Georgia natives appear in the new Netflix dating show for people over 50, ‘Later Daters’
*The following may contain spoilers for season one of “The Later Daters.”
Forget Golden Bachelor, the Netflix show “Later Daters” delivers the stories of six “silver singles” from Georgia trying for a second (or third, fourth or fifth in some cases) shot at love. Most of the daters hail from the Atlanta area, but one single, ex-Army paratrooper Nate Brown, is originally from Macon’s nearby neighbor Columbus.
Executive-produced by former First Lady Michelle Obama and the creators of Love on the Spectrum, the show follows individuals in their 50s, 60s and 70s, some of which have been single for more than a decade. The show is a new way to look at dating in the 21st century through a demographic of folks who often get overlooked.
Logan Ury, a Harvard-trained behavioral scientist, is the professional dating coach guiding the singles through a series of blind dates, offering advice on how to bring their dating strategies into the modern age. Each of the cast goes on a series of blind dates, with pep talks and (sometimes) provocative advice from the expert who is hoping they will unlearn bad habits and patterns.
Many of the singles have fairly antiquated values about dating that stem from a much more conventional and conservative approach and are a product of their generation’s belief system. Ury’s expertise helps them form realistic expectations about modern dating. This makes for riveting, and sometimes embarrassing, TV.
Meet the cast
Nate Brown, 56, provides the central Georgia connection. He is a three-time divorced father of two grown children and has been single for 12 years following his second divorce. He was honorably discharged from his career as a paratrooper after sustaining life-altering injuries during a jump and currently works in security in Atlanta.
Brown likes to hang out in his extremely tidy home, which he describes as “living a peaceful life” and enjoys a slower pace than some of his blind dates. Although Ury describes his lifestyle as “buttoned up,” his penchant for order can read as a little intense. He was looking for a curvy woman who isn’t super physically active since his injuries keep him from doing a lot of outdoor stuff.
Sadly, Brown didn’t find a love match during his stint on the show, but it seems he made some good friends. He and fellow castmate Susan have been seen attending a Falcons game together.
Anise, 62, is a dynamic and accomplished woman from Atlanta who wants to be courted and pursued by her dates.
Suzanne, 63, is a semi-retired optometrist with a lot of charm and a thick Southern accent. She is also an avid Georgia Bulldogs fan, which is among her criteria for her future dates.
Lori, 57, a celebrity media correspondent by night, embodying the persona, Rich Auntie Lori for the magazine ATL Plus, by day, she is a behavior coach for a local school district.
Greg, 61, is a construction business owner with high standards and father to two boys, one with Cerebral Palsy. He reads like your cool uncle at the family reunion.
Pam, 70, a former hippy and band enthusiast, lives in a remote area about an hour outside Atlanta. She is seeking a simple life after a former marriage to a member of the 70s rock band Humble Pie.
Not just another dating show
The show is sweet and relatable, despite the reputation many dating shows get. The challenges the daters face are fairly universal, and it’s fun watching them navigate unfamiliar situations like who should text first or when to have a first kiss is wholesome TV.
It’s refreshing to see a diverse cast that is not unilaterally a size 0, in their 20s, dressed in bikinis and crying over their champagne glass. Whether you enjoy reality TV or not, I promise you know someone just like at least one of the cast members and you’ll recognize the most beloved Southern archetypes the longer you watch.
How to Watch
All eight episodes of “Later Daters” debuted on Netflix on Nov. 29 and are available to stream now. It’s a far cry from the other big dating shows of the year like “Love Island“ or “Love is Blind.” It has heart and sincerity, and it would be a perfect, unassuming watch for you and your family during the holidays.
