Nicole Stawiarski
Nicole Stawiarski is a freelance writer who has authored hundreds of articles for digital publications, ranging from TV and film reviews to horoscopes and personal essays. Whether she’s analyzing plotlines or personalities, she takes a layered, nuanced approach to the human experience to forge meaningful connections with readers.
Core Roles
- Nicole is a freelance writer for The Thought & Expression Company, Inc. and has been contributing here since 2017.
- Prior to her work with Thought Catalog, Nicole spent over a decade in digital advertising, working closely with streaming platforms and theatrical studios to grow ad sales and inform branded campaigns.
Experience
- Nicole is bilingual in English and Spanish, and has studied French, Italian, Portuguese, and Hindi. Her love of Mexican telenovelas inspired her to pursue a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, as well as the start of her career in media and advertising at Telemundo Chicago.
- Nicole is an expert on Bollywood and Hindi cinema, an avid fan of Korean dramas, and all TV and film with subtitles. She is passionate about the ways cultural currency has become more accessible in the digital age, and the remarkable ability art has to connect people on opposite sides of the globe.
Articles by
Nicole Stawiarski
Paapa Essiedu’s Casting As Snape Sparks Nuanced Questions About Representation
The Harry Potter fandom is voicing concerns over the announcement that British actor Paapa Essiedu has been cast in the role of Hogwarts’ most feared potions professor, Severus Snape.
‘Weak Hero Class 2’ Drops On Netflix April 25—Catch Up On Season 1 Now
Weak Hero Class 1 is on Netflix today ahead of its Season 2 release on April 25.
‘Lovely Runner’ Puts A Korean Spin On ‘The Butterfly Effect’ With A Way Better Ending
Lovely Runner combines time travel with the alternate realities of The Butterfly Effect and the unsettling suspense of watching a true crime documentary where you already know what’s going to happen to the victim.
Sophie And Camila’s Relationship Is The Heart Of Netflix’s ‘Pulse’
Netflix’s first English language medical drama packs a punch with a constant barrage of hard-hitting conflict and suspense that often veers into outlandish territory, but it’s most subtle and realistic storyline flies so low under the radar you might miss…
5 Classic Val Kilmer Films To Stream In Celebration Of His Life And Career
To commemorate the recent passing of the charismatic and iconic Val Kilmer, we’re looking back on some of his most memorable film roles from cowboy to rockstar, super-hero, fighter pilot and beyond.
‘Family By Choice’ Is The Feel-Good Series That Could Heal Your Inner Child
Family By Choice draws you in with all the playful, feel-good elements of favorites like The Parent Trap, Full House, and Clueless and then blindsides you with a freight train of emotional complexity, depth, and self-awareness that makes you feel…
Roles Like Cordelia Cupp Are Long Overdue—But We’re So Glad She’s Here
We’ve seen Sherlock Holmes played by a zillion different white men, many British, most just faking the accent, to the extent that he’s evolved from a fictional character into a full blown archetype.
Casting The Role Of Severus Snape Raises Complicated Questions About Representation
The Harry Potter fandom is voicing concerns over the announcement that British actor Paapa Essiedu has been cast in the role of Hogwarts’ most feared potions professor, Severus Snape.
Michelle Williams And Jenny Slate Star In Hulu’s ‘Dying For Sex,’ A Bold Drama Based On A Hit Podcast
FX and Hulu’s latest drama, Dying For Sex, is based on the acclaimed Wonderly podcast of the same name, created by Nikki Boyer and Molly Kochan, which centers around Molly’s diagnosis with Stage IV breast cancer, her decision to leave…
Netflix’s ‘Pulse’ Has The Best Slow-Burn Romance You Probably Missed
Netflix’s first English language medical drama packs a punch with a constant barrage of hard-hitting conflict and suspense that often veers into outlandish territory, but it’s most subtle and realistic storyline flies so low under the radar you might miss…
After ‘Snow White’ Snafus, Is The ‘Lilo & Stitch’ Remake Disney’s Next Casting Controversy?
Disney’s latest live action remake of Snow White faced a slew of negative PR Long before it ever hit theaters, the film most notably received backlash from the dwarfism community, where actors like Peter Dinklage felt the film reinforced “backwards”…
4 Shows For Fans Of ‘The Residence’ (2025)
Netflix’s latest murder mystery, The Residence, is set in a White House filled with 132 rooms and 157 suspects, starring Emmy Award winner Uzo Aduba as the lead detective.
‘Reborn Rich’ Puts A Korean Reincarnation Twist On A ‘Succession’-Style Power Story
Trying to put this plot into words will make me sound crazy, at best, but trust me when I say Reborn Rich is one of the best pieces of television I have ever seen.
‘Lovely Runner’ Is The Best Korean Drama Ever Made
Lovely Runner combines time travel with the alternate realities of The Butterfly Effect and the unsettling suspense of watching a true crime documentary where you already know what’s going to happen to the victim.
‘Family By Choice’ Is The Feel-Good Series That Is Like Therapy For Your Soul
Family By Choice draws you in with all the playful, feel-good elements of favorites like The Parent Trap, Full House, and Clueless and then blindsides you with a freight train of emotional complexity, depth, and self-awareness that makes you feel…
Netflix’s New Dating Show ‘Pop The Balloon LIVE’ Is Premiering Tonight (4/10)
The streaming giant successfully broke into the dating show category, long dominated by decades-old franchises like The Bachelor, with original titles including Love Is Blind, Too Hot To Handle, Love On The Spectrum, and more.
From ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham’ To ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,’ We Ranked Every Karan Johar Movie—Prepare to Be Mad
Director, writer, and producer Karan Johar’s body of work plays a foundational role in the Bollywood canon. He brings over the top opulence, star-studded casts, unforgettable musical numbers, breathtaking destinations, and palpable chemistry to each of his projects.
Netflix’s ‘The Life List’ Is For Anyone Looking For The Courage To Start Over
If you’ve ever lost a parent, lost a job, or simply lost your way in life and realized it somewhere along your thirties, Netflix’s newest rom-com, The Life List, is guaranteed to speak to the very depths of your soul.…
