A good friend of mine, Becky (aka Prairie Girl), recommended this one to me, and I’m so glad she did. I think this is one of the most underrated shows of 2024 that should’ve gotten more attention.

Netflix’s A Man On The Inside (Season 1)

Charles, a widowed retired professor, finds a fresh purpose when he responds to an ad from a private investigator and takes on the role of an undercover agent in a covert operation at a nursing home, The Golden Acres. Ted Danson is perfectly cast as Charles, and he is immediately likable. The show doesn’t waste time setting up Charles’ transition from being a passive guy who diligently sends news clippings to his daughter to him getting a job as a PI at a posh retirement community. I love the creative episode titles that evoke popular spy-related movies, i.e. Tinker Tailor Oldier Spy, Old Spy, Presents and Clear Danger, From Russian Hill with Love, etc.

Charles and his PI boss, Julie

Created by Michael Schur, who’s worked with Danson in The Good Place, each half-hour episode has great pacing and is brimming with energy. Danson, who’s in his late 70s, is still as sprightly and charismatic as ever. All his antics are amusing, and the way he gets too excited when he’s sleuthing is adorable. It’s fun to watch Charles interact with various characters of all ages. While Danson is the lead, the show frequently shines a light on the female characters. From the young’uns: his kindhearted daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), his no-nonsense PI boss Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) and the empathetic retirement home’s managing director Didi (Stephanie Beatriz) but he also builds rapport with fellow seniors like Virginia (Sally Struthers), Florence (Margaret Avery) and Calbert (Stephen McKinley Henderson). He even manages to make a frenemy with Elliot (John Getz), who’s jealous of all the attention Charles gets from the ladies, ahah.

Charles & Emily

Charles & Didi

There is not a single boring moment in the entire season, and every supporting character has an interesting arc. Shout out to Susan Ruttan (whom I remember from LA Law in the 80s!) as a retired costume designer, Gladys. I remember her from LA Law, a show I used to watch decades ago! I especially love Charles’ friendship with Calbert, and the episode where they hang out all over town is easily my favorite.

While the focus is mostly on solving the mystery of the missing items, the show also shines a light on the familial bond between Charles and Emily. I really adore Ellis’ performance here and how the series presents the domestic life of a mother in a realistic way as she raises three mixed-race rambunctious boys with her sweet husband Joel (Eugene Cordero). The theme of grief, loneliness, and memory loss is handled well, as Charles is still struggling to get over the death of his wife. I appreciate how this show captures the touching and real side of getting older and the struggles that come with it. The scenarios are hilarious, but never at the expense of older folks.

There are eight episodes on season 1, and I actually wish there were more, as I just can’t get enough. I haven’t been this excited about a sitcom since Frasier (the original ’90s version), and I can see myself watching reruns of this down the line. I’m thrilled the show has been renewed, but I’m bummed that Danson was overlooked at this year’s Emmys. Hopefully, he has a better chance of winning an Emmy or Golden Globe on season 2 (enough with all the awards for The Bear folks, please!)

Anyone who has an elderly loved one (and who hasn’t?) would enjoy this one. I love the San Francisco scenery, as the show’s filmed mostly on location, it’s one of my favorite cities to visit. A Man On The Inside is such a delightful series, but likely isn’t seen as ‘hip’ or ‘cool’ enough for Netflix to promote. It’s too bad, as I think this show is fun to watch, not just for the Boomers generation, but also for younger viewers who enjoy lively, well-written shows.

Have you seen A Man on the Inside? Let me know what you think!

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