Fans of classic millennial comedy series like Comedy Central’sBroad Cityand HBO’sGirlsshould check out a new contemporary dramedy show on FX calledAdults. Created in the same vein as thehilariously inventiveBroad Cityand theself-reflexive New York-basedGirls,Adultsfeatures a slice-of-life tone that can feel both wonderfully and painfully relatable to viewers in their 20s. All eight episodes ofAdultsseason 1 premiered on August 03, 2025, and are now streaming exclusively on Hulu.Adultsearned a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 73% and an even better audience score of 84%.
WhileBroad CityandGirlsboth became generation-defining and iconic shows that ran for five or more seasons,Adultsis still finding its footing, but it still has a lot of potential to be a sort of replacement for these previous shows. Given thatGirlsconcluded in 2017 andBroad Cityended in 2019, they were intently focused on depicting the modern-day, pre-COVID lives of young millennials. Now, with the 6+ year age difference between these shows andAdults,the new FX comedy series narrows in on Gen Z and younger millennials, attempting to define their cultural perspective and demonstrate group dynamics.
Adults Aims To Be A Generation-Defining Comedy Series For Gen-Z
The trailer forAdultsgives viewers a glimpse at what to expect with the modern comedy series as Gen Z-aged twentysomethings reluctantly and hilariously struggle to embrace the concept of adulthood. One of the main characters, named Billie, played by Lucy Freyer, tells her fellowAdultscastmates that they are “in the roast chicken phase of life,” a humorous way of saying that they are old enough to host dinner parties and make the meals at home. The problem with this particular group is that they cling to each other for purpose and meaning, which prevents them from fully developing into more traditional adults.
BothGirlsandBroad Citycarried a similar theme of codependent friendships that also live at the heart ofAdults. Much like Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jackson’s based-on-a-true-story characters inBroad City,the main characters inAdultsrely on each other as a means of staying young and relevant. They avoid falling into the pitfalls of adulthood that require getting married, buying a house, and having children.
While similar,Adultsheavily leans into the tropes and consensus of Gen-Z, distinguishing it from the millennial focus ofGirlsandBroad City.
While similar,Adultsheavily leans into the tropes and consensus of Gen-Z, distinguishing it from the millennial focus ofGirlsandBroad City. For example, Owen Thiele’s Anton tells his coworkers he’sgoing “camera off” during a Zoom meeting and lies about being in the office.
Critics Mostly Enjoy The Chemistry & Wit Of Adults
Adultstrades millennial culture for Gen Z sensibilities, offering the current younger generation a show to relate to and reflect real-life scenarios, typically with a comedic twist. In his review ofAdults, Verne Gay ofNewsdaywrites, “Another “Friends” (or “Girls”?) knockoff with a likable cast and some sharp writing.”
Additionally, Brian Tallerico ofRogerEbert.comwrites, “Casting makes such a difference in a project like “Adults,” and all five of the leads bring their own comic energy in a way that distinguishes them without stealing focus or throwing off the rhythm of the entire piece.” That said,Adultswon’t be for everyone, as some critics found the series to be overly simpleand ineffective. Ben Travers ofIndieWirewrites, “Every one of the main characters is too brainless and basic to invest in, even when the series treats their shared ineptitude like a bonding agent.”
Adults Has A Great Comedic Ensemble Cast
Adults Features An Intriguing Slate Of Fresh Faces
The maincast ofAdultsis fantastic and one of the strongest aspects of the new comedy series. Even the recurring and guest actors like D’Arcy Carden and Charlie Cox are great, adding depth and authenticity to the show overall. There are evennotable appearances from celebrity actors such as Ray Nicholson and Julia Fox, which are promising endorsements for the longevity of the series.Adultsco-creators Rebecca Shaw and Ben Kronengold both wrote for several years onThe Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, which also adds a degree of contemporary integrity to the new comedy series.
