Five years after its finale, NBC's beloved sitcom "The Good Place" is leaving Netflix for a new streaming home. The series, starring Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, and Jameela Jamil, is set to vanish from the streamer on September 26. The show’s departure comes as Netflix's licensing deal with NBCUniversal expires. But don't go assuming this is the bad place just yet, as all four seasons of "The Good Place" will migrate to Prime Video.
Few names in comedy carry more weight than Michael Schur. Since his days on "The Office," his knack for pairing offbeat premises with laugh-out-loud humor and unforgettable characters has turned nearly all his shows into instant TV staples. "The Good Place," though more high-concept than Schur's previous workplace sitcoms, became another runaway success when it premiered in 2016.
With a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's cemented itself as one of those comfort comedies that fans return to again and again. It's one of my all-time favorite shows, thanks to its heartwarming message and charming characters who, unlike in a lot of sitcoms, grow and change over the course of the series. So here's why you should binge all four seasons of "The Good Place" before it leaves Netflix U.S. next week.
What is 'The Good Place' about?
If you have zero clue what "The Good Place" is about, do yourself a favor and don't look up anything about it; you're bound to get spoiled. I went into the first season blind after somehow managing to avoid spoilers for years, and it has one of the best twists in TV history.
While most sitcoms stretch their stories endlessly, "The Good Place" stands out as one of the rare examples that tells a cohesive story from start to finish. It follows Arizona trash bag Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell), who wakes up in a seemingly perfect afterlife known as “The Good Place” after her untimely death.
But something feels off. The neighbors are quirky, she doesn't vibe with her supposed soulmate, ethics professor Chidi Anagonye (William Jackson Harper), and even as her guide Michael (Ted Danson) explains the rules, Eleanor grows increasingly worried she doesn’t belong there. Determined to stay, she decides to become a better person before her old ways get her kicked out of paradise. Rounding out the cast are Jameela Jamil as philanthropist and fashion model Tahani Al-Jamil, D’Arcy Carden as virtual assistant Janet and Manny Jacinto as a man from Florida, Jason Mendoza.
What unfolds is both hilarious and surprisingly profound. With its mix of sharp humor, lovable characters, and thoughtful exploration of morality, "The Good Place" manages to entertain while still leaving you with plenty to think about.
Now is the perfect time to stream 'The Good Place'
I'm not the only one who thinks Schur's comedy is must-watch television. Over the course of its four seasons, "The Good Place" chalked up 12 Primetime Emmy nominations, with each season earning near-perfect critics' scores on Rotten Tomatoes. It's currently sitting at an equally impressive 90% from audiences as well.
That's because, at its core, "The Good Place" is a brilliantly charming reminder that it's never too late to change. That even the worst among us can learn empathy, embrace vulnerability, and grow in ways they never imagined. The series was exactly the kind of thoughtful, uplifting comedy audiences needed then, and maybe even more so now.
Remember, you still have time to stream all four seasons on Netflix before it heads to Prime Video on September 26.
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