TV review: FX’s new series Adults

May 23, 2025- Permalink

The new FX series Adults, which will also stream on Hulu and Disney+, follows a group of twenty-something friends hanging out together in New York as they try to navigate an adulthood that they’re not ready or equipped for. Now, you might say, “Isn’t this Friends?”, but Adults has only five characters and way more references to cocaine and PCP. Like a lot more.

Created by Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw and including Nick Kroll among its executive producers, the series follows Samir (Malik Elassal), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), Issa (Amita Rao) and Anton (Owen Thiele) as they live together in Samir’s childhood home. Except for Paul Baker, who’s recently started a relationship with Issa, they’ve known each other for years and they’re clearly not ready to step out on their own. They live a deeply connected life, whether it’s with each other or their social media apps, but as they try to navigate life, careers and relationships, having that support is more necessary than ever.

Six episodes were provided to me to review and I’m glad it was that number. For me the show really didn’t begin to gel until the third episode, where I finally found myself invested in the characters and the writing. Just like the characters’ lives, I thought the show was unsure of its direction and voice in the first two episodes and I was ready to give up, but in the third episode I was beginning to see where the characters and situations could grow. Though the ensemble cast found their footing in season three (Samir and Paul Baker have a particularly hilarious encounter in a store), the guest appearances from Ray Nicholson and Charlie Cox also add some extra power to their episodes.

I’d recommend checking out Adults. Just like new friends, it may take a few encounters to truly appreciate them.