Meet the Faces Behind Hulu’s Most Buzzworthy New Comedy, ‘Not Suitable for Work’

Mindy Kaling has a talent for assembling the kind of ensemble cast that makes audiences instantly root for everyone on screen, and her latest Hulu comedy is no exception.

‘Not Suitable for Work’ centers around five work-obsessed twenty-somethings striving for professional success and, if they have time, personal happiness in Manhattan’s most glamorous neighborhood, Murray Hill. With a premise that feels equal parts relatable and aspirational, the show has arrived at the right cultural moment.

The series premiered on Hulu on June 2, 2026, with showrunner Charlie Grandy at the helm and executive producers Mindy Kaling and Howard Klein steering the ship. Already generating significant buzz, the show is being discussed as a Gen-Z ensemble comedy with a classic New York soul, and the cast assembled to bring it to life is turning heads across the entertainment industry.

The Lead Cast of ‘Not Suitable for Work’ and the Characters They Play

Ella Hunt leads the ensemble as AJ Pascarelli, described as a charming but intense first-year analyst at the most prestigious investment bank in New York. Avantika plays Abhinaya “Abby” Chilukuri, a fashion-obsessed, savvy assistant to a demanding celebrity stylist. The two women share an apartment, and their contrasting personalities give the show much of its comedic and emotional energy.

Will Angus rounds out the friend group as Davis Beau Bradley Barrett III, a high-energy finance bro who, underneath his fratty exterior, just wants to love and be loved. Jack Martin portrays Josh Teitelbaum, a smart, idealistic, and occasionally sanctimonious New Yorker, born and raised.

Nicholas Duvernay plays Kel Washington, a charming and slightly anxious medical student struggling to ace his exams while plotting his big break as an actor. The three men live directly across the hall from AJ and Abby, setting up the kind of proximity-driven chaos that great ensemble comedies thrive on.

Nicholas Duvernay himself compared his character Kel Washington to Ross Geller, saying that he’s “very Ross-coded,” and Jack Martin said his character Josh Teitelbaum is “a little bit like Chandler.” Those ‘Friends’ comparisons are no accident, and they speak to the show’s ambitions as a defining sitcom for a new generation of streaming audiences.

The Rising Stars Who Make ‘Not Suitable for Work’ Worth Watching

Ella Hunt brings serious dramatic credibility to what is largely a comedic role. Hunt is known for playing Sue Gilbert on the Apple TV series ‘Dickinson,’ which starred Hailee Steinfeld as the famous poet Emily Dickinson. She also appeared in the 2022 Netflix film adaptation of ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ and portrayed Saturday Night Live alum Gilda Radner in the 2024 movie ‘Saturday Night.’ Her range makes her a compelling anchor for a show that blends workplace pressure with personal vulnerability.

Avantika, who brings to life AJ’s roommate and best friend Abby, is 21 years old and is perhaps best recognized from her role as Karen in the musical reboot of ‘Mean Girls.’ Critics have noted that she practically steals the ‘Mean Girls’ reboot, and in ‘Not Suitable for Work’ she plays Abby as the assistant to celebrity stylist Vanessa Hsu, played by Constance Wu, who enjoys riffing on the Miranda Priestly model of fashion boss. Avantika’s comic timing and screen presence have made her one of the most talked-about young performers in the project.

Nicholas Duvernay previously starred alongside Sofia Carson and Nicholas Galitzine in the 2022 Netflix movie ‘Purple Hearts’ and appeared on ‘Tyler Perry’s Assisted Living.’ Meanwhile, Jack Martin has been seen in the Hulu film ‘Pizza Movie,’ co-starring ‘Stranger Things’ actor Gaten Matarazzo, as well as the NBC series ‘La Brea.’

Jay Ellis Brings Star Power as the Boss of Murray Hill

Jay Ellis plays Bill Gibson, described as a charismatic, successful investment banker admired for being his firm’s highest earning managing director. His presence adds a seasoned, magnetic counterweight to the younger ensemble, and his dynamic with the core five characters is shaping up to be one of the show’s most compelling threads.

Ellis is best known for playing Lawrence Walker in ‘Insecure,’ which ran for five seasons on HBO from 2016 to 2021, and for his role as Lieutenant Reuben “Payback” Fitch in the 2022 blockbuster ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ His casting in ‘Not Suitable for Work’ also marks a reunion of sorts with Kaling, as he currently stars in her Netflix comedy ‘Running Point.’

When speaking with PEOPLE, Kaling shared that she has been a fan of Ellis since his polarizing role in ‘Insecure,’ highlighting that his chemistry with creator and star Issa Rae was “dynamic” and that she knew that was the energy she wanted for her shows. His ability to play charismatic authority figures with layers beneath the surface clearly made him a natural fit for this world.

A Stacked Guest Cast That Adds Even More Firepower

The supporting and guest roster for ‘Not Suitable for Work’ reads like a who’s who of recognizable television talent. Recurring guest stars include Victor Garber, Greg Germann, Judy Gold, Ego Nwodim, Harry Richardson, Constance Wu, Laura Bell Bundy, May Hong, Bhavesh Patel, Emilia Suárez, and Michael Benjamin Washington. That depth of talent in recurring roles signals that the show is designed to feel lived-in and fully populated, not just a showcase for its five leads.

Constance Wu plays Vanessa Wu, the celebrity stylist boss to Avantika’s Abby, described as an effectively snotty employer clearly riffing on the Miranda Priestly archetype. The casting of Wu in this kind of comedic villain role is one of the more delightful surprises the show has to offer, and early reactions suggest she makes the most of every scene she is in.

‘Not Suitable for Work’ is set to premiere on Tuesday, June 2, with three episodes available immediately, followed by two new episodes each Tuesday until the season finale arrives on June 23, streaming exclusively on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the United States. With a cast this strong and a creative team this proven, the only real question is which character will become your favorite. So, which of these five twenty-somethings do you relate to most, and does ‘Not Suitable for Work’ already have the makings of your next obsession?