I really loved this show.. I found the plot lines interesting and the characters very engaging. Additionally, I learned quite a few things about various regions of Alaska and its inhabitants. Excellent writing, acting, photography, direction, soundtrack, and character development were evident in each episode. I certainally was looking forward to the next season! Boo-o-o-o to ABC for cancelling this promising new program! Give it another chance! Is there a possibility that another network might pick it up? I am hoping for a last minute save! What were network executives thinking? I am completely dumbfounded at their decision.
147 Reviews
Very good indeed
fashinrashin8 October 2022
We are losing local news, and its HUGE that a show like this highlites what we are losing.
The 4th estate (journalism), is one of the cornerstones of democracy, we NEED these people to tell us whats going on.
Obviously one of the main characters is the Alaskan scenic beauty. It sure looked good on my TV
Hilary Swank is perfect, the rest of the cast are excellent too. The quality of the writing is stupendous, not too preachy, it's acerbic and its on point. The reporters really are seen as doing what they do as a calling , not a job. The story on missing native women IS important.
I like this show.
The 4th estate (journalism), is one of the cornerstones of democracy, we NEED these people to tell us whats going on.
Obviously one of the main characters is the Alaskan scenic beauty. It sure looked good on my TV
Hilary Swank is perfect, the rest of the cast are excellent too. The quality of the writing is stupendous, not too preachy, it's acerbic and its on point. The reporters really are seen as doing what they do as a calling , not a job. The story on missing native women IS important.
I like this show.
Promising
sysgoddess7 October 2022
I've become skeptical of new shows over the years as they arrive with lots of splashy pre-release 'teviews' touting their glories so I've learned to temper my expectations.
The commercials for Alaska Daily showed promise despite not being the type of show I've usually enjoyed. So much promise that I'll watch the next couple of episodes before I fully decide if it's for me.
To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed the pilot and I will probably become a dedicated viewer the more immersed I get in it while hoping it won't be another show that I fall for only to see it suddenly cancelled for no apparent reason.
The actors were believable in their respective roles and helped to build the story and the scenery was stunning without looking like it came straight out of a David Attenborough show. The story was compelling and engaging.
It's really refreshing to see a show based on and in a less populated city where lives are lived much the same as elsewhere.
The commercials for Alaska Daily showed promise despite not being the type of show I've usually enjoyed. So much promise that I'll watch the next couple of episodes before I fully decide if it's for me.
To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed the pilot and I will probably become a dedicated viewer the more immersed I get in it while hoping it won't be another show that I fall for only to see it suddenly cancelled for no apparent reason.
The actors were believable in their respective roles and helped to build the story and the scenery was stunning without looking like it came straight out of a David Attenborough show. The story was compelling and engaging.
It's really refreshing to see a show based on and in a less populated city where lives are lived much the same as elsewhere.
Please renew this show!
scriptster1 April 2023
It is so refreshing to watch a series about news reporting that is low-key, serious and respectful of the profession. Given the constraints of time and storytelling, there may be some scenarios that seem overly simplistic (such as sources giving up sensitive documents or even returning phone calls) but overall it's really well done. The choice of subject matter - the disappearance of indigenous Alaskan women - gave the series tension and gravitas without lurid sensationalism. I was sorry to see it end and was left hoping for more. Some great characters and a really fine cast. Hilary Swank is superb!
Great series flying under radar, just watch it
adrian-m-miller31 March 2023
The cast is tremendous, and im not just talking about Hilary Swank (one of the handful of actors/actresses alive who practically have "Safe Bet" tattoo'ed on their foreheads), but also Grace Dove (who has one of the greatest faces you'll ever seen on screen and inhabits her character so very well). No, this is an ensemble cast, and each manages to make their character feel very real, Jeff Perry is notably perfectly cast.
But it has to be said the two strong female leads are a wonderful team of their own. Its great to see tough and negelected topics covered in a long format, over a series, that forces you to think outside your safe bubble to what native communities are dealing with, and have been for decades.
This series doesnt just serve you up a convenient bite sized grab of a topic that your instagram attention deficit brain will cast off easily, it fleshes out the how the why, and most importantly the failings of systems whose very purpose is to serve, but ultimately neglect.
There are many shows i could happily not bother to catch up if i missed them, they are disposable, but this one was one of those series where i looked forward to the next episode.
I cant wait for the next season.
But it has to be said the two strong female leads are a wonderful team of their own. Its great to see tough and negelected topics covered in a long format, over a series, that forces you to think outside your safe bubble to what native communities are dealing with, and have been for decades.
