Hit comedy series A Man on the Inside gets a deserved second season

Comedy series and movies come in bundles every holiday season. Most of those bring some instant fun (or not), and only a few make an impact that lasts.

It seems though that the new series A Man on the Inside, created by television producer, writer, director, and actor Mike Schur with series stalwart Ted Danson has hit all the right spots with the viewers, as it hit Netflix’ most popular English TV list, remaining in the Top 10 for three weeks since its release. 

The series also got a ‘certified fresh’ mark from Rotten Tomatoes and, even more importantly, a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Charles, the series' main character. No wonder then that Netflix decided to, practically right after its release, extend the series for another season.

The excellent A Man on the Inside gets good news

Without going into any spoilers, A Man on the Inside focuses on Charles, an aging professor of mechanical engineering, a grieving widower, somewhat estranged from his daughter (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) and her family, and a man with a long-standing life routine.

Deciding to make a change, he decides to answer a random newspaper ad from a private detective, Didi (Stephanie Beatriz), to solve a strange theft within a posh San Francisco home for the elderly, where most of ‘the action’ happens.

While on paper (or electronic screen) this might sound like a recipe for boredom and disaster, this takes on a cozy mystery works a charm, with its breezy screenplay and light directing touch, leaving an excellent cast (including John Getz, Sally Struthers and Stephen McKinley Henderson, among others) to come up with an excellent subtly funny and gentle look at the process of aging.

Throughout, Danson shines as a former construction engineer and professor, enamored with details, but at the same time, a deeply emotional person who is able to connect with other people, particularly those close to his age. At the same time, both his and the other characters of a certain age are devoid of usual stereotypes as they might be portrayed in series and movies, giving the storyline an excellent, easy-flowing line.

Schur actually based the series on the Chilean Oscar-nominated documentary The Mole Agent, which has a similar storyline; initially wanted to do a feature film but decided to turn it into a series with Danson at the suggestion of his co-producer Morgan Sackett. What resulted is a winning ticket and a hit series which will get a deserved extension.

More Netflix news and reviews: