Casual: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 20 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 69 Ratings

See All

7.7

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.7	Your Score
7.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 69 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Casual

Now Playing: Casual

Season Details & Credits

Hulu | Season Premiere Date: October 7, 2015

Summary: Alex Cole, a bachelor brother (Tommy Dewey) and his newly divorced sister, Valerie Cole (Michaela Watkins) live together and raise her teenage daughter (Tara Lynne Barr) in this comedy from Zander Lehmann.

Creator: Zander Lehmann and Zander Lehmann

Genre(s): Comedy

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E10. Dave
Air Date: December 2, 2015
tbd
S1:E9. Mars
Air Date: November 25, 2015
tbd
S1:E8. Bottles
Air Date: November 18, 2015

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

David Wiegand

Sep 24, 2015

A compelling, surprise-filled show about the devaluation of romance in contemporary life. Read full review

Tim Grierson

Oct 7, 2015

Iif the path is well-worn, Casual mostly transcends predictability thanks to a finely calibrated tenor that mixes gentle laughs with a wistful, resigned air. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

Oct 5, 2015

The comic situations and commentary on how difficult it is to find love in the era of Twitter and texting feels organic to the three people at the center of this remarkably well-crafted and well-acted piece. Read full review

Emily VanDerWerff

Oct 9, 2015

Casual is more wry than funny, but it has some sharp observations and moments. It's also got a secret weapon in Watkins.... Casual definitely gets better as it goes along. Read full review

IndieWire Liz Shannon Miller

Oct 7, 2015

Every once in a while, the writing of Casual falls into an utterly predictable trap. Too many times, it's easy to guess who's walking in on or waking up next to who. Fortunately, many of those moments are then maneuvered into a plot development that proves pretty intriguing. Read full review

Sam Woolf

Oct 7, 2015

Casual really hits its groove around the midpoint, as more characters attach themselves long term to the main trio. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Oct 5, 2015

There are, admittedly, some funny lines (Valerie laments about a guy, “His favorite movie is ‘Underworld’ ”), and a bittersweet quality throughout that approximates some of Reitman’s films.... Still, the series just isn’t distinctive enough to separate itself from the pack, from the casting to the premise, in the way something like Hulu’s “Difficult People” did Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

7.7

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

Kev5683

Jul 4, 2016

I absolutely love this show, and fell in love watching it the first season. The 3 lead actors are each amazing, and are so great on screen together. Michaela Watkins really surprised me with the how well she is at acting in a more serious and darker comedy show like this, since I've onlyI absolutely love this show, and fell in love watching it the first season. The 3 lead actors are each amazing, and are so great on screen together. Michaela Watkins really surprised me with the how well she is at acting in a more serious and darker comedy show like this, since I've only ever seen her in more goofy and solely comedic roles before. Love the mother/daughter scenes between her and Tara Lynne Barr who is amazing playing Laura. Its great seeing more of Tommy Dewey, who I liked a lot on the Mindy Project, as one of Mindy's many boyfriends. Casual is without a doubt one of my new favorite shows and is definitely my favorite Hulu original show.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

words2theweiser

Aug 2, 2016

Two things : this show does have a little indy film feel and the three leads are terrific, particularly the two ladies.
What is terrific about this show is how they approach balance. not the life wrk balance, but relationship's balances and inner balance. It's a quiet topic with someTwo things : this show does have a little indy film feel and the three leads are terrific, particularly the two ladies.
What is terrific about this show is how they approach balance. not the life wrk balance, but relationship's balances and inner balance. It's a quiet topic with some depth, so there is no big broad humor or heavy melodrama( at least not yet). Over time the the characters- all three plus Leon- have developed enough unlikeablity and quirkiness that feel genuine that it keep it the characters interesting, and also provides fodder for the writers. That's balanced with enough humanity and love and natural strain between them to keep us caring. Their thoughtful yet constant bad decision making does more than keep the plot going. It smartly moves the characters , pushing them to their limits with themselves and each other. They could let the characters grow a bit more from each relationship but in the spirit of reality, it makes sense that they, especially Alex, does not.
I am not disappointed in the so-called lack f humor. I don;t think of this show as a comedy or a dramedy. It's between a dramedy and drama. Maybe it's about time we stop labelling so much and stop worrying about marketing a show and allow the artists to create and then we can get to simply watch what we enjoy when they are at their creative best.
I love the guest starring role and performance of Mike Birbiglia. What a fun revelation!
Honestly, when his character dries up (as it is destined to), if Chris Messina is up for grabs now that he's on The Mindy Project so little, the producers should grab him since he has the vibe for this show and would be a romantic lead with real substance- an actual threat for Alex- and frankly, he also would have been a far better choice as antagonist for the lead this season. The actor they have now is fine, but bland and for that role and for that of Sarah, it feels woefully miscast and underworked. They both needed to be sultry, complex and a little quirky, not simple and annoying to stand up to the others.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

reactionfilms

Nov 28, 2015

A great new show for those viewers who enjoyed Californication, Weeds and shows with a darker comedic edge. The main characters are well written, and I am excited to see where it goes. Mostly it is a show about trying to believe that love still exists in our culture of online dating, oneA great new show for those viewers who enjoyed Californication, Weeds and shows with a darker comedic edge. The main characters are well written, and I am excited to see where it goes. Mostly it is a show about trying to believe that love still exists in our culture of online dating, one night stands and cheap sex. I do not think that the show exploits language and nudity just to get viewers. I think most sex scenes presented are handled with care and only are present for the advancing of the story. As with many post modern shows dealing with the grayness of morality in relationships and sex, some viewers will find it offensive. For this looking for a relatable tale of internet dating and broken relationships, this is another interesting show to add to the list.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

Knighthawk81

Oct 12, 2015

I love Jason Reitman as a filmmaker and storyteller. He has a unique view of the world, and I've often been drawn to the stories he tells. I was looking forward to "Casual" for that reason, but the pilot was incredibly underwhelming. I expected more, or at least some consistency, and thereI love Jason Reitman as a filmmaker and storyteller. He has a unique view of the world, and I've often been drawn to the stories he tells. I was looking forward to "Casual" for that reason, but the pilot was incredibly underwhelming. I expected more, or at least some consistency, and there was none to be had.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

MaraStak

Jun 28, 2016

I genuinely like the premise of the show and many of the story-lines. That said, I also am genuine when I say that the main character is unbelievably unlikable and unbelievable. She somehow manages to obliterate a good scene upon entering. I am not sure if it is the character or the actressI genuinely like the premise of the show and many of the story-lines. That said, I also am genuine when I say that the main character is unbelievably unlikable and unbelievable. She somehow manages to obliterate a good scene upon entering. I am not sure if it is the character or the actress but the combination proves a vacuum of personality or joy. It also stuns me that Hollywood apparently believes that mid-30's looks more like early 50's.
The rest of the cast has energy and vitality but there is a dark cloud around the main character- admittedly going through a divorce but at this point who hasn't- that is inescapable.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

talonps1

Nov 11, 2015

Okay, I admit there are some funny dialogues at time but not nearly enough to justify watching these absolutely horrid characters interact with each other and then be subjected to the gratuitous sex scenes. Literally, those scenes are like 'hey look at us, Hulu we can show sex and cuss onOkay, I admit there are some funny dialogues at time but not nearly enough to justify watching these absolutely horrid characters interact with each other and then be subjected to the gratuitous sex scenes. Literally, those scenes are like 'hey look at us, Hulu we can show sex and cuss on camera...yeahhhh'. I watched 4 episodes and will never watch another.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

rachiebabie

Nov 30, 2015

All the characters seem synthetic, written, and fake. Really Hulu? Take a note from Amazon and go after great material instead of this regurgitated drivel.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

SEE ALL 10 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

81

Series Overview
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: July 31, 2018
Season 3

88
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: May 23, 2017
Season 2

88
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: June 7, 2016
Season 1

77
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: October 7, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E10. Dave
  Air Date: December 2, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E9. Mars
  Air Date: November 25, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E8. Bottles
  Air Date: November 18, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E7. Home
  Air Date: November 11, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E6. Biden
  Air Date: November 4, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E5. Mom
  Air Date: October 28, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E4. ...
  Air Date: October 21, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E3. Animals
  Air Date: October 14, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E2. Friends
  Air Date: October 7, 2015
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: October 7, 2015