This series doesnt just serve you up a convenient bite sized grab of a topic that your instagram attention deficit brain will cast off easily, it fleshes out the how the why, and most importantly the failings of systems whose very purpose is to serve, but ultimately neglect.
There are many shows i could happily not bother to catch up if i missed them, they are disposable, but this one was one of those series where i looked forward to the next episode.
I cant wait for the next season.
Important
Morgana-Massacre21 October 2022
Let me just say, this series is very much needed. The realization that indigenous women are indeed murdered more than 10 times than the average is appalling. That doesn't even include all of the indigenous women in Canada, either. The depiction of this in the series is spot on. It's a very well acted cast. It's good to see so many indigenous actors to highlight this issue. I would like to see a series focused on actual cases, as well. Get on that, Investigation Discovery. Hilary Swank is brilliant, as per always. In a time that everyone seems to want to demonize the media, this series shows that sometimes they do get it wrong, sometimes they're heroes but they work really hard to get it right. Most of them, anyways.
Hillary Swank, Great scenery and a current topic
eunique-233-5301637 October 2022
Just watched the pilot and will definitely watch more. The series places a disgraced investigative journalist at a small local newspaper in Alaska. At first I thought it was going to be a bit trite, but when I saw that Hilary Swank heads the cast, I thought I'd check it out. She doesn't disappoint. And the basis of the Missing and Murdered Indiginous Women shines a light on a current topic that has largely been overlooked. I know people will criticize the abrasiveness of Hilary's character, but I kind of like it. So glad the boss is not the stereoptypical man, or the too-nice woman. Also, there a lot of characters that can be developed. There is some room to grow, but Looking forward to the next episodes. Hope the writing doesn't take a wrong turn and stays original.
I'm a bit surprised the show has been cancelled after one season.
jpozenel24 June 2023
The backdrop of Alaska seems a bit bleak, but the stories weren't bad. I love Hillary Swank. She obviously is the standout in this show. It would have been interesting to see how the other characters developed in a second season. The dialog seemed a bit stilted, but I've seen other shows that started out that way and improved. I hope Hillary has something else coming soon. She is very intense yet likeable. Maybe the writer's strike contributed to the show's demise. We may never know, but there seems to be many other shows that you would expect to be cancelled, but they just keep going on, and on, and on.
A hidden surprise!
nicoleyoung-7290014 October 2022
I went on my ABC app to catch up on 'Big Sky' and I stumbled across 'Alaska Daily'. This show just seems so raw and authentic, I absolutely love that its setting is in Alaska... It almost depicts how people forget about small towns and states like Alaska and their lack of amenities and resources . I love the realistic attitudes and how a viewer is able to 'dig in ' with the characters. I love the simplicity, and how the story is unfolding. We need shows like this. We seem to forget about issues that aren't in the media as much. We have strayed away from some important topics and problems...to be honest we have strayed away from doing what used to be the 'norm' reading a new paper. Thank you for bringing us back and regaining our focus. I love this show! A great start!
Its really good
TheReel142 April 2023
What i like about this it is inclusive, from the characters to the stories and its not shy about it either. I really enjoy the Eileen and Aaron chemistry and also love the whole team/actors/ress at the newsroom they are all supportive and caring of one another other and I think we are in need of that. The scenery is also really stunning. I believe this show deserves multiple seasons and can even get darker with its storylines. There is some absolute rubbish on Disney that has had a number of seasons for some reason but this actually deserves the chance at season 2 and onwards. Its honestly a must watch for anyone who wants a bit of humour, kindness, suburban, nice scenery, drive, passion unity and mysteries.
Clichè with really bad directing
mark-120-97090631 October 2022
I wanted this to be good but it just wasn't. Made it through a couple episodes before dumping it. The main storyline is a timely and important topic - the kidnapping and murder of Native American girls and women. However, the direction is so bad and so cliché that it just became a struggle to get through.
Overall, it's just badly executed with a very predictable plot, bad directing, some questionable casting, and mediocre writing.
I wanted this to be good but it just wasn't. Made it through a couple episodes before dumping it. The main storyline is a timely and important topic - the kidnapping and murder of Native American girls and women. However, the direction is so bad and so cliché that it just became a struggle to get through.
Overall, it's just badly executed with a very predictable plot, bad directing, some questionable casting, and mediocre writing.
Overall, it's just badly executed with a very predictable plot, bad directing, some questionable casting, and mediocre writing.
I wanted this to be good but it just wasn't. Made it through a couple episodes before dumping it. The main storyline is a timely and important topic - the kidnapping and murder of Native American girls and women. However, the direction is so bad and so cliché that it just became a struggle to get through.
