Hello, everyone! Hope you’re doing well. Today, I’m diving into the drama Mid-Century Modern, featuring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer, and Nathan Lee Graham in a touching sitcom about three gay friends who decide to share their lives in Palm Springs during their senior years.
The show debuted on Hulu on March 28, 2025, with all 10 episodes available at once, and was crafted by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan. Each half-hour episode delivers a blend of traditional sitcom charm with a fresh edge. This series represents Linda Lavin’s final TV role, as she passed away after completing seven episodes, appearing in a total of eight.
The plot revolves around three lifelong friends—gay men of a certain age—who, following an unexpected loss, opt to spend their later years together in Palm Springs, where the wealthiest among them resides with his mother. It’s a narrative about chosen family, demonstrating that friendship and laughter can overcome life’s toughest moments. Palm Springs acts as the scenic backdrop, offering a mix of beautiful visuals and the unique dynamics of a retirement community ripe for comedic exploration.
