One Season & Done: Hulu Axes Mindy Kaling’s ‘Not Suitable for Work’
Hulu Cancels Mindy Kaling’s Comedy "Not Suitable for Work" After One Season
Important Point: The show isn’t necessarily gone forever! Warner Bros. TV is actively trying to find it a new home on another network or streaming service.
What Happened?
Hulu has decided not to renew the comedy series "Not Suitable for Work" for a second season. The show, created by Mindy Kaling, premiered in June and aired nine episodes before getting the axe.
The Show at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Creator | Mindy Kaling |
| Showrunner | Charlie Grandy |
| Executive Producers | Mindy Kaling, Charlie Grandy, Howard Klein (3 Arts Entertainment) |
| Production Companies | Kaling International, Warner Bros. Television |
| Episodes | 9 |
| Premiere | June 2024 |
| Status | Canceled by Hulu; being shopped elsewhere |
What Was the Show About?
"Not Suitable for Work" followed a group of work-obsessed 20-somethings trying to make it in Murray Hill, one of Manhattan’s most glamorous neighborhoods. They juggled:
- Professional ambitions (high-pressure careers)
- Personal lives (friendships, romance, roommate drama)
- The chaos of early adulthood in New York City
Meet the Main Characters
- AJ (Ella Hunt) – An investment banker from Boston who moves to NYC for a new job
- Abby (Avantika) – AJ’s best friend, an aspiring celebrity stylist
- Davis (Will Angus) – AJ’s coworker who lives across the hall and has a crush on her
- Josh (Jack Martin) – A "nepo-baby" young journalist (translation: his family has industry connections)
- Kel (Nicholas Duvernay) – An aspiring actor who dropped out of med school
- Jay Ellis – Also stars in a key role
Notable Guest Stars
The show featured an impressive roster of recurring guest stars:
- Victor Garber
- Greg Germann
- Judy Gold
- Ego Nwodim
- Harry Richardson
- Constance Wu
- Laura Bell Bundy
- May Hong
- Bhavesh Patel
- Emilia Suárez
- Michael Benjamin Washington
Mindy Kaling’s Track Record
This was Kaling’s first sole creator credit since "The Mindy Project" (which ran 6 seasons total—3 on Fox, 3 on Hulu).
Since then, she’s had a string of hits:
- "Never Have I Ever" (Netflix)
- "The Sex Lives of College Girls" (HBO Max / Max)
- "Running Point" (Netflix) — Already renewed for Season 3!
What Did Critics Think?
Variety’s Alison Herman reviewed the show and wasn’t too impressed overall. However, she did note there were "glimmers of a more biting, memorable take" on young people balancing careers and romance in NYC throughout the nine-episode season.
What Happens Next?
The Show Could Still Survive!
Warner Bros. Television (the studio that produces the show) plans to shop it to other potential buyers. This means:
- Other streaming services (Netflix, Max, Amazon Prime, etc.) could pick it up
- Traditional networks might be interested
- The cast and crew would likely return if a new home is found
Summary
- Hulu canceled "Not Suitable for Work" after one 9-episode season
- Created by Mindy Kaling, starring Ella Hunt, Avantika, and ensemble cast
- Set in Manhattan’s Murray Hill — young professionals chasing career dreams and personal happiness
- Warner Bros. TV is shopping the show to other platforms — it may live on elsewhere
- Kaling’s other shows remain successful ("Running Point" just got Season 3 renewal)
FAQ
Why did Hulu cancel the show?
Hulu hasn’t publicly stated a specific reason. Typically, streaming services cancel shows due to viewership numbers not meeting internal benchmarks, cost vs. value analysis, or strategic programming shifts.
Can I still watch Season 1?
Yes! All nine episodes remain available to stream on Hulu.
What does "shopping it to other homes" mean?
The production studio (Warner Bros. TV) will pitch the show to other networks or streaming platforms (like Netflix, Max, Amazon, Peacock, or broadcast networks) to see if anyone wants to pick it up for Season 2.
Will the same cast return if it gets picked up?
Most likely. When shows get rescued by new platforms, the core cast typically returns — though scheduling conflicts can occasionally cause changes.
Is this a bad sign for Mindy Kaling’s career?
Not at all. Kaling has three other successful shows currently running or renewed. This cancellation is just one project in a very strong portfolio.