A Man On The Inside premiered on Netflix last year and was a hit with critics and fans alike – and now it’s back for a second season
Retiree-turned-mole Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson) is back with A Man on the Inside, and this time, he goes undercover as the big man on campus
An “absolutely perfect” Netflix series has returned with a second season that is an “easy binge” yet again.
A Man On The Inside debuted on the streaming platform last year to widespread praise. Critics and viewers were equally impressed with the show.
The programme followed a retired academic who discovers fresh purpose when a private detective recruits him to work covertly within a San Francisco care home.
The series is the brainchild of Mike Schur, the creative force behind The Office (US), Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine Nine and The Good Place.
Ted Danson in Man on the Inside season two(Image: Netflix)
Schur drew inspiration from the documentary The Mole Agent, which chronicled a genuine pensioner who infiltrated a nursing facility to probe suspected abuse, reports the Mirror.
The second series continues as Charles Nieuwendyk – played by Ted Danson – remains keen to tackle another major undercover assignment.
His opportunity seemingly arrives when an anonymous blackmailer sets their sights on Wheeler College president Jack Berenger.
The institution recruits Charles to pose as an academic member of staff to uncover who is behind these menacing messages.
Could it be connected to the unconventional billionaire Brad Vinick, a Wheeler alumnus, and his proposed financial contribution to the establishment?
Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson in Man on the Inside(Image: Netflix)
Charles discovers plenty of potential culprits, yet becomes distracted by spirited music instructor Mona, whose enthusiasm for living stirs emotions he believed were buried following his wife’s passing.
Is he prepared to risk love once more at this point in his existence?
More crucially, has he developed feelings for the very perpetrator he was dispatched to expose?
Meanwhile, private investigator Julie sets off on her own path of personal development as she rekindles ties with a significant person from her history.
The debut series secured an outstanding 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Whether the subsequent series will achieve a similar rating remains to be seen.
Both reviewers and viewers heaped acclaim on the programme during its initial run.
One critique stated: “A Man On The Inside is a feel-good show with feel-good characters that is an enjoyable and easy binge. I look forward to returning to this series for a second season and more.”
Jason Mantzoukas guest stars in the new season of A Man on the Inside(Image: Netflix)
A number of fans expressed similar sentiments, with one declaring: “Absolutely perfect. Entertaining, well written, well acted, and, well, directed! Excellent character development, and I actually love all of them. I can’t think of a better show or comedy.”
This journalist has viewed advance copies of all eight instalments of Man on the Inside series two and can therefore guarantee fans that they’re set for plenty more helpings of what made the original so special.
Whilst we’ve left the residential care facility, a number of familiar faces make a welcome comeback and new characters arrive as though they’ve been there from the beginning (including a consistently show-stealing Jason Mantzoukas).
The first series possessed emotional depth and dedicated several sequences to highlighting the struggles faced by older people, including feelings of abandonment and the overlooked nature of their carers. This doesn’t quite apply this time regarding the educational establishment.
There are still plenty of moments that will bring a tear to the eye, however. Characters continue to grapple with grief and the ongoing struggle of moving forward, as well as mending relationships and keeping them intact.
Like the first series, it’s an easy binge-watch and fans will quickly devour all eight new episodes.
Unfortunately, the mystery this time isn’t as captivating. In fact, at times it even takes a back seat completely until a character is ready to reveal the next major plot development.
This doesn’t stop the show from being enjoyable but it does highlight a slight weakness the first series didn’t possess.
So far, A Man on the Inside is following steadily in the footsteps of The Good Place with a brilliant main cast, endearing characters and unafraid to tackle challenging themes.
The second series at least proves that A Man on the Inside can thrive far beyond its humble inspiration. Hopefully though, more effort will be put into crafting a mystery that the audience can have just as much fun trying to solve as the characters.
A Man On The Inside season two is streaming on Netflix
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