Overall, it's just badly executed with a very predictable plot, bad directing, some questionable casting, and mediocre writing.
This is an awesome new series
dogma-5366816 October 2022
It's about time we've got a great series. Top Notch cast of Hilary Swank at the lead. Great stories, great writing. I've been waiting for this for a long time I hope it has many seasons ahead of it and doesn't get canceled. In a world of superhero and overblown crime shows this is a great change back to the days of Lou Grant and other shows about the newspaper business which is a dying breed. This is Top Notch for Hulu and definitely worth viewing. If you get a chance don't miss it. Newspapers are a Dying Breed now and after watching this you wonder how they pack so much information in their issues. It's definitely worth seeing life working at a daily newspaper before it disappears all together.
Actually pretty good! ITS A YES FOR ME
TVFan4U2C25 February 2023
Hillary Swank hasnt been around much these days. They seem to be bringing out a lot of older stars that havent been around very much.
Although im not a big fan of Hillary (she looks horrible... do something with that hair girl), she does a pretty good job here.
With so many lies and deceit in main stream media now a days, wouldnt it be wonderful to actually have real reporters again, breaking big stories and doing the real work? Not with 'opinion' but facts and doing the work that reporters really use to do.
Although in Canada, we too have a 'highway of tears' debacle, both sides say they will investigate it but never do. Most govts just talk talk talk but nobody actually ever does anything. But it is getting tiring watching society think its all the 'white' people who do it. You'd be shocked to know most ppl die at the hands of their own communities and culture.
Ill keep watching.
Although im not a big fan of Hillary (she looks horrible... do something with that hair girl), she does a pretty good job here.
With so many lies and deceit in main stream media now a days, wouldnt it be wonderful to actually have real reporters again, breaking big stories and doing the real work? Not with 'opinion' but facts and doing the work that reporters really use to do.
Although in Canada, we too have a 'highway of tears' debacle, both sides say they will investigate it but never do. Most govts just talk talk talk but nobody actually ever does anything. But it is getting tiring watching society think its all the 'white' people who do it. You'd be shocked to know most ppl die at the hands of their own communities and culture.
Ill keep watching.
Watch worthy until episode 7
tifanylake-4689912 March 2023
The topic of the series highlights the disproportionate abuse and violence against Indigenous women and the lack of government support and police accountability to address it. Totally worth watching and learning more. Then, all of a sudden, one episode is about misinformation in the media. It goes back to the series topic on episode eight.
As much as I would be willing to watch a show about the effects of misinformation, it's complicated unnecessary to squeeze in a totally different topic and hijack a topic that deserves full attention. So stupid. I would have rated this an eight if it wasn't for episode seven.
As much as I would be willing to watch a show about the effects of misinformation, it's complicated unnecessary to squeeze in a totally different topic and hijack a topic that deserves full attention. So stupid. I would have rated this an eight if it wasn't for episode seven.
Another canceled gem
kwilson-4088812 June 2023
I enjoyed this show, but if any program is to be judged on viewer numbers they might want to go back to one episode a week instead of dragging a season out over nearly a year. In the olden days TV series had 18-20+ episodes, shown one a week. You knew when it was on and scheduled your time to watch it. Now series have 6-10 episodes and you have to keep checking and checking week after week to see it an episode ran. People lose interest. Eventually, it takes so long you don't even care what happened to the characters or the story. I'm not even that much of a Hillary Swank fan, but I liked other characters, the interactions between them, and have always enjoyed "newspaper" shows. It would be cool if someone else picked this up.
Amazing Series
concave-410461 April 2023
I wasn't sure about this series at the onset. We decided to give it a shot for two reasons...the concept and for Hilary Swank. She's a great actress and I myself will watch when she's starring.
I have to admit that at first, I wasn't sure I was going to be in it for the long run but I got reeled in. Amazing storyline and well worked. Sometimes you feel that stories are told in a rush. But this series has rocked me. The scenery is beautiful and awe inspiring but the all the actors on the series are just amazing. It is an ensemble cast who work so well together that you forget this is a fictional series. Hats off to Alaska Daily...one of the few well acted series with engaging dialoque.
I have to admit that at first, I wasn't sure I was going to be in it for the long run but I got reeled in. Amazing storyline and well worked. Sometimes you feel that stories are told in a rush. But this series has rocked me. The scenery is beautiful and awe inspiring but the all the actors on the series are just amazing. It is an ensemble cast who work so well together that you forget this is a fictional series. Hats off to Alaska Daily...one of the few well acted series with engaging dialoque.
Much better than I expected
diaric-933218 October 2022
I PVR'd this to watch later and expected it to be a dry, boring rehash of other reporting shows. Boy was I wrong! About 15 mins in, the story grabbed me and made me pay attention. Great, well written characters that I wanted to spend more time with. Factual relevant issues intertwined with some light hearted scenes kept it all moving along. I hadn't watched Hillary Swank in years, didn't know what to expect, but this role suites her to a Tee, as if it was written for her. Her spunk, abrasiveness and drive make her a great investigative reporter. I hope the excellent writing continues and the characters have the ability to grow and expand. I am already waiting for more.
Quality TV Show
joegoujon7 October 2022
Down to earth TV show, looks very real not like some over the top things we see in some cliche RV Shows or movies that don't make sense.
Digging out the truth can be very hard especially when the police is part of the problem and abusing their power. Being a reporter is being a detective, you investigate and connects the dots... Deciding to report some stories or not for a reporter knowing how it will affect the people involved is a tough choice.
Nice to see Hilary Swank in action. She's a good actor and she looks real. I like also tha they talk about real issue about what happens to indigenous women in their community.
The supporting cast is good too with a mix of young and veteran actors.
Digging out the truth can be very hard especially when the police is part of the problem and abusing their power. Being a reporter is being a detective, you investigate and connects the dots... Deciding to report some stories or not for a reporter knowing how it will affect the people involved is a tough choice.
Nice to see Hilary Swank in action. She's a good actor and she looks real. I like also tha they talk about real issue about what happens to indigenous women in their community.
The supporting cast is good too with a mix of young and veteran actors.
Hook Line & Sinker
mxdwcsq5 February 2023
Just watched 2Episodes by default! Could've watched more but had to stop there & do a catch up the next day! It was so hard not to watch more but I or we just had too put a temporary stop to it until we can due to work schedule & all! Pretty darn good show plus I love Hilary Swank & her acting craftsmanship! I love the scenery too! Always been fascinated with Alaska! Love the way the story has flowed so far! Makes you want to binge but not today! Will sit it out soon! Can't wait... Will most definitely be watching it when time permits! For now we just have to wait & sit it out until the next E.
Needs to be better
ukgreek18 March 2023
There's no excuse for the too-often poor quality of this show. It's got great heavy hitters mixed in with younger, rising talents, a fantastic premise, gorgeous scenery, and "shooting fish in a barrel" choices for plotlines. It doesn't matter if the stories are new and inventive or old, the context would make them fresh enough. I'll continue to watch, but the scripts sorely need improving, and so does the direction. Actors are so wooden in scenes that require more of a response, yet the unnecessary degree of melodrama in drawn-out shots has me rolling my eyes in at least three times an episode. Maybe the actors are trying to balance that, IDK. But it needs to be sharper, smarter, and aim for higher quality. I'm giving it 6 instead of 5 stars because I believe the potential is definitely there.
The topics they cover are good and important. I wasn't crazy about the hostage episode, but it's important because journalists really are under attack and we know far-right instigators fuel alienated individuals--it was good that they showed the humanity in the guy and didn't make him two-dimensional. But the Toby subplot got shallow, predictable treatment. Really weak and drawn out in parts where that time could've been spent on a better exploration of trauma.
The topics they cover are good and important. I wasn't crazy about the hostage episode, but it's important because journalists really are under attack and we know far-right instigators fuel alienated individuals--it was good that they showed the humanity in the guy and didn't make him two-dimensional. But the Toby subplot got shallow, predictable treatment. Really weak and drawn out in parts where that time could've been spent on a better exploration of trauma.
Fresh and alive
skpn12318 November 2022
I have to say up front that Hilary Swank is magnetic in this role - attracts my eyes whatever scene she is in. But she is supported and sparked by a strong cast of veteran and also fresh cast.
There is significant coherence between the stories in Alaska Daily but it is never slow or dragging. That said, there is no rush in the pace.
One of the strength in this show for me is the extensive world building backed up by strong cinematography - I feel drawn into the Alaskan world and context on every episode and in particular the range of concerns of the reporting team.
I only wish this kind of smart insightful coverage was the norm in reporting.
There is significant coherence between the stories in Alaska Daily but it is never slow or dragging. That said, there is no rush in the pace.
One of the strength in this show for me is the extensive world building backed up by strong cinematography - I feel drawn into the Alaskan world and context on every episode and in particular the range of concerns of the reporting team.
I only wish this kind of smart insightful coverage was the norm in reporting.
Natives Victims, Alaskans Dumb, and Police Bad
True_Reviews1 March 2023
Warning: Spoilers
The title of this review sums up this show. While the dialog is actually well written, the writers certainly have probably spent very little time in Alaska. If they did, they would realize that not everyone is as naïve and dumb as they are portrayed. In typical ABC fashion, all the natives are victims because they are indigenous people and suffer because of this. And let's not forget the obligatory gay that is part of the first episode. It would not be an ABC series if this were not present. Add to this the usual corrupt Police who are made out to care little for natives and always put-up barriers to any crime inquiry from the Alaska Daily Newspaper, and you have the ideal series with left-leaning subtle political commentary. The people who work at the newspaper are poor dumb Alaskans who need Mighty Mouse, better known as Eileen Fitzgerald as portrayed by Hilary Swank, to save the day. This character is a very abrasive self-centered New York reporter that leads the dimwitted reporters and down the path to better journalism. While the series is entertaining, it is not meant for anyone who really thinks. Anyone newspaper reporters approach with a question magically gets the answer they want. In Episode 2 someone admits to arson, but it's fine with everyone and there are no repercussions. What? Are you kidding? For those who believe this, I have a bridge in Brooklyn for sale. The most contradictory part in the series is at the end of Episode 7, where Hilary Swank's character writes about how journalists are the victims of politicians and extremists. In other words, guardians of the truth. Yet minutes earlier, her colleague coerced someone into helping them by explaining that unless they did, she would slant her story to portray them as a villain. However, if they helped the story would be slanted to be a good one about how they helped. So much for honesty and truth in journalism? I guess ABC writers missed the point they tried to make in the series.
2 time Oscar winner Hillary Swank is Excellent
lisacarlson5014 October 2022
If you haven't seen much of her movie work then you'd probably not realize what a gift she is in anything she does. Million Dollar Baby is my favorite movie of hers with Clint Eastwood. It appears she's been doing more television recently. This show has a perfect Thursday night time slot on ABC for a genuine, decent drama. I've missed those on network television. The writing is obviously strong and the rest of the cast whom I generally don't know is also superb. The Alaska scenery is amazing. The show revolves around journalism and how important it is to every community. It's relevant and on-point.
Good, though formulaic, but promising
yooniverse9 October 2022
The show's premise of a fallen "big city" pro moving to a small town in the backwoods is fairly formulaic, whose "this is how it's done in the big leagues" meets "it's not the way it's done here" and the two sides will eventually reach middle ground for mutual gain. What stands out from the pilot episode is Hilary Swank's screen presence, the message of support for journalism (perhaps reminiscent of Newsroom, the earlier torchbearer for journalistic ideals), as well as a return to an Alaskan-flavored TV drama (reality TV notwithstanding), which we really haven't seen since Northern Exposure back in the 90's.
The show's message laments the decline of local newspapers, decimated by social media and the Internet, and the consequences of losing coverage of local issues that impact the people at the local level. The pilot credits the show as based on ProPublica's article, written with the help of Anchorage Daily News, "Lawless: Sexual Violence in Alaska". And that appears to be the basis for the main arc, while other episode arcs to cover other local stories and character development.
Acting appears to be decent with good chemistry. The cast of characters--though predictable clichés--lays the groundwork for character-based side arcs. The screenplay risks being a bit too preachy and shallow, but hopefully it'll settle down throughout the series. The show has promise, and worth watching a few episodes to see where it goes.
The show's message laments the decline of local newspapers, decimated by social media and the Internet, and the consequences of losing coverage of local issues that impact the people at the local level. The pilot credits the show as based on ProPublica's article, written with the help of Anchorage Daily News, "Lawless: Sexual Violence in Alaska". And that appears to be the basis for the main arc, while other episode arcs to cover other local stories and character development.
Acting appears to be decent with good chemistry. The cast of characters--though predictable clichés--lays the groundwork for character-based side arcs. The screenplay risks being a bit too preachy and shallow, but hopefully it'll settle down throughout the series. The show has promise, and worth watching a few episodes to see where it goes.
I was born and raised in Alaska and still line in Anchorage
mel_welsh3 November 2022
I started watching this show with mild curiosity given that I live (and was born) in Anchorage, Alaska. First of all, the majority of this show is not filmed here. It's filmed in Canada. There are some scenes shot here that are very recognizable but Anchorage is nowhere near as small as they portray it. And, this show does not accurately portray this state and the people in it. I know all shows will take some liberty but this one is way off. Anyway now we watch it more for the laugh value which is unfortunate because the topic they are trying to cover is a very real issue needs to be addressed.
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