Harnessing the star power of Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham in a gripping, action-packed story created by Tessa Coates, Ride or die (now on Prime Video) combines the world of international assassins with the emotional depth of true friendship in one of the most gripping action comedies ever. Throughout the eight-episode series, we see what happens when men fire a “woman of a certain age,” also called a “WOACA.”
Spencer’s character, Debbie, is the wife of politician David Claiborne (Jamie Parker). The American fell in love, moved to England, raised two children and is now the real brains behind the strategy to make David the next Prime Minister. Although Debbie’s closest connection is with Judith (Waddingham), she discovers that everything she thought she knew about her best friend was wrong.
Judith is an international assassin called Whiptail, and after decades of working the job, her job comes into question because her boss told her she’s been “getting up” since she turned 50. Whiptail is given another job, but is warned that this is her last chance to show she can work by the rules.
When Whiptail goes to a charity gala to complete her work, Debbie is there with her husband, but is distraught because David told her he wants a divorce, in the car on the way to the gala. And when Whiplash finds David among the people killed at the event with a card left for her, she must ensure Debbie’s safety, even as Debbie feels she can no longer trust her friend.
“Don’t take my girl”
Both comedy and action Ride or die electric. And without taking your foot off the gas in both of those categories, what’s incredibly interesting and exciting about Waddingham’s character is that she’s a skilled and capable killer, but what can really get her through are words. The things people say to and about her, from her boss to Debbie, hurt deeply.
“That’s what attracted me more than anything else,” Waddingham said. Yahoo Canada. “Certainly Tessa Coates’ opening speech and having Octavia on that Zoom saying, ‘Come and play, do all these things… be a sniper and jump off things and hit people and everything else… was incredibly intoxicating. But what intoxicated me the most was this broken bird who… is so capable, but in reality, when you scratch the surface not far, she is incapable of actually letting anyone love her.”
Hannah Waddingham in Ride or Die (Courtesy of Dusan Martincek/Prime)
And at the center of this character study is the love she feels for Debbie, shown multiple times throughout the series, including one particularly emotional moment when Whiptail rides up on a motorcycle to a kidnapped Debbie, hugs her tightly and says, “I’ve got you.”
“It was improv,” Waddingham said. She can hit anyone. She can grab the keys to any car or even plug it into an electrical outlet. But don’t take my girl. Don’t take my girl, just come back to me and I will keep you safe. Even if you don’t think I will protect you, I will keep you safe.”
Octavia Spencer in Ride or Die (Courtesy of Dusan Martincek/Prime)
But Ride or die this isn’t a show, it’s just a one-sided exploration of how Whiplashtail keeps Debbie safe. After being devastated by the death of her husband and her best friend’s secret life as a killer, there comes a moment when Debbie looks at herself in the mirror wearing a leather jacket, an item of clothing that is not usually in her wardrobe. You can see that feeling of transformation within, perhaps not in ideal circumstances and still with a lot of fear, but Spencer’s look as Debbie shows some self-confidence and an interest in the unknown.
“Debbie realizes that her life as she knows it is very different,” Spencer said. “Who she thought she was was completely different, and maybe it was scary, maybe it was exciting, maybe it was sexy, but it was something new.”
“And I think playing excitement and fear at the same time, I have no idea where it’s going, but I know I’m going to have to go on this journey… it’s also a testament to Tessa’s creativity. She really wrote these very rich characters and strength in these moments.”
Octavia Spencer and Hannah Waddingham attend the Prime Video premiere of “Ride or Die” held at The New York Historical on July 13, 2026 in New York, NY. (Photo by Siegfried Anthony/Variety via Getty Images)
Always be honest
Staying true to the dynamic of this friendship, there is a huge honesty between the two main characters that feels so real, even in the darkest of times, making their relationship even more enjoyable to watch.
“There was rarely a time when it wasn’t already on the page, but sometimes we had to make sure we didn’t get saccharine, and that for the show to live in the space we’re trying to create, there had to be some honesty. There had to be something that grounded everything, and it was this friendship,” Spencer said.
“And you need friends in your life who will be completely honest with you, no matter what. So I’m glad this show really showcases that. Even if you don’t want to hear it at the moment, they’re saying it, someone you trust enough to go home and digest.”
While there is a history of women serving as supporting characters in action films, mostly relegated to rather one-dimensional roles, Ride or die does the opposite and is the action-comedy you wish every movie or show in the genre could be. A fully charged, powerful, addictive and insanely fun game with characters you will simply adore.