Madam Netflix brings Martin Henderson to a sharper register than Jack Sheridan.
The New Zealand series arrives on Netflix in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, and it’s an easy curiosity play for Virgin River viewers who want to see what he does outside the bar in Virgin River.
Madam Netflix: what the series is about
“Madam” follows Mack Leigh, a mother who answers a marital betrayal and a mountain of debt by opening an “ethical” brothel in a small coastal town. The show keeps its feet on the ground: consent, safety, and worker agency are baked into the house rules, while the comedy comes from customer snafus and council red tape. The workplace rhythm is the point. Rachel Griffiths anchors the ensemble as Mack. Martin Henderson plays Rob, the husband whose affair lights the fuse.
Where Madam first aired
“Madam” premiered in New Zealand on Three on July 4, 2024, then reached Australia on Channel 9/9Now on February 4, 2025. That run established the ten-episode first season ahead of the current Netflix push.
Madam Netflix availability today
The series is streaming on Netflix UK, Netflix Australia, and Netflix New Zealand. It is not currently listed for Netflix Ireland. Regional catalogs do shift, but that is the status at time of writing.
Madam on Netflix: quick verdict and reception
Early reaction in New Zealand and Australia leaned positive. Viewers liked the small-town texture, the crisp half-hour pacing, and the way the show uses humor to talk about consent, labor, and family. The cautions were familiar: the tone can swing from light to heavy within a scene, and a few plot turns move fast enough that fallout feels thin. Net effect: smart, accessible, and well cast, with the occasional wobble.
Martin Henderson for Virgin River fans
Most Netflix viewers know Henderson as Jack Sheridan in Virgin River. In Madam on Netflix he tilts away from steady romance lead and into messier terrain, which makes the watch interesting if you’ve followed him through Virgin River’s softer beats. If you want more of his range, this is a clean entry point.
Will there be a Season 2
There is no official renewal as of October 9, 2025. A pickup will likely hinge on international performance, including how Madam Netflix plays in the UK and ANZ.
Why Madam works on Netflix
Episodes are tight. Stakes are personal. The “ethical brothel” frame sounds provocative, but the show’s heart is logistics, boundaries, and relationships. If you liked character-first mystery comedies like After the Party for texture, this sits nearby while keeping conversations about consent front and center.
Last Look
Madam Netflix arrives with a clear point of view and a cast that can carry it. It treats sex work as work, keeps the humor dry, and lets the town feel lived in. For Virgin River fans, Martin Henderson’s turn adds a sharper note. Season 2 is unconfirmed, so this first run is the one to catch.
Key Details: Madam Netflix
Based on: real experiences chronicled by Antonia Murphy
First aired: July 4, 2024 on Three (NZ); February 4, 2025 on Channel 9/9Now (AU)
Now streaming: Netflix UK, Netflix Australia, Netflix New Zealand; not listed for Netflix Ireland
Episodes: 10, ~30 minutes each
Main cast: Rachel Griffiths, Rima Te Wiata, Ariāna Osborne, Danielle Cormack, Robbie Magasiva, Martin Henderson
Creators: Shoshana McCallum, Harry McNaughton
Season 2: not announced
Where Madam first aired and when
“Madam” premiered in New Zealand on Three on July 4, 2024. Australia picked it up for Channel 9/9Now, premiering February 4, 2025. Those runs established the 10-episode first season before the current Netflix rollout.
Madam Netflix availability: UK, Australia, New Zealand
As of today, Madam Netflix availability looks like this:
United Kingdom: Available on Netflix. The title was added October 1, 2025.
Australia: Available on Netflix AU; it also remains free to stream on 9Now.
New Zealand: Promoted by the show’s official channels as now streaming on @netflixanz, which covers AU and NZ.
At press time there is no matching listing for Netflix Ireland in the sources we checked, even though the UK catalog has it. Regional catalogs often differ by country.
Madam on Netflix summary
Across ten half-hour episodes, “Madam” tracks Mack as she builds a business with rules designed to center consent and worker safety. The comedy comes from customer mishaps, council headaches, and family negotiations. The drama comes from stigma, secrecy, and the cost of leadership when the town knows your name. Performances from Rachel Griffiths as Mack and a strong New Zealand ensemble keep the show lively and specific. Martin Henderson plays Rob, the husband whose affair sets the plot in motion.
How it was received
Early reaction in New Zealand and Australia leaned positive. Reviewers highlighted the series’ confident tone, its small-town detail, and the way it uses humor to talk about consent, labor, and family. Praise centered on Rachel Griffiths and the ensemble, plus the show’s sense of place. The common reservations were tonal whiplash between comedy and heavier beats, and a first season that occasionally moves so fast the consequences feel light. Overall, the balance of commentary described it as smart, pacey, and accessible, with some uneven patches from episode to episode.
Is Madam renewed for Season 2
There is no official Season 2 renewal announced as of October 9, 2025. If a pickup arrives, it will likely depend on international performance, including how Madam Netflix performs in the UK and ANZ.
Martin Henderson connection: Virgin River and beyond
Martin Henderson is best known to Netflix viewers as Jack Sheridan in “Virgin River.” Here, he plays against that romantic-lead image, which is a draw for fans curious to see a different register.
Why Madam works on Netflix
Short episodes, a clean premise, and a distinct setting give Madam on Netflix strong bingeability. The ethical-brothel frame is provocative, but the show keeps its focus on work, logistics, and relationships, which helps it travel beyond its local origin. If you liked “After the Party” for texture or “Fish Out of Water”-style workplace comedies for rhythm, this sits in that lane while keeping the conversations about consent front and center.
