A Man on the Inside

Last updated

A Man on the Inside
A Man on the Inside Title Card.png
Genre Comedy
Created by Michael Schur
Based on The Mole Agent by Maite Alberdi
Starring
Music by David Schwartz
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Nate Young
  • Ted Danson
  • Sylvia Batey Alcalá
  • Frank Sackett
CinematographyDavid J. Miller
Editors
  • Sue Federman
  • Jason Gill
Running time27–34 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Netflix
ReleaseNovember 21, 2024 (2024-11-21) –
present (present)

A Man on the Inside is an American comedy television series created by Michael Schur and starring Ted Danson as a retiree-turned-amateur private investigator. It is based on Maite Alberdi's 2020 documentary The Mole Agent . [1]

Contents

The series premiered on November 21, 2024, to critical acclaim. [2] [3] [4] It was renewed for a second season in December of that year, set to release in 2025. [5]

Cast

Main

Recurring

In addition, Deuce Basco co-stars as Jace Nieuwendyk-Piñero, [7] Lincoln Lambert co-stars as Nico Nieuwendyk-Piñero, [7] and Wyatt Yang co-stars as Wyatt Nieuwendyk-Piñero. [7]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Tinker Tailor Older Spy" Michael Schur Michael SchurNovember 21, 2024 (2024-11-21)
Charles Nieuwendyk, a widowed and retired engineering professor is lonely and in a monotonous routine following his wife's passing. His daughter, Emily, concerned about his isolation, encourages him to find a new pursuit to revitalise his life. Charles stumbles upon a newspaper advertisement seeking an elderly individual for an undercover role in a private investigation. Intrigued, he responds and meets Julie Kovalenko, a private investigator aiming to solve a theft at the Pacific View Retirement Community. Julie hires Charles to infiltrate the community as a resident and act as her "man on the inside." Despite initial reservations, particularly due to memories of his late wife's battle with Alzheimer's, Charles accepts the assignment. He moves into Pacific View, where he encounters a diverse group of residents and staff, including the affable yet enigmatic Virginia Foldau and the diligent managing director, Didi. As Charles embarks on his covert mission, he begins to navigate the complexities of his new environment, setting the stage for personal growth and unexpected connections.
2"The Man Who Knew Too Much About Bridges" Morgan Sackett Sylvia Batey AlcaláNovember 21, 2024 (2024-11-21)
Charles continues his undercover mission at Pacific View Retirement Community. He attends a lively happy hour, charming fellow residents like Virginia and Florence, and steps in as bartender, enhancing his popularity. However, his investigation faces challenges: a misstep with the wrong Helen leads to an awkward encounter, and a mysterious note warning him to “back off” raises concerns about his cover. Charles suspects Elliott, a cigar-smoking resident, and confronts him, only to discover Elliott’s jealousy over Virginia prompted the note. This revelation shifts Charles’s focus to the staff’s unrestricted access to residents’ rooms, suggesting a potential avenue for the thefts. The episode concludes with the theft of Elliott’s antique watch, adding complexity to Charles’s investigation and deepening the mystery within the community.
3"The Emily Always Rings Twice"Rebecca AsherHayley Frazier & Emalee BurdittNovember 21, 2024 (2024-11-21)
Charles's covert assignment at Pacific View Retirement Community faces complications with the unexpected arrival of his daughter, Emily. Concerned about her father's well-being, Emily's visit forces Charles to juggle his undercover investigation with maintaining his familial relationships. Simultaneously, another resident reports a missing item, intensifying suspicions within the community. Elliott, a fellow resident already wary of Charles, directs his frustrations towards him, and punches him in the nose. Charles must navigate these challenges, striving to uphold his cover while addressing Emily's concerns and managing Elliott's distrust.
4"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Painting Class"Rebecca AsherBridget StinsonNovember 21, 2024 (2024-11-21)
Charles participates in various group activities at Pacific View, such as painting classes and book clubs, to observe residents and identify potential suspects. His growing camaraderie with fellow residents raises concerns for Julie, who worries that his personal connections might compromise the investigation. Despite her reservations, Charles believes that building trust is essential to uncovering the truth.
5"Presents and Clear Danger" Anu Valia Janet Leahy & Alex FarberNovember 21, 2024 (2024-11-21)
Julie introduces an expensive gift as bait to lure the thief, while Charles focuses on connecting with Gladys, a resident showing signs of memory loss. Virginia encourages Florence to indulge in a long-desired purchase, adding to the community's dynamics. Charles's interactions with Gladys provide unexpected insights, leading him to reconsider his investigative approach.
6"Our Man in Sacramento" Anu Valia Karen Chee November 21, 2024 (2024-11-21)
The sudden passing of Florence sends shockwaves through Pacific View, prompting Charles to reflect on mortality and his late wife. He embarks on an emotional journey with his daughter, Emily, strengthening their bond. Meanwhile, Didi contemplates an intriguing corporate offer, weighing her commitment to the community against new opportunities and much better pay.
7"From Russian Hill with Love"Morgan Sackett Lisa Muse Bryant November 21, 2024 (2024-11-21)
Charles and Calbert explore many of San Francisco's historic sites, discussing their pasts and futures, which deepens their friendship. Didi and Julie clash after Didi starts to figure out that Charles and Julie were not being truthful to her. On the ride back to Pacific View with Calbert, Charles figures out who stole the necklace.
8"The Spy Who Came in from the Cold"Michael SchurDan SchofieldNovember 21, 2024 (2024-11-21)
Charles and Didi approach Gladys in the Memory Care unit. Gladys has been taking the missing items, thinking they must be her own. When the residents hear why Charles was there, they are hurt and angry, especially Calbert. Emily assists Charles in confronting unresolved issues from his past, facilitating personal growth. Didi resigns her position after feeling guilty that she didn't recognize what Julie and Charles were doing there. However, Julie and Charles meet her at the coffee shop, and convince her to reconsider and stay. Charles goes back to Pacific View to help celebrate Virginia and Elliott's marriage, and all appears to be forgiven. Julie is given a mystery assignment from a mystery client, and calls Charles to tell him she needs his help again. Charles accepts whatever her next assignment will be.

