In ‘Not Suitable for Work,’ Mindy Kaling couples rom-com antics with professional ambition

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It feels like just yesterday, but here’s a new generation arriving, making some of us realize how time flies and others feel understood.

Mindy Kaling’s new Hulu comedy, “Not Suitable for Work,” which premieres Tuesday, is a lighthearted and charming romantic comedy about people focused on their careers. Unlike shows like “Adults” and “I Love L.A.,” this series emphasizes professional drive. Set in New York City, it depicts a world where everyone is hustling to succeed, prioritizing getting their work noticed over nightlife.

The new show, like “Friends,” centers around a group of friends living in two apartments across the hall from each other. Josh (Jack Martin), Davis (Will Angus), and Kel (Nicholas Duvernay) share one apartment – Kel and Josh have been friends since childhood, and Josh and Davis were college roommates. In the apartment next door lives Abby (Avantika), who is soon joined by her college friend, AJ (Ella Hunt), after Abby’s boyfriend moves to Nashville to pursue a music career. While the apartment setup is reminiscent of “Friends,” the show is set in a less-common New York neighborhood: Murray Hill, near the United Nations. The area is known as a popular spot for recent college grads and young professionals. The show does venture downtown to the famous Katz’s Delicatessen twice, likely as a nod to its romantic comedy history – it’s where Meg Ryan had a memorable scene in “When Harry Met Sally…”

It’s no accident – when a writer is in control, can anything truly be random? – that many of the characters are starting new jobs. They’re all driven and determined, and this isn’t a place for those who don’t pull their weight! Abby is now assisting famous stylist Vanessa (Constance Wu). Kel, hoping to become an actor, gets a substitute teaching position at an exclusive girls’ school, thanks to Kate (Ego Nwodim), someone he had a casual relationship with in the past. (I particularly enjoy watching how Kel interacts with his students.)

I’m fascinated by this group of characters! There’s Davis, working in the high-stakes world of finance at this huge bank, and they’ve just brought in AJ. Their boss, Bill – everyone calls him ‘the Butcher,’ and honestly, the nickname fits – definitely keeps things moving. Then there’s Josh, who’s trying to become an investigative journalist, a real idealist you can tell by his PBS gear. He comes from money, though, and is completely helpless when it comes to practical stuff – though I heard he’s surprisingly good at squash! He tries to use his father’s connections to get a job with the news anchor Wes Dryden, someone he really looks up to, but it backfires. His coworkers immediately dislike him, giving him the nickname ‘Joffrey’ – a dig at him being a privileged newcomer – and even exclude him from their group chat. It’s a really compelling dynamic.

Davis is reeling from a recent breakup – his girlfriend felt overwhelmed by how intense he was, and she’s focused on her own dreams of becoming a barista. Meanwhile, Josh is facing a similar situation, but for the opposite reason – he feels like he’s not doing enough. This is a classic romantic comedy where everyone is searching for love, and no one quite has it figured out. Davis, for example, believes he has everything a woman could want: a good job, a fit body (though he admits his calves need work!), and a desire for a family. Ironically, he thinks this might be why women are scared off.

AJ quickly becomes a key figure in the story, largely because she’s the new person in town and attracts a lot of romantic attention. While she’s not completely without her own quirks – one character describes her as anxious, angry, and focused on fairness – she feels more grounded than some of the others. Plus, most of the major plot hints revolve around her. However, the show is truly an ensemble romantic comedy, similar to “Love Actually,” and it includes both Christmas and New Year’s Eve episodes to finish the first season. Unlike a movie, though, the season doesn’t offer a clear resolution, instead leaving things open-ended. This felt a bit forced to me, but it’s common for TV romances to do this, and hopefully we’ll get answers in a second season.

The show also features a fantastic supporting cast. Michael Benjamin Washington is hilarious as Antoine, the landlord, while Greg Germann plays Josh’s father. Laura Bell Bundy appears as AJ’s mother, a beautician visiting from Dorchester, and Judy Gold is brilliant as the influential Paula, who pulls the strings behind Wes Dryden. Harry Richardson plays charming actor Austin Blanchett – Cate’s made-up nephew – who’s starring as George Washington in a Sofia Coppola film being shot in Manhattan. (Austin explains the film’s unique angle: “Nobody’s ever done a Revolutionary War movie with a hot cast!”) He quickly becomes involved in Abby’s schemes. The show also includes quick appearances by Questlove, reality stars and podcasters Paige DeSorbo and Hannah Berner, Spanx founder Sara Blakely, and a playful reference to B.J. Novak, who often works with the show’s creator, Mindy Kaling, but doesn’t actually appear on screen.

While “Not Suitable” includes some kissing and brief sexual content, it handles intimacy with a refreshing modesty. Unlike many shows that constantly focus on sex, this series feels more realistic. There’s no nudity; instead, the show explores crushes and attractions in a way that feels like high school – often unrequited and sometimes unspoken. Relationships develop (or don’t) over the nine episodes, with characters learning from their mistakes and facing humbling experiences. The men, in particular, aren’t always the brightest. Ultimately, the show prioritizes love over career, but suggests that true friendship is the most valuable thing of all.

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2026-06-01 21:31