Showrunner unpacks messy finale of Hulu's new hit comedy

The first season of "Not Suitable for Work" concluded with a significant cliffhanger, featuring a love triangle between AJ, Josh, and Davis. AJ's New Year's Eve kiss with Davis complicates her burgeoning relationship with Josh, a deliberate choice by showrunner Charlie Grandy to create a "messy" ending for a potential second season. Grandy noted Davis's support for AJ throughout the season likely fostered romantic feelings.

Similarly, Abby experiences jealousy when Kel, with whom she evolved from enemies to confidants, shows interest in another girl at a party. These intertwined relationship dynamics are intended to propel the series forward, with creator Mindy Kaling envisioning a potential 10-season arc.

Grandy elaborated that the show differentiates itself by focusing on timeless themes and relatable experiences from young adulthood, rather than chasing fleeting Gen Z trends. This approach mirrors Kaling's own early career experiences in New York City, prioritizing authentic storytelling.

The series also explored complete story arcs within its first nine episodes, such as AJ's intense but ultimately ended romance with her boss, Bill. This narrative structure allowed for character development while maintaining flexibility for introducing new characters and stories in future seasons, a concept Grandy found appealing.

Guest stars like Constance Wu and Victor Rasuk were drawn to the project, facilitated by its New York City setting, which made it easier for actors based there to participate. The showrunners expressed a desire for longer seasons, ideally 18 episodes, to allow for more in-depth exploration of characters and their workplace environments.