Production

Mike Schur and his producing partner Morgan Sackett had been adapting the 1989 film Field of Dreams for Peacock. The series did not move forward, so Sackett sent Schur an email asking if he had seen The Mole Agent , to adapt that into a television series. [8] Sackett suggested, via an email he sent to Schur, that Danson play the lead. [9]

In March 2023, it was announced that Danson was to star in the series. [1] The rest of the cast was announced in February 2024; at the time, the series was titled A Classic Spy. [6] While filming on location in San Francisco and in the redwoods along the Russian River, the cast and crew were staying at the Fairmont hotel at the same time as U.S. President Joe Biden. [10] Only the exterior shots were filmed on location in San Francisco, with the sole exception of an interior shot of the Piazza Pellegrini restaurant. [10] In August, Netflix released first look images from the series. [7]

It was announced on December 16, 2024, that the series had been renewed for a second season for a 2025 release. [5]

Release

The first season of A Man on the Inside was released on Netflix on November 21, 2024. [2] The second season is set to be released on Netflix sometime in 2025. [5]

Reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 95% approval rating with an average rating of 8/10, based on 41 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Tailor-made to suit Ted Danson's estimable strengths, this warm and witty sitcom discovers a lot of life left in those who've been put out to pasture." [3] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 75 out of 100 based on 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. [4]

Ben Travers of IndieWire gave the series an A- and said, "It's a tremendous performance made to look effortless, much like A Man on the Inside is a sage, ambitious new series made to be painlessly, pleasantly enjoyed." [11] Reviewing the series for Chicago Sun-Times , Richard Roeper gave a rating of 3.5/4 and wrote, "A Man on the Inside moves at a breezy clip, but still finds room to flesh out a number of subplots and supporting players." [12]

For its first season, it was recognized as one of the top 10 television programs of 2024 by American Film Institute. [13]

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References

  1. 1 2 Otterson, Joe (March 7, 2023). "Netflix Orders 'Mole Agent' Series Adaptation Starring Ted Danson From Mike Schur". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  2. 1 2 Nemetz, Dave (October 28, 2024). "Ted Danson's Netflix Comedy A Man on the Inside Nabs Release Date — See Him Go Undercover in a New Trailer". TVLine. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "A Man on the Inside: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  4. 1 2 "A Man on the Inside: Season 1". Metacritic . Retrieved November 21, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 DeVore, Britta (December 16, 2024). "The Fate of Ted Danson's 'A Man on the Inside' Is Decided at Netflix One Month After Release". Collider. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Andreeva, Nellie (February 2, 2024). "Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Stephanie Beatriz, Sally Struthers, Margaret Avery & Eugene Cordero Among 13 Cast In Mike Schur/Ted Danson Netflix Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Otterson, Joe (August 23, 2024). "Ted Danson Goes Undercover in First Look at Mike Schur's Netflix Comedy Series 'A Man on the Inside'". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2024.
  8. ↑ Villarreal, Yvonne (November 14, 2024). "Ted Danson and Mike Schur celebrate 'living a bigger life' with age in 'A Man on the Inside'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  9. ↑ Huff, Lauren (September 20, 2024). "Mike Schur says it was 'a no-brainer' to cast Ted Danson as a nursing home spy in A Man on the Inside". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Gentile, Dan (November 21, 2024). "San Francisco is the star of Ted Danson's new Netflix show". SFGATE . Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  11. ↑ Travers, Ben (November 21, 2024). "'A Man on the Inside' Review: Ted Danson Is a Perfect Spy in Netflix's Brave and Sentimental Sitcom". IndieWire . Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  12. ↑ Roeper, Richard (November 21, 2024). "'A Man on the Inside' is a Netflix gem, thanks to Ted Danson and some sharp writing". Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  13. ↑ Davis, Clayton (December 5, 2024). "AFI Awards: 'Anora,' 'Emilia Pérez' and 'Wicked' Among 10 Best Films, Top TV Shows Include 'The Penguin' and 'Shogun'". Variety. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
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