Hulu has decided not to renew Mindy Kaling‘s comedy series Not Suitable for Work for a second season. The news comes just two months after the nine-episode first season finished its run on the streaming platform in June 2026. The studio behind the show, Warner Bros. Television, is now looking for a new home for the series.
What Was ‘Not Suitable for Work’ About?
The show followed five work-obsessed twenty-somethings trying to build their careers and find personal happiness in Manhattan’s Murray Hill neighborhood. The main cast included Ella Hunt as AJ, Avantika Vandanapu as Abby, Will Angus as Davis, Jack Martin as Josh, Nicholas Duvernay as Kel, and Jay Ellis as Bill.
The series centered on AJ, an investment banker from Boston who moves to New York for a new job and lives with her best friend Abby, an aspiring celebrity stylist. Across the hall lived their male friends Davis (AJ’s co-worker who had a crush on her), Josh (a young journalist with family connections), and Kel (an aspiring actor who dropped out of medical school).
Victor Garber, Greg Germann, Judy Gold, Ego Nwodim, Harry Richardson, Constance Wu, Laura Bell Bundy, May Hong, Bhavesh Patel, Emilia Suárez, and Michael Benjamin Washington appeared as recurring guest stars.
Why Did Hulu Cancel the Show?
While Hulu has not given an official reason for the cancellation, several factors likely played a role. The show received mixed reviews from critics, earning only a 54% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, audiences responded more positively, giving it an 82% audience score.
The series was not a major breakout hit but had done respectable business in terms of viewers and buzz. The cancellation raises questions about whether streaming platforms will continue taking chances on shows with largely unknown young actors that don’t follow typical young adult romantic tropes.
Not Suitable for Work also faced challenges with marketing and finding its audience. The show’s original title was Murray Hill, but Hulu changed it before release.
The Cliffhanger That Will Remain Unresolved
The season finale ended on a major cliffhanger that now will likely never be resolved. All five main characters found themselves in love triangles by the end. AJ, Josh, and Davis were entangled in one love triangle, while Abby, Kel, and Kel’s theater colleague were caught in another. Davis and AJ also faced uncertainty about their jobs after standing up to their arrogant boss Bill.
Mindy Kaling had been optimistic about the show’s future when speaking to Deadline in June. She revealed that the writers’ room was already prepared for a second season.
“Our writers room has been up for Season 2, which is wonderful. Of course, the big question is whether we’ll get an official pickup for production. I keep my fingers crossed. I love the show so much, I’m so glad that it’s doing well.”
Part of a Trend at Hulu
The cancellation of Not Suitable for Work is the latest in a series of young adult shows that Hulu has passed on recently. The streamer also decided not to move forward with pilots for Buffy: New Sunnydale, Foster Dade, and Don’t Get High.
This pattern suggests Hulu may be stepping back from investing heavily in young adult programming that doesn’t have established franchises or built-in audiences.
What’s Next for the Show?
Warner Bros. Television, which produced the series under Kaling’s Kaling International label, plans to shop the show to other potential buyers. This means the show could potentially find a new streaming home or network, though it’s rare for canceled shows to get picked up elsewhere.
Both Kaling and showrunner Charlie Grandy hold overall deals with Warner Bros. Television, which could help in finding a new platform.
Mindy Kaling’s TV Track Record
Not Suitable for Work held special meaning for Mindy Kaling as it was her first sole creator credit since The Mindy Project. That show faced a similar situation when Fox canceled it in 2015, but Hulu stepped in and rescued it, extending its run to six total seasons.
Kaling has had several other successes, including Netflix’s Never Have I Ever, HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls, and Netflix’s Running Point, which has already been renewed for a third season.
However, she has also faced recent setbacks. HBO Max canceled The Sex Lives of College Girls in March 2025 after three seasons. The animated series Velma, which she executive produced and voiced, ended at Max after two seasons in 2024. Champions, which Kaling co-created for NBC, lasted only one season in 2018.
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Fan Reaction to the Cancellation
Fans expressed frustration on social media after learning about the show’s cancellation. Many were upset that the series ended on a cliffhanger that will now go unresolved.
One X user posted: “NOOOO WHAT. ON THAT CLIFFHANGER.” Another wrote: “WHAT THE F–K??? ARE THEY STUPID? This was one of the best most heart warming comedies in years!!! There was so much more story to tell.” A third fan noted: “cancelling shows after only one season should be banned.” Another added: “They don’t even let shows find their footing anymore. i hate streaming.”
The show had built a dedicated following during its short run, with viewers praising the cast’s chemistry and the show’s modern take on young adult life in New York.
Not Suitable for Work completed what could be seen as Kaling’s trilogy loosely based on her life experiences. It started with Never Have I Ever, which covered the teen experience, continued through college with The Sex Lives of College Girls, and ended with post-college life in New York on Not Suitable for Work.
The show’s nine episodes premiered in June 2026 and are still available to stream on Hulu. Whether another platform will pick up the series for a second season remains to be seen, but Warner Bros. Television is actively working to find the show a new home.
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