TV Review: The Cleaning Lady–A Bold, Addictive Crime Drama Worth Your Time

In a television landscape saturated with crime shows, The Cleaning Lady stands out with a fresh perspective on the genre. The show has resonated with audiences making it a breakout hit for Fox. It debuted in January as the highest-rated new drama in two years for the network. 

The Cleaning Lady follows Thony De La Rosa, a Cambodian doctor from the Philippines, as she seeks medical treatment for her immunocompromised son, Luca, in Las Vegas. She’s forced to live as an undocumented immigrant when plans for her son’s bone marrow transplant fall through and their visas expire. Thony works as a cleaning lady alongside her sister-in-law Fiona to pay for Luca’s medical care. When she accidentally witnesses a murder by the mob on one of her cleaning jobs, Thony offers to clean the crime scene in exchange for her life. She’s hired as a cleaner for the mob by Arman Morales, the charismatic lieutenant of the Vegas crime syndicate. And so begins Thony’s journey into the criminal underworld as she does whatever it takes to save her son, stay off the grid, and out of the hands of the FBI.

Here are six reasons why you should watch Season 1of The Cleaning Lady.

More Than a Crime Drama

Thony’s entry into the world of organized crime is an exciting and intriguing story. How she grapples with the moral dilemmas of working as a cleaner for the mob and manages to keep herself alive in this violent world certainly makes for a compelling drama. However, it’s The Cleaning Lady’s focus on family that anchors the show in realism and creates an emotional investment in characters and their relationships. The show makes us feel, it makes us care. And it’s what will keep you coming back from one episode to the next.

Timely Themes

The Cleaning Lady strays from the traditional crime drama format by shining a light on important real-world topics that are rarely depicted on television. The show humanizes the plights of immigrant families and undocumented workers through an empathetic lens. The constant fear of deportation, being subjected to indignities by those in power, and the terrifying reality of ICE raids permeate the lives of Thony and her family. We feel the unfairness of the American healthcare system when Luca is unable to receive critical medical care. Including these timely stories in The Cleaning Lady is a bold new approach to a crime show.

POC Representation

It’s heartening to see the beautifully diverse cast of The Cleaning Lady being celebrated on a major network like Fox. It’s the network’s first primetime series to feature a Southeast Asian actress and character in a lead role. Moreover, the story is told primarily from a Cambodian immigrant’s point of view and centers on a Filipino family. The writers take great care to tell these stories of the marginalized with sensitivity and authenticity. 

Compelling, dynamic characters

Élodie Yung’s nuanced portrayal of Thony anchors the show to its family roots. Thony is an intelligent, resourceful, and tenacious woman whose every choice is motivated by the love she has for her son Luca. 

Adan Canto perfectly embodies the charm and swagger necessary to play Arman. Arman is a complex character who shifts from intimidating and dangerous one moment to compassionate and vulnerable the next. 

Martha Millan brings an infectious energy to Fiona that makes her character instantly likable. Fiona is strong, independent, and just a little bit messy. She adds a much-needed light-heartedness to the show that balances out the more serious elements.

Oliver Hudson plays Garrett Miller, an overconfident and questionable FBI agent determined to dismantle the Vegas crime syndicate and put Arman in prison. He’s not above using threats and harsh tactics to pressure Thony into being his informant.

Fast-Paced Narrative

The Cleaning Lady increases the stakes and heightens the tension with each episode. The writers strike the right balance of driving the plot forward and developing character arcs simultaneously. There’s plenty of twists and thrills to keep you hooked till the final moments of the season. The fast-paced storytelling makes the show an addictive binge watch. 

The Romantic Tension

There’s only one pairing on The Cleaning Lady that is building towards a romantic relationship and that is Thony and Arman. Despite being married to others, Thony and Arman have an undeniable connection. The show is taking a decidedly slow-burn approach with them. Every interaction of theirs—an intense gaze or being in close proximity–ignites their palpable chemistry. They start off with a mutually beneficial arrangement—Thony cleans up crime scenes and Arman provides access to medical treatments for Luca. But when the FBI enters the picture their mutual respect for one another evolves into an unbreakable bond of trust and loyalty. They go from cleaning lady/mobster to committed partners by season’s end.  I’m excited to see Thony and Arman’s relationship continue to develop should there be a season two.

Be sure to read Pop-Culturalists’s exclusive interviews with the producers and cast of the series.

Season one of The Cleaning Lady is now available for streaming on Fox and Hulu.

Photo Credit: Kurt Iswarienko/FOX