Review: ‘A Man on the Inside’ – comedy series on Netflix

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Updated 19 January 2025
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Review: ‘A Man on the Inside’ – comedy series on Netflix

  • Dressed in impeccably pressed suits and armed with plenty of trivia about architecture, he saunters in, shyly at first, then begins to find his footing

“A Man on the Inside” is an eight-episode comedy series that premiered on Netflix in 2024, blending humor, heartfelt storytelling and a touch of mystery.

After retired professor and widower Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson of “The Good Place”) speaks to his concerned only daughter, Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis), he decides to make a change. A year after her mother’s death, Emily encourages her father to find a new purpose; to take a class or try a new hobby.

With a love of newspaper cutouts (he would often clip and mail interesting articles to Emily), Charles finds an intriguing yet vague job listing in the classified section.

He is soon recruited by Julie, a private investigator (Lilah Richcreek Estrada), who reluctantly enlists his help to uncover the whereabouts of a stolen necklace in a local San Francisco retirement community.

At its heart, the series explores the evolving father-daughter relationship between Charles and Emily, along with her husband and three teenage sons.

It also shows Charles making friends and trying out new things at an age and stage in his life when he thought life ended with his wife’s death.

Dressed in impeccably pressed suits and armed with plenty of trivia about architecture, he saunters in, shyly at first, then begins to find his footing.

“He’s like if a podcast wore a suit,” one staff member aptly describes him.

Then another valuable item is stolen from the community. Then another.

Stephanie Beatriz (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) co-stars as Didi, the sharp and determined managing director of the retirement community, bringing her trademark wit and charm to the role.

The whodunit-style show examines coping with grief, lost love, and the excitement of new beginnings from the perspective of seniors.

Whether you’re here for the mystery, the comedy, or its effortless charm, the series delivers a family-friendly binge-worthy viewing experience.

 


Mahmoud Sabbagh’s dark comedy scores new digital release deal

Updated 20 January 2026
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Mahmoud Sabbagh’s dark comedy scores new digital release deal

DUBAI: Saudi director Mahmoud Sabbagh has secured an agreement with digital film distributor and aggregator Under the Milky Way for the international digital release of his feature “Last Party in R. Desert,” according to Deadline.

The dark comedy marks the Saudi film pioneer’s third feature, following his breakthrough 2016 comedy-romance “Barakah Meets Barakah.” The film debuted on Netflix last July.

Under the new deal, “Last Party in R. Desert” will be released across multiple international territories on Apple TV, Google Play and Prime Video. The rollout will begin in the UK, Ireland and other English-speaking markets on Feb. 2, followed by a launch in the US and Canada on Feb. 3.

The film centers on Najm, a cash-driven local impresario and son of a renowned wedding singer, who is struggling to keep his music troupe afloat amid professional tensions and a shifting night scene in contemporary Saudi Arabia.

Abdullah Al-Barrak stars as Najm opposite acting and singing star Marwa Salem, who plays Cola, the troupe’s new lead female singer. The cast also includes the late actor Sami Hanafi as Silver, the professional sound engineer, and renowned local musician Radwan Jifri as oud player Tarefi.

The film is expected to expand to subscription and ad-supported platforms later this year.

Sabbagh wrote and directed the feature and serves as producer under his Jeddah-based El-Housh Productions, in co-production with Cairo- and Dubai-based boutique production company Nine Project.