Sirens took viewers on a wild ride — but how did the hit Netflix series actually end?
Based on Molly Smith Metzler’s play Elemeno Pea, Sirens followed Devon (Meghann Fahy), who reunited with her younger sister, Simone (Milly Alcock), over the course of a Labor Day weekend. Devon’s reunion with her estranged sibling took a turn when Devon questioned Simone’s bond with boss Michaela Kell (Julianne Moore), who is married to billionaire Peter Kell (Kevin Bacon).
The events in season 1, which premiered on Thursday, May 22, largely focused on Devon trying to rescue Simone from Michaela, who was giving major cult vibes. Simone, however, was not interested in moving back home to take care of their father, Bruce (Bill Camp).
During the finale, Simone’s secret romance with Ethan (Glenn Howerton) unraveled after he fell off the bluff on Michaela and Peter’s property. Ethan accused Simone of being the person who pushed him after she turned down his proposal. There was also the issue of Michaela asking Simone to follow Peter to find out whether he was having an affair.
Simone, however, was the one who kissed Peter after spending the afternoon with him. A photographer caught the infidelity on tape, which is how Michaela got clued in and subsequently ordered Simone to leave the island for good.
Despite initially accepting her fate, Simone changed her mind when her dad told her it would be only the two of them returning to upstate New York. Simone clued Peter into the incriminating photo, which he had destroyed by property manager Jose (Felix Solis). Peter ended his marriage to Michaela — as Simone watched — which led to Michaela leaving the island with Devon as Simone took her place as head of the household.
Devon, for her part, chose to go on a boat trip with Jordan (Trevor Salter). Once Devon saw Simone at the gala, she made the decision to let her sister go and leave with Bruce. On the ferry ride home, Devon and Michaela come to an understanding as both of their futures are left open ended.
Alcock, 25, and Fahy, 35, weighed in on the divisive ending — and why they thought it was a good way to wrap up the story.
“Ultimately, we want Simone to be the person that the audience ends up seeing her as, which is this broken little girl who’s so much more capable than she believes herself to be,” Alcock told The Hollywood Reporter. “The fact that she chooses the path she’s chosen reinforces that stigma and narrative where she needs a man in financial stability to provide for her. It made me incredibly sad finding out that was the ending.”
Fahy, meanwhile, shared her perspective, adding, “I was definitely surprised. But the more I thought about it, the more I felt like it was true that Simone would double down, do whatever it took to not have to go back to that place and that Devon would go back and not go with the guy, or anything. I think it hurts on some level to see both of them make the choices they make, because you want so much better for them. But it felt right. It felt true they would make those choices.”
Sirens is currently streaming on Netflix.
