Overcompensating: Amazon's Bold New Gay College Comedy from Benito Skinner

Prideloop
3 days ago
2 min read

Amazon Prime Video's latest comedy series Overcompensating, created by and starring Benito Skinner, premiered on May 15, 2025. This eight-episode series offers a fresh, heartfelt, and hilariously chaotic exploration of queer identity, college life, and the performative masks we wear to fit in.

Overcompensating is on Prime Video Now! Video from @PrimeVideo YouTube Channel

A Semi-Autobiographical Coming-of-Age Tale

Overcompensating centers on Benny (Skinner), a closeted former high school football star and valedictorian from Idaho, who begins his freshman year at the fictional Yates University. Struggling with his sexuality, Benny adopts hypermasculine behaviors to blend in with his peers, especially emulating Peter, his sister Grace's jock boyfriend. On his first day, he befriends Carmen (Wally Baram), a fellow freshman and high school outsider from New Jersey. Together, they navigate the trials of college life, including new relationships, secret societies, and self-discovery.

The series draws heavily from Skinner's own experiences growing up closeted in Boise, Idaho. Writing the show proved cathartic for Skinner, allowing him to explore themes of performative masculinity, self-discovery, and the vulnerabilities of growing up afraid to be true to himself.

A Diverse and Dynamic Cast

Alongside Skinner and Baram, the main cast includes Mary Beth Barone as Grace, Benny's sister; Adam DiMarco as Peter, Grace's boyfriend; and Rish Shah as Miles. The series also features recurring roles by Holmes, Corteon Moore, Owen Thiele, and Nell Verlaque. Guest stars include Connie Britton and Kyle MacLachlan as Benny's parents, Kaia Gerber, Julia Shiplett, Tommy Do, Alexandra Beaton, Claire Qute, Elias Azimi, Maddie Phillips, and Andrea Martin.

Notably, pop star Charli XCX serves as both executive music producer and guest star, adding her unique flair to the series' soundtrack and appearing in a memorable cameo.

**Actor Benito Skinner - Image from artist Official Instagram Page @bennydrama7**

A New Chapter for Benito Skinner

Known for his viral internet persona "Benny Drama," Skinner's transition to television marks a significant evolution in his career. With Overcompensating, he not only showcases his comedic and dramatic talents but also provides a voice for underrepresented queer experiences on mainstream platforms.

The series is produced by A24 and Amazon MGM Studios, with executive producers including Jonah Hill, Matt Dines, Ali Goodwin, and Scott King, who also serves as showrunner.