Netflix’s Forgotten 2-Part Mystery Series Is Still One of Its Best

2 days ago 11

Gary Cole in A Man on the Inside Season 2

Published Apr 11, 2026, 5:47 PM EDT

Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics.

Netflix is home to many interesting series, spanning every genre from fantasy to political thriller, but one series that hasn't received the attention it deserves is the streamer's mystery comedy, A Man on the Inside. The 2024 series boasts a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes, proving it is doing something right, and yet, it has largely been overlooked by viewers. A Man on the Inside follows lonely retiree Charles Nieuwendyk (played by Cheers' Ted Danson) as he takes up a hobby as an undercover PI. This format sets up a hilarious mystery like no other as an investigator with no experience takes on one shocking case after another.

Now having released two seasons, A Man on the Inside has more than one engaging mystery that will keep viewers guessing, but the key to the show is Danson's character, whose growth throughout the series adds a heartfelt tone that sets it apart from the competition. Fortunately, the series has earned a third season renewal, meaning the cast will be back in the future with a new mystery. However, its general lack of mainstream attention is a shame, as A Man on the Inside offers a story that is equal parts funny and heartwarming, making it one of Netflix's best series.

What Is 'A Man on the Inside' About?

There are many mystery comedies on streaming these days, but A Man on the Inside stands out. Part of that is because the series doesn't involve murder or even excessive danger. Danson's Charles is a retired college professor who lost his wife and, in need of something to occupy his time, responds to an ad in the paper. Private investigator Julie Kovalenka (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) needs someone to help investigate a theft inside the Pacific View Retirement Community, where she cannot reasonably get access, but Charles can blend in with the residents. Though he has no experience investigating, and his instincts are usually wrong, Charles is Julie's only option. While the two are initially focused exclusively on the job, the series also depicts a friendship forming between Charles and Julie as he pushes past her emotional barriers.

In Season 1, the story primarily follows Charles' attempts to investigate the community of colorful characters, from the quiet and observant Calbert (Stephen McKinley Henderson) to the bubbly and enthusiastic Virginia (Sally Struthers). While this is an advantage for the show, it potentially jeopardizes the case as Charles quickly gets too attached to the friendly group. Yet, the investigation is only half the story, as during Charles' time in the retirement community, he must face the emotional fallout of losing his wife and confront his own loneliness. Although his methods are unconventional, Charles proves himself an effective investigator, and in Season 2, when a new mystery at a college arises, he is in the perfect position to play undercover operative.

A-Man-on-the-Inside-Ted-Danson-Mary-Steenburgen-Mike-Schur-interview

’A Man on the Inside’s Ted Danson Was Almost Killed on Set By Glitter

He and Mary Steenburgen also discuss playing a couple as real-life spouses, and Mike Schur talks casting Jason Mantzoukas and Lisa Gilroy.

'A Man on the Inside' Perfectly Balances Comedy and Drama

A lot of things about A Man on the Inside are unique, but what stands out the most is that, even with all the ingredients of a comedy, it balances humor and heart perfectly. Throughout the series, Charles undergoes an emotional journey as he takes major steps toward healing, including healing his strained relationship with his daughter, Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis). Charles also welcomes new people into his life as he discovers that the death of his wife doesn't mean he must isolate himself completely. The show's lead isn't the only character who experiences an emotional evolution, as Season 2 forces Julie to confront her own family history.

Yet, even with all the drama going on, A Man on the Inside never loses its humor, maintaining that through Danson's proven abilities and the quirky ensemble surrounding him. In this way, the series becomes more than another mystery because the real story is less about solving the case than it is about the characters themselves. With its two seasons to date, A Man on the Inside offers unpredictable mysteries, laugh-out-loud humor, and touching character growth, which is why it is one of the best series Netflix has to offer.