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

Key points

• Hulu decided not to renew 'Not Suitable for Work' for a second season, ending the series after nine episodes that premiered in June 2026.
• The cancellation leaves several plotlines unresolved, including love triangles involving AJ, Davis, and Josh, as well as employment issues for the main characters.
• Warner Bros. Television, which produces the show, intends to shop the series to other streaming services or networks for a potential new home.
• Mindy Kaling, the creator and executive producer, shared photos of the cast on Instagram, thanking fans for their support and expressing her love for the project.
• The series was Kaling's first sole creator credit since 'The Mindy Project' and completed a loose trilogy of her shows based on life stages, following 'Never Have I Ever' and 'The Sex Lives of College Girls'.
• Critics offered mixed reviews, with some noting the show's tone felt more rooted in the 1990s or 2000s than the Gen Z era, despite its modern setting.

Background

Mindy Kaling has a history of creating successful comedies that follow characters through different life stages, starting with 'The Mindy Project' on Fox and Hulu, then 'Never Have I Ever' on Netflix, and 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' on HBO Max. 'Not Suitable for Work' was intended to be the final chapter in this loose trilogy, focusing on post-college life in New York. The show was produced under Kaling's Kaling International banner with showrunner Charlie Grandy and 3 Arts Entertainment's Howard Klein. It featured a cast of relatively unknown actors, including Ella Hunt, Avantika, Will Angus, Jack Martin, and Nicholas Duvernay, alongside recurring guest stars like Constance Wu and Gigi Hadid. The series had a respectable viewership and an 82% audience score on Hulu, despite a 54% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter and Variety focused on the emotional reactions from the cast and Kaling, highlighting their gratitude and the potential for the show to find a new home. Deadline emphasized the business implications, noting that the cancellation raises questions about the viability of youth-oriented comedies with unknown leads that do not follow conventional romantic tropes. E! News provided a detailed recap of the cliffhanger ending, noting that the finale left the fate of the main love triangle uncertain. All outlets agreed that the show had a dedicated fanbase but did not achieve the breakout success needed for renewal. THR's critic Angie Han noted that the show's vision of love and career felt more Millennial than Gen Z, a point that may have influenced Hulu's decision.

Why it matters

The cancellation of 'Not Suitable for Work' highlights the risks streaming services take on youth-oriented comedies that do not fit traditional marketing categories. It may discourage other streamers from investing in similar projects with unknown leads, potentially limiting opportunities for new talent. The show's fate also underscores the challenges of creating content that resonates with a specific demographic while maintaining broad appeal. For Mindy Kaling, it marks the end of a personal trilogy, but her continued success with other projects suggests she will continue to create new content. The decision also reflects Hulu's broader strategy of focusing on content that has proven audience appeal, even if it means canceling shows with strong fan support but limited mainstream reach.

What to watch

Warner Bros. Television is expected to shop 'Not Suitable for Work' to other networks or streaming services in the coming months. If the show finds a new home, it could potentially be picked up for a second season or a revival. If not, the series will end with its cliffhanger finale, leaving fans without resolution. Mindy Kaling is expected to continue working on new projects, potentially including a new series or film. The cast members, including Ella Hunt, Avantika, and Jack Martin, will likely move on to other roles, though their social media presence suggests they will continue to engage with fans of the show. The cancellation may also influence future decisions by Hulu and other streamers regarding youth-oriented comedies, potentially leading to a more cautious approach in the future.