A Man on the Inside arrived on Netflix on November 21, 2024, introducing television fans to their next favorite cozy mystery-comedy. Created by Mike Schur and based on the Chilean documentary The Mole Agent, the new must-watch series is led by Ted Danson as Charles, a retired professor and widow who chooses an interesting new life path, becoming an amateur spy in a retirement home rocked by theft. After he enters Pacific View, things get complicated as he has to balance his covert investigation with his building relationships with the residents.
By the finale of the eight-episode debut season, Charles's time at Pacific View ends. The same can't be said for his amateur detective career, as Schur and Danson already have plans for the series' next mystery. Here's everything we know about the potential of A Man on the Inside season 2, including whether any of season 1's stars could return for more episodes.
Has 'A Man on the Inside' been renewed for season 2?
Prepare for more septuagenarian spy antics! On December 26, 2024, Netflix announced that A Man on the Inside has been renewed for a second season. The forthcoming season is among Netflix's slate of comedy shows set to return (and we're thrilled about), including the romance series Nobody Wants This and Survival of the Thickest.
“We are thrilled to make another season of A Man on the Inside, starring young up-and-comer Ted Danson,” series creator Michael Schur told Tudum. “From our partners at Netflix and Universal TV to the writers, cast, and crew, it’s a truly exceptional team of talented and lovely people, with one notable exception (young up-and-comer Ted Danson, who’s kind of a nightmare).”
When will 'A Man on the Inside' season 2 come out?
While it's too early for an exact release date, Netflix has revealed that A Man on the Inside season 2 is set to arrive on the platform sometime in 2025. This puts the new episodes in line with season 1's production schedule. According to Deadline, A Man on the Inside (then titled A Classic Spy) gathered its cast in early February 2024 and began filming later that month before its November 2024 premiere. Variety revealed in a late March 2025 casting announcement (more on that below) that filming on season 2 is set to begin in April, so based on last season's production timeline, fans can likely expect new episodes around November 2025.
Who in the 'A Man on the Inside' cast will return for season 2?
With A Man on the Inside being a mystery-box series, it's nearly guaranteed that the show's mystery solvers (and their families) will return for season 2, including Ted Danson (Charles), Lilah Richcreek Estrada (Julie), Mary Elizabeth Ellis (Emily), and Eugene Cordero (Joel).
Unfortunately, it's not as clear whether any of the residents or staff of Shady Pines would return since that story from season 1 gets wrapped up nicely by the finale. Hopefully one or two of Charles's new friends could pop up for a cameo, but it's more likely that A Man on the Inside would bring on an all-new cast each season, à la Only Murders in the Building.
Who are the new cast members in 'Man on the Inside' season 2?
In late March 2025, A Man on the Inside began building out the new additions to its season 2 ensemble—and it looks like it's shaping up to be an exciting second installment. Wholesome news incoming: Danson's real-life wife, Mary Steenburgen, is joining the cast. Variety confirmed that the Golden Globe-nominated actress (most recently known for roles in comedies like Book Club and Step Brothers) will star opposite her husband of 30 years. The outlet teased her role as Mona Margadoff, "a former musician who factors heavily in the case Charles is trying to solve." We can't wait to see this family affair!
Steenburgen isn't the only new face in season 2. In May, Deadline reported a whopping 11 new additions to build out the ensemble. A handful of longtime TV favorites will appear: Max Greenfield (New Girl), Jason Mantzoukas (Big Mouth, Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Gary Cole (NCIS, Veep), Disney Channel alum Madison Hu, Constance Marie (George Lopez), David Strathairn (the Bourne series), Linda Park (Star Trek: Enterprise), Jill Talley (Mr. Show with David and Bob), Sam Huntington (Being Human), Michaela Conlin (Bones), and YouTuber/comedian Lisa Gilroy.
Descriptions of their characters were also revealed: Cole will play "Brad Vinick, a successful businessman whose sizable donation to his alma mater starts a chain reaction that leads to Charles getting hired;" Conlin portrays "Andrea Yi, who teaches economics at Wheeler College, and is excited about the changes coming to the school;" Gilroy's role is "Kelseigh Rose, a budding photographer, is the new wife of billionaire Brad Vinick;" Greenfield is "Jack Beringer, the charismatic President of Wheeler College, whose job requires him to raise money from wealthy graduates;" Hu portrays "Claire, a Wheeler College Junior who works multiple campus jobs to pay for her tuition;" Huntington is "Max Griffin, a rabble-rousing professor of journalism at Wheeler College;" Mantzoukas will be "Apollo Lambrakis, an affable contractor who dreams of writing the Great American Novel;" Marie's character is "Vanessa, a former con-artist who serves as a part-time-source on the criminal underworld for Julie;" Park plays "Elizabeth Muki, the director of the Fine Arts Department at Wheeler College;" Straitharn's role is "Dr. Cole, head of the English Department at Wheeler College, and the most famous and popular professor on campus:" and Talley plays "Holly Bodgemark, the overworked, perpetually frazzled Provost of Wheeler College."
In early July, yet another name was added to the ensemble! TV legend and Emmy winner Jackée Harry (best known for the sitcoms 227 and Sister, Sister) is joining the show, according to Deadline. However, unlike other new cast members, her role is being kept under wraps. Interestingly, Deadline reported that she could potentially return in season 3, too.
We're looking forward to watching these suspects in season 2!
What will 'A Man on the Inside' season 2 be about?
Spoilers for the ending of A Man on the Inside ahead. The final moments of A Man on the Inside's season 1 finale flash forward a month after the Pacific View case ended. After getting briefed on a new case, private detective Julia says her team will have to pass because it's "impossible," before her assistant Megan (Kerry O'Malley) points out how they already know someone perfect for the job. "Oh, crap," Julie says, before calling someone and telling them, "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I have another job for you."
Charles is on the other line, and has a brief, very cool moment where he answers, "Say no more," and hangs up...before quickly calling back. "Hey, sorry. I do need you to say more. But whatever it is, I'm in." Restart the guitar riff, we have a season 2.
Because season 1 ended without cliffhangers, Charles' next investigation is entirely open-ended and the show could go in several different directions.
Creator Mike Schur has ideas, though. Speaking with Deadline when the show premiered in November 2024, he shared hopes for a continuation and what he had been thinking about in terms of its future. "We’re sort of in a fingers crossed, we’ll that bridge when we come to it, kind of a deal. But I will say that there is no shortage of ideas from me and from other writers about what we might do in a future season. Fingers crossed, we’ll see," he told the outlet. Meanwhile, Danson reportedly crossed his fingers and added, "Dear Lord, yes."
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Danson admitted that his new Netflix series may be his favorite job yet and how its future could go in several way. The star reiterated that "there's no shortage of stories to tell" in the series, and mentioned that he'd love to see some of his co-stars reappear in a second season.
"I'm so grateful that I have no idea [about season 2's plot], so I wouldn't have to pretend like I can't tell you," he said. "I know that Mike has millions of ideas. If we're so lucky, seeing how it takes place in San Francisco, it'd be nice if some of these characters [from season 1] we could bump into them on the street, because it won't take place in that retirement home. It'll be someplace else, but they all live in San Francisco, so it'd be wonderful to bump into them that way."
