Later Daters (Netflix)

My thoughts and a review

I’m not a fan of reality TV. To my eyes, all the shows look the same. People do something that appears authentic but is most likely staged and rehearsed in advance. Then they explain to the camera why they did what they did and what emotions they felt, and so on. After that, some expert tells the camera what they should have done and advise on the future. Everyone is made-up, groomed, and impeccably dressed.

Quick cuts follow one another, and nothing ever goes deeper than the surface. The result is mind-numbingly dull like some kind of paste squeezed out of a tube.

So, I wasn’t too excited when I noticed that Netflix has a new reality series, Later Daters. But then I heard that Michelle Obama produced the show, and I got intrigued. I decided to investigate further.

Michelle says that:

I believe that all of us deserve love and a chance to find happiness no matter how old we are. No one has missed the boat — it just has not shown up.

So, since Michelle, whom I have a major girl crush on, had put her stamp of approval on this project, I decided to give it a chance and watch it. Also, my country has sunken into a black hole for the entire month of November and I needed something to cheer me up in my sunless desperation.

And so I binged the entire show.

Although Later Daters doesn’t reinvent the well-worn concept of reality TV, it does provoke thought and challenges attitudes about ageing and romance. One of its most intriguing aspects is the involvement of the daters’ adult children. Finding a partner later in life, when your kids are grown, adds a unique layer of complexity. If they don’t accept your new love, life can become fraught, and holiday dinners may turn into nightmares.

Despite its conventional reality TV format, Later Daters left an impression on me.

Here are the key lessons I’ve learned:

1. You Don’t Have to Hide Your Body After 50

For years, I avoided short sleeves and skirts after turning 50. I hated how my (flabby) arms and (wrinkled) knees looked and believed I couldn’t be attractive, especially to men my age (who, let’s face it, often favor younger women). But Later Daters proved me wrong: it’s your spirit that makes you beautiful—both in your own eyes and in the eyes of others.

There’s no rulebook dictating how someone of a certain age should dress—or behave, for that matter. True, I was a bit shocked to see the figure-hugging leather dresses and super short skirts and over-knee boots but that´s my problem, right? The women on the show seemed to enjoy showing off what they have—and who could blame them?

Living in a northern climate does limit your outfit options. For nine months of the year, opportunities to show skin are few and far between—but they aren’t nonexistent. There’s always the indoors. If I ever go on a date again, maybe I will dare to wear a dress with a hint of décolleté or even show some forearm because why not?

2. It’s Okay to Make an Effort to Look Nice

A few years ago, I asked a male friend for advice on enhancing my dating prospects. He scanned me from head to toe and, after a long, awkward pause, he said: “Maybe try wearing makeup, perfume, and feminine clothes.”

I was floored.

But I don’t want to attract a shallow man who only cares about looks! I argued. I want someone who values intelligence.

All men are visual, he replied. Even the smartest ones. We can’t help it.

I should have listened. My usual uniform of jeans, T-shirts, and leather jackets—and my bare face—hasn’t done me any favors in the dating world. Most men I meet seem intimidated or put off by me.

Thanks to Later Daters, I’m now considering booking a makeup tutorial and consulting a stylist to spice up my wardrobe. A total makeover sounds thrilling—though let’s be real, I probably won’t do it and will stay single forever. But it is an exciting idea to ponder!

3. Sexy Men Over 50 Exist!

A widowed friend of mine, now 63, insists on dating younger men. She claims men her age are depressing and unattractive. Later Daters proves her wrong. Every man in the cast was appealing in his way, but my personal favorites were Jeff and Greg. They’re proof that men in their 50s and 60s can be both charming and desirable.

Sure, they’re probably inundated with offers from other women, but a girl can daydream, right?

4. Retirement Is Optional

The Later Daters cast is full of dynamic, active individuals—none of whom are content to fade quietly into retirement. They’re engaged in society, and not just through hobbies like golf or gardening. This was refreshing to see and challenged the traditional narrative of what life after a certain age should look like.

The message is clear: There are no age-related rules. Life after 50—or 60, or 70—can still be meaningful, productive, and fun. The rest of life can be the best of life, at least for the affluent and well-off folks, such as the Later Daters. Reality TV isn't watched because it's realistic but because it gives us the chance to peek into the lives of other people—preferably those who are wealthier, flashier and more interesting than us.

5. Life Should Be Fun

The greatest lesson I learned from Later Daters? Life is meant to be enjoyed. Fun is not a luxury; it’s essential.

For too long, my life has been buried under obligations, duties, and expectations. Even dating feels like a chore—something to endure rather than savour. No wonder my dates have been duds.

Later Daters reminded me to see dating as an opportunity: to meet new people, hear fascinating stories, and sip cocktails in outfits that make me feel fabulous. Dating isn’t just a means to an end—it can be exciting in itself. It can be adventurous and fun.

Final Thoughts

Later Daters is worth a watch, especially if you’re feeling a bit down or stuck in a rut and feeling too old for just about anything. While it doesn’t break new ground as a reality TV show, it offers relevant and even delightful content. I’d give it 3 out of 5 stars—not higher because its format lacks originality, but it’s entertaining and inspiring in its own right.