The first promotional image gives a visual sense of Evelyn Wade before she even appears in the story. It frames her presence in a way that lets viewers know what kind of figure to expect when the series begins. Paired with the set premiere date and the eight-episode format, it signals a thriller built to stay focused from start to finish. According to the official material, the mix is clear, drama, suspense, and a measured kind of intensity meant to hold attention from the opening scene right through to the end.