Beef 2: A Character Family Portrait

The Beef season two premiere was yesterday and this shot of the cast and crew is sending me…

Seoyeong Jang is wearing red too but since she’s positioned behind Oscar Isaac, you can’t really see, so it’s really Oscar and Carey Mulligan who are popping in the photo, in their couples outfit, while everyone else is in muted business shades. And when you watch the show, you’ll appreciate that that fits with their characters and the story.

Beef S2 features an entirely different cast from the first season, with a new argument that triggers a series of events and consequences. The argument is between Oscar and Carey’s characters, a married couple who manage a country club. The argument is witnessed by two staff members who are also a couple, and younger, played by Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny. So the beef is a generational and class divide, taking place in a setting populated by privileged assholes.

I screened the first two episodes last weekend and the tension that made season one so good is definitely there – it is uncomfortable, cutting, and cruel… but it’s also savagely funny in subtle ways. We can talk about it some more after the season drops on Netflix next week though for now, pay attention in particular to what Carey is wearing when she’s about to meet Youn Yuh-jung in the first episode, and what happens afterwards. Especially considering that Carey was just made a CBE (Commander of the British Empire) last week.

Not sure how the rest of the season will unfold since I’ve only watched two episodes but already I can tell you that showrunner Lee Sung-jin (Sunny) is showing some teeth with the story he’s telling about social climbing and capitalism, pretention and identity. He has said that he was inspired by his experience in Korea after encounters with chaebols (family-run conglomerates) and this will be reflected in particular as we get to know Charles’s character, Austin, who like the actor is biracial. The season finale was reportedly filmed in part in Korea and also stars two legends from Korea: Youn Yuh-jung and Song Kang-ho.

Before the premiere last night, it was announced that Sunny’s deal with Netflix has been renewed. It’s a multi-year partnership that will include more scripted series and a feature film. So more Beef could be coming.

Back to the red carpet and the fashion – Carey is wearing Dries Van Noten, I love this blurred pixelated skirt. And what makes this extra notable is that she isn’t often in colour. Also… there’s been a stylist change. Carey was working with Andrew Mukamal, who styled her during award season a couple of years ago when she was nominated for Maestro, alongside his other client Margot Robbie. Andrew is still styling Margot but Carey is now being styled by Danielle Goldberg, who works with Ayo Edebiri and Greta Lee.

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The Hollywood Reporter just released their 2026 Power Stylists List yesterday and I wish they would include more details – tea, really – on when and why celebrities change stylists.