The creative partnership between Mike Schur and Ted Danson is one of the most successful in modern television. Their collaboration on The Good Place and their new Netflix series A Man on the Inside has been built on immense mutual respect. In a recent interview, Schur opened up about working with the legendary actor, giving fans a look at the professionalism and passion Danson brings to the set every single day.
Schur was clear in his praise. “No one’s more dedicated. Nobody cares more,” he stated. “He’s been doing this for 50 years. If he wanted to phone it in, he could totally phone it in and everyone would be fine with it, but he never phones it in. He just works so hard. He cares so much.“. He also highlighted Danson’s incredible career range, noting his iconic work in multi-camera sitcoms like Cheers, dramatic turns in shows like Damages, and his acclaimed single-camera comedy performances.
This enduring partnership, which began with the afterlife comedy The Good Place, has now evolved with their latest project for Netflix. Here is how their creative journey together continues to produce celebrated television.
The Foundation of Trust on The Good Place
The collaboration started when Schur was casting the lead for his high-concept NBC comedy, The Good Place. He envisioned a character, Michael, who was an architect of the afterlife—a figure who needed to appear instantly trustworthy and kind, yet harbored a massive, universe-altering secret. For Schur, there was only one actor who could pull off that delicate balance.
“When people open their eyes and there’s a person there, and that person says, ‘Don’t worry, you’re in the Good Place,’ it was important that both the characters and the audience ‘immediately trust him, and you believe that he is telling you the truth.’ Ted Danson is just that person,” Schur explained.
Danson was intrigued by the complex pitch and accepted the role without even reading a script. His performance became the anchor of the series, masterfully guiding the audience through the show’s philosophical twists and comedic turns. He had to play a character who was essentially performing a role himself, a challenge Danson embraced. “I was basically playing this larger-than-life Willy Wonka, tilted way too far forward, silly person—but I didn’t quite know how to be funny,” Danson once admitted, noting the difficulty of hiding the season’s biggest secret from the audience.
A Working Relationship Built on Respect and Collaboration
On set, Schur has consistently described Danson as an “idea machine,” someone who constantly contributes to his character and the scenes with inventive gestures and suggestions. One of the most iconic moments in The Good Place—Michael’s maniacal giggle when his demonic secret is revealed—was Danson’s own idea.
Schur deeply admires Danson’s fearless commitment to both comedy and drama. “Ted has this incredibly graceful manner about him… But then when you ask him to be silly or to lose his mind, or freak out, or have a panic attack… he just has a complete sort of gut-level commitment to whatever it is that he’s doing. He’s utterly fearless,” Schur said.
This professional admiration is a two-way street. Danson has often expressed his gratitude for being part of a project as unique as The Good Place, calling the experience “magic” and appreciating how the show mixed deep ethical questions with lighthearted humor.
Reuniting for A Man on the Inside on Netflix
Following the success of The Good Place, Schur and Danson have teamed up again for a new comedy series on Netflix titled A Man on the Inside. The show, which began streaming in November 2024, is based on the Oscar-nominated Chilean documentary The Mole Agent.
In this series, Danson plays Charles, a retired professor and widower who is hired by a private investigator to go undercover in a retirement community to solve a mystery. The role has already earned Danson critical acclaim, resulting in nominations for a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his performance.
The project sparked a significant bidding war among top streaming platforms before Netflix secured the rights, a testament to the high demand for new content from the Schur-Danson team. The series marks Danson’s return to a leading role in a streaming comedy, proving the continued strength of his collaboration with Schur.
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The Lasting Impact of a Television Icon
At 77 years old, Ted Danson’s career is a testament to his versatility and enduring appeal. From his star-making role as Sam Malone on the iconic sitcom Cheers to his dramatic work and recent comedy successes, he holds a unique place in television history. Schur emphasized this point, stating, “I mean, who has more range? Think about his career… You can’t have a wider range than that guy,“.
Danson’s dedication to his craft, even after five decades in the industry, is what continues to impress his collaborators. As Schur put it, Danson is “so thoughtful about the way he goes about his craft, and what he brings to the set every day is incredible.“. This work ethic is a key reason their partnership remains so fruitful, turning every project they tackle into a potential award contender and a favorite among audiences. All episodes of their latest collaboration, A Man on the Inside, are available to stream globally on Netflix.
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