Enlightened is an American comedy-drama television series created by Laura Dern and Mike White which follows the story of Amy Jellicoe, a self-destructive executive, who, after the implosion of her professional life and a subsequent philosophical awakening in rehabilitation, tries to get her life back together.
The series aired in the USA on HBO from 20 October, 2011 to 3 March, 2013. There are 18 half-hour episodes in two seasons.
Enlightened premiered in South Africa on DStv's M-Net Series channel on Saturday 28 April 2012, at 22h30. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 2 premiered on M-Net Series with a double bill on Saturday 29 June 2013, at 20h30. The final six episodes were burned off the following week in a three-hour block. There are eight episodes in the second and final season.
Synopsis
Enlightened is an offbeat series written by Mike White and starring Laura Dern as Amy, a self-destructive health and beauty executive who has a very public workplace meltdown.
After three months of contemplation and meditation at a treatment centre in Hawaii, Amy returns rested and ready to pick up the pieces of her old life and reshape the world she left behind.
That includes delivering well-meaning, but generally unwanted advice to her mother Helen (Diane Ladd), with whom Amy is now living; her slacker ex-husband Levi (Luke Wilson) whose only solace comes from recreational drugs; and the crew of awkward co-workers Amy finds herself reassigned to.
The series follows Amy as she navigates an unconventional path between who she is, who she wants to be... and what everyone is willing to tolerate from her.
In 2012, Laura Dern won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy for her role in the series. The show was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy.
Seasons
Series exclusive to M-Net Series
Season 1 (10 episodes)
Premiere: 28 April 2012 | Finale: 26 May 2012 | Saturdays, 22h00
Season 2 (8 episodes)
Premiere: 29 June 2013 | Finale: 6 July 2013 | Saturdays, 20h30