(L to R) Mary Steenburgen as Mona, Ted Danson as Charles in episode 204 of A Man on the Inside. Photo credit: Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix © 2025.
Ted Danson is back on the case—joined by wife Mary Steenburgen—as Netflix’s AFI Award–winning comedy series A Man on the Inside returns for its second season.
Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson) jumps at the chance for another major undercover assignment when a hidden blackmailer sets their sights on Wheeler College president Jack Berenger (Max Greenfield). To get to the bottom of it, Jack sends Charles in disguised as a professor. The threats may tie back to outspoken billionaire alumnus Brad Vinick (Gary Cole) and his controversial pledge to the school, but Charles quickly discovers no shortage of suspects. His focus wavers when he meets Mona Margadoff (Mary Steenburgen), a free-spirited music instructor whose energy rekindles emotions he thought were gone after his wife’s death. As he inches toward opening his heart again, he also has to wonder: could Mona be the very culprit he’s hunting?
Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), inspired by the changes she sees in her father, begins rediscovering a passion she set aside years ago. Meanwhile, PI Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) embarks on her own personal evolution as someone from her past reenters her life.
While a few familiar faces from the Pacific View Retirement Community remain in the mix, there was no way the show could center another case there—not after Charles blew his cover. Shifting the action to Wheeler College ends up being the best possible move, injecting fresh energy into the show. The comedy continues firing on all cylinders and feels even more confident this time around. In my view, A Man on the Inside is the best comedy series on Netflix right now. Having Danson’s real-life wife Mary Steenburgen join as his love interest only sweetens the deal; there’s no need to manufacture chemistry when it already exists.
(L to R) Ted Danson as Charles, Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Emily in episode 203 of A Man on the Inside. Photo credit: Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix © 2025
Where producing partners Michael Schur and Morgan Sackett may have drawn inspiration from The Mole Agent in crafting the show’s premise, A Man on the Inside truly comes into its own in season 2. Audiences already connected with Charles and Emily last year; now we see how Mona’s arrival shapes both of their lives. Meanwhile, Julie’s new arc hints at meaningful developments for her character, and I’m eager to see where it goes in what feels like an inevitable season 3. Nothing has been announced yet, but renewal seems all but certain.
Most season 2 episodes of A Man on the Inside run just under 30 minutes, though the finale stretches closer to 40 as it ties up several threads. Even so, the season is a quick and easy binge. I had to break it up because of other commitments, but if not for that, I would have watched the entire thing in one sitting.
Season 2 of A Man on the Inside shows that the series is hitting its stride. With clever writing, standout performances from Ted Danson, Mary Steenburgen, and the rest of the ensemble, and storylines that balance heart and humor, the show delivers exactly what fans are looking for. Whether you’re tuning in for the laughs, the chemistry, or the quick-binge format, this season doesn’t disappoint. If you haven’t started watching yet, now is the perfect time to dive in—and if you loved season 1, season 2 only proves that the series is growing even stronger.
CREATED FOR TELEVISION BY: Michael Schur
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Michael Schur, Morgan Sackett, David Miner, Maite Alberdi, Marcela Santibañez, Julie Goldman, and Christopher Clements
CAST: Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, and Mary Steenburgen
SPECIAL GUEST STAR: Stephanie Beatriz
GUEST STARRING: Gary Cole, Michaela Conlin, Lisa Gilroy, Max Greenfield, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Madison Hu, Sam Huntington, Jason Mantzoukas, Constance Marie, Linda Park, David Strathairn, Jill Talley
Netflix releases the second season of A Man on the Inside on November 20, 2024. Grade: 4/5
Please subscribe to The Solzy Report and visit Dugout Dirt.
Related Posts
