Hulu Cancels Mindy Kaling's 'Not Suitable for Work' After One Season

3 min read
Source: Deadline
Hulu Cancels Mindy Kaling's 'Not Suitable for Work' After One Season
Photo: Deadline
TL;DR

Hulu has canceled the Mindy Kaling-created comedy 'Not Suitable for Work' after its first season. The series, which ran for nine episodes in 2026, received mixed critical reviews but strong viewer scores. Warner Bros. TV plans to shop the show to other networks, while the cancellation highlights Hulu's recent trend of dropping young adult dramas.

Key points

  • Hulu decided not to renew 'Not Suitable for Work' for a second season, ending the series after nine episodes.
  • The cancellation was first reported by Variety and confirmed by Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, and TVLine.
  • Warner Bros. Television, the production company, intends to shop the series to potential new homes.
  • The show starred Ella Hunt, Avantika, Will Angus, Jack Martin, and Nicholas Duvernay as work-obsessed 20-somethings in Manhattan.
  • Mindy Kaling executive produced the series with Charlie Grandy and Howard Klein, marking her first sole creator credit since 'The Mindy Project'.
  • The series ended on a cliffhanger with unresolved love triangles and employment issues for the main characters.

Background

This cancellation is part of a broader pattern at Hulu, which recently declined to renew several young adult and comedy pilots. In July 2026, Hulu renewed 'Good American Family' for a second season, indicating a shift toward anthology formats and true crime stories. The 'Not Suitable for Work' series was the final installment in a loose trilogy by Kaling, following 'Never Have I Ever' and 'The Sex Lives of College Girls.'

How outlets are covering it

Variety reported the cancellation first, noting that Warner Bros. TV plans to shop the show to other networks. Deadline emphasized the show's strong audience reception despite mixed critical reviews, highlighting Kaling's previous comments about hoping for a renewal. The Hollywood Reporter focused on the cast's previous enthusiasm for the project, with actors describing the show as 'refreshing' and having a 'Friends vibe.' TVLine noted the unresolved plot points, specifically the aftermath of a key romantic scene, and asked readers if the show was taken too soon. All sources agree on the basic facts of the cancellation and the show's premise, but differ in emphasis: Variety on the business side, Deadline on the audience/critic divide, THR on the cast's perspective, and TVLine on the narrative cliffhanger.

Why it matters

The cancellation of 'Not Suitable for Work' signals a potential shift in Hulu's strategy for young adult comedies, favoring anthology or true crime formats over ensemble dramas with unknown actors. It also raises questions about the viability of series that do not follow conventional tropes, as the show struggled to find a large enough audience to justify renewal despite positive viewer scores. For Mindy Kaling, it marks the end of a trilogy that chronicled her life from teen years to post-college life, and for the cast, it leaves multiple storylines unresolved.

What to watch

Warner Bros. TV is actively shopping 'Not Suitable for Work' to other networks or streaming services. If no new home is found, the series will remain canceled. Hulu may continue to focus on anthology and true crime content, as seen with the renewal of 'Good American Family.' The cast and crew may move on to other projects, with some actors already involved in other series like 'Dickinson' and 'Mean Girls.'

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