Natasha Rothwell Has A Message For 35-Year-Olds: It's Never Too Late!

What do we love more than a good series to watch? 

A strong BLACK FEMALE lead.

And what do we love just as much as a strong Black female lead?

A Black female lead whose story resonates with our personal experiences.

This is what Natasha Rothwell is giving in her new Hulu series How to Die Alone.

You may recognize her from Issa Rae’s hit dramedy, Insecure who played Kelli - Issa’s opinionated, yet witty friend whose ‘quick with the tongue remarks’ made her television’s favorite bestie - and now Rothwell is back on our screens with a message. Not to mention she is not only the star of this self-realization series, but also the creator!

Rothwell plays Melissa, a 35-year-old JFK airport employee who faces the everyday struggle of trying to balance working a 9-5 job, barely making ends meet, and not feeling fulfilled. Did I mention her character is afraid of flying and has never been in love? She feels stagnant in a world that is constantly moving, literally and physically. 

Incoming first episode spoiler alert!

Hulu only released four episodes on this Thursday’s, September 12th premiere night. Four more are scheduled for release Thursday, September 19. But these four were just enough for viewers to want more. 

The show starts off with Melissa having a pretty rough morning on her way to work. She drops her lunch, is overlooked by people around her, and is tackled by airport security - accidentally of course. To top it off, she receives an invitation to a wedding from Alex (played by Jocko Sims), the guy she never fully gave a chance to out of fear of being rejected, who just so happens to be her boss! Talk about the one who got away! She also accidentally causes what could be a potential freak accident involving a “loose apple.” You gotta see it to understand. This is all on her 35th birthday. 

We are also introduced to her work bestie Rory (played by Conrad Ricamora) - because we always love a good work bestie; they keep us from losing our minds feeling with the everyday struggles of work. Rory tries his best to uplift her and be her hype man - the best way he knows how at least. 

We soon learn that aside from her presumed cheerful personality Melissa has internal struggles that are unseen to the world. Comparing herself to singer Lizzo who is also 35 years old, viewers understand how she feels about herself. 

“Here’s how I see me. I’m broke, my family thinks I’m a lost cause. My love life is a joke, and the punchline is I work at an airport and I’m afraid to fly,” she tells her coworker, Terrance (played by KeiLyn Durrel Jones) who essentially lets her know that he actually pays attention to her. 

“You can’t let fear keep you from taking off,” he tells her. 

Ironically, on the night of her birthday as she is trying to assemble a piece of furniture for her apartment, it falls on her and she wakes up in a hospital bed. Because of how severe her injuries (aka, choking on her favorite food causing her to stop breathing for three whole minutes) the hospital staff lets her know she needs someone to come and pick her up. Her bestie, Rory is let’s just say “occupied” for the night and doesn’t answer his phone, leaving her to realize that she really doesn’t have many people in her life. In the next few moments, Elise, someone who unbeknownst to her words of encouragement are just what she needs to hear. Unfortunately, seconds later, Elise tragically dies. The hospital staff try to save her, but unfortunately she flatlined. Hospital staff come into the room to check on the body and Melissa hears them say that Elise had no next of kin. 

Melissa is picked up by her brother, whom viewers can assume she does not have the best relationship with, she lands herself in a bar and pours her heart out to a bartender, Allie, revealing that she just wants to be seen and wants someone to love her. 

Heavy, right? I know. 

Before leaving the hospital, we learn that Melissa accidentally picked up Elise’s belongings when she left the hospital and that same night winds up at her apartment where she finds her dog, Bubba. She instantly falls in love and takes him home. Fighting to face her fear, she decides to try to book a flight to Alex’s wedding to Hawaii, using Elise’s cards after hers declines. Eek! 

It’s safe to say that the first episode will reel you in just like it did me. 

Now listen, I don’t want to spoil everything for you. As viewers continue to dive more into Melissa’s life, we see her cultivate new relationships that force her to grow, and let go of situations that hinder her from fully spreading her wings. 

Don’t worry, Natasha Rothwell wouldn’t be Natasha if she didn’t offer a little comedic relief in between figuring her life out. So yes you’ll probably need a box of tissues closeby, but you will also giggle at her witty commentary. 

Grab your bestie, some popcorn, and a beverage of your choice, and enjoy.

-The Neighborhood Homegirl