Well, this is a real ‘bummer’ for fans of comedic workplace drama. Hulu recently dropped the hammer on Mindy Kaling’s series, ‘Not Suitable for Work’, opting not to renew it for a second season. The news, which hit the airwaves on a Monday, has stirred up a mix of disappointment and gratitude across social media, with Kaling herself and the cast members taking to their platforms to share some heartfelt goodbyes. It’s a classic Hollywood moment, where a show that ‘highkey’ connected with its audience sometimes just doesn’t make the cut.
The series, known as ‘Not Suitable for Work’, premiered back in June and graced our screens with nine episodes, bringing to life the chaotic lives of five work-obsessed 20-somethings navigating the concrete jungle of Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood. Following the escapades of AJ, Abby, Davis, Josh, and Kel, the show charted their personal and professional journeys as they tried to figure out the whole ‘adulting’ thing. Many viewers, myself included, couldn’t help but compare it to the ‘Friends’ vibe, especially with those intriguing ‘will-they-won’t-they’ relationships between AJ, Davis, and Josh, not to mention the undeniable spark between Abby and Kel. Talk about drama!
For Mindy Kaling, a well-known creator in the entertainment biz, ‘Not Suitable for Work’ marked a significant return, as it was her first sole creator credit since ‘The Mindy Project’. As the article states, Kaling has also been behind other hit shows like ‘Never Have I Ever’ and ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’, showcasing her knack for crafting relatable and engaging narratives. Her involvement with ‘Not Suitable for Work’ under her Kaling International banner, alongside showrunner Charlie Grandy and 3 Arts Entertainment’s Howard Klein, promised a fresh take on the millennial and Gen Z experience in the modern workplace.
The cast, ‘for real’, seemed to love every minute of it. Jack Martin, who played Josh, shared on social media that he’d ‘always love’ the show and everyone involved. Avantika Vandanapu, who portrayed Abby, echoed this sentiment, calling the show an ‘opportunity of a lifetime’ that introduced her to incredible people and audiences. Ella Hunt, playing AJ, was reportedly thrilled to be part of the ‘Mindy-verse’. Nicholas Duvernay, who also appeared in ‘The White Lotus’, embraced the ‘Friends’ comparison, noting that while it’s a ‘giant to compare it to’, the show offered a fresh, modern take on young people finding their way in New York, steering clear of some of the more overtly Gen Z-angled comedies out there.
Interestingly, the show’s critical reception offered a bit of a contrasting perspective. As reported by ‘The Hollywood Reporter”s TV critic Angie Han, while ‘Not Suitable for Work’ was set in present-day New York and featured a young cast, its vision of love and career often felt rooted in the 2000s, or even the 1990s. Han described the show as ‘oddly Millennial’ for one supposedly targeting Gen Z, suggesting it leaned into a comfort-watch escapism rather than a cutting-edge portrayal of today’s youth. This observation ‘hits different’ when you consider the push for authentic representation in current media.
Despite the cancellation, there’s still a glimmer of hope for fans. According to the report, Warner Bros. Television, which produced the series, isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. The production company reportedly plans to shop ‘Not Suitable for Work’ around to other networks and streaming platforms, hoping to find a new home where the show can continue its story. So, while Hulu’s decision is definitely a blow, who knows? This could just be a temporary pause for a show that many ‘lowkey’ adored. We’ll have to wait and see if another platform decides to give these work-obsessed 20-somethings a second chance.
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Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
