Ted Danson Stars in Netflix’s ‘A Man on the Inside,’ A Heartwarming Comedy on Aging and Investigation

Netflix‘s latest series, ‘A Man on the Inside,’ premiered on November 21, 2024, and stars the veteran actor Ted Danson in a unique and heartwarming role. Created by Michael Schur, known for his work on ‘The Good Place,’ this series blends comedy with poignant explorations of mortality, morality, and the meaning of life.

Danson plays Charles, a 76-year-old retired professor of engineering who, still grieving the loss of his wife, finds a new purpose in life by answering an ad from a private investigator. Charles becomes a mole in a secret investigation at a retirement community, a setting that allows him to navigate both the comedic and the serious aspects of aging.

The series features a cast of septuagenarian stars, including Sally Struthers, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Margaret Avery, and Veronica Cartwright, among others. Charles’s journey involves compiling dossiers on his new peers, uncovering secrets and grudges, but ultimately forming meaningful bonds and friendships despite the warnings against it from his handler, Julie.

‘A Man on the Inside’ is characterized by its mix of knockabout comedy and poignancy, reflecting Schur’s signature philosophical bent. While it may not be as rich and strange as ‘The Good Place,’ the series is a pleasure to watch, offering both humor and clear-eyed sentimentality as it tackles the loneliness epidemic among the elderly.