Shazad Latif Makes Waves in AMC's Sultry 'Nautilus' Reboot

Olivia Bennett, 6/30/2025Darlings, AMC's "Nautilus" serves up a deliciously diverse reimagining of Jules Verne's classic, with the smoldering Shazad Latif steering this steampunk spectacle through both choppy narrative waters and gorgeous production design. Think "Pirates of the Caribbean" meets social consciousness, with a dash of brass-fitted glamour!

Let's talk about Shazad Latif, shall we? In an era where streaming services seem determined to cast the same five actors in everything (you know who they are), Latif brings such smoldering intensity to Captain Nemo that he might single-handedly steam up your viewing screen. Gone is the traditional megalomaniac of versions past – sorry, James Mason – replaced instead by a deposed Indian prince with legitimate grievances against the British East India Mercantile Company. And honey, his revenge dress moments put Princess Di's to shame.

The show pairs him with Georgia Flood's Humility Lucas, a character whose name feels like it was pulled from a rejected Jane Austen manuscript but whose engineering prowess would make Tony Stark nervous. Their chemistry? Electric enough to power that gorgeous submarine through the darkest depths.

Speaking of that submarine – oh. my. word. The production design team deserves whatever awards they're giving out in 2025, because they've created a steampunk fantasy that somehow manages to feel both period-appropriate and utterly fresh. Though between us, there's a suspicious lack of fish for a show set underwater. (Budget constraints? In this economy? Shocking.)

"Nautilus" takes more than a few creative liberties with Verne's source material, but in an age where "Little Women" can end up in space, who's counting? The show's diverse crew transforms the submarine into a floating United Nations of colonial resistance, though occasionally the messaging gets a bit heavy-handed – like being hit with a socially conscious anchor.

The pacing occasionally meanders like a jellyfish caught in competing currents. Some episodes drift along so leisurely you'd think they were being paid by the minute. But just when you're reaching for your phone, the show throws a giant squid or underwater volcano your way. Because apparently, that's what passes for subtle these days.

There are moments when storylines disappear faster than the Titanic's wireless signals, leaving viewers with what might charitably be called "narrative opportunities" rather than actual conclusions. But in the streaming era, when shows get canceled faster than celebrity marriages, perhaps that's just prudent planning.

Yet despite these quirks – or perhaps because of them – "Nautilus" works. It's messy and ambitious and occasionally ridiculous, but isn't that precisely what we're craving in our increasingly algorithmic entertainment landscape? In a world of carefully focus-grouped content, there's something refreshing about a show that's willing to take genuine risks, even if they don't all pay off.

The verdict? "Nautilus" might not be the smoothest sailing ship in AMC's fleet, but it's certainly one of the most interesting. Pack your diving gear and prepare for a journey that's equal parts profound and preposterous – and really, darlings, isn't that exactly what Sunday night television should be?

Well, darlings, AMC's "Nautilus" has finally surfaced from its tumultuous development depths, and what an intriguing creature it turns out to be. After that peculiar Disney+ abandonment (still scratching our heads about that one), this reimagining of Jules Verne's classic tale emerges as something rather unexpected – think "Bridgerton" meets "Das Boot," with a dash of anti-colonial fire thrown in for good measure.Let's talk about Shazad Latif, shall we? In an era where streaming services seem determined to cast the same five actors in everything (you know who they are), Latif brings such smoldering intensity to Captain Nemo that he might single-handedly steam up your viewing screen. Gone is the traditional megalomaniac of versions past – sorry, James Mason – replaced instead by a deposed Indian prince with legitimate grievances against the British East India Mercantile Company. And honey, his revenge dress moments put Princess Di's to shame.The show pairs him with Georgia Flood's Humility Lucas, a character whose name feels like it was pulled from a rejected Jane Austen manuscript but whose engineering prowess would make Tony Stark nervous. Their chemistry? Electric enough to power that gorgeous submarine through the darkest depths.Speaking of that submarine – oh. my. word. The production design team deserves whatever awards they're giving out in 2025, because they've created a steampunk fantasy that somehow manages to feel both period-appropriate and utterly fresh. Though between us, there's a suspicious lack of fish for a show set underwater. (Budget constraints? In this economy? Shocking.)"Nautilus" takes more than a few creative liberties with Verne's source material, but in an age where "Little Women" can end up in space, who's counting? The show's diverse crew transforms the submarine into a floating United Nations of colonial resistance, though occasionally the messaging gets a bit heavy-handed – like being hit with a socially conscious anchor.The pacing occasionally meanders like a jellyfish caught in competing currents. Some episodes drift along so leisurely you'd think they were being paid by the minute. But just when you're reaching for your phone, the show throws a giant squid or underwater volcano your way. Because apparently, that's what passes for subtle these days.There are moments when storylines disappear faster than the Titanic's wireless signals, leaving viewers with what might charitably be called "narrative opportunities" rather than actual conclusions. But in the streaming era, when shows get canceled faster than celebrity marriages, perhaps that's just prudent planning.Yet despite these quirks – or perhaps because of them – "Nautilus" works. It's messy and ambitious and occasionally ridiculous, but isn't that precisely what we're craving in our increasingly algorithmic entertainment landscape? In a world of carefully focus-grouped content, there's something refreshing about a show that's willing to take genuine risks, even if they don't all pay off.The verdict? "Nautilus" might not be the smoothest sailing ship in AMC's fleet, but it's certainly one of the most interesting. Pack your diving gear and prepare for a journey that's equal parts profound and preposterous – and really, darlings, isn't that exactly what Sunday night television should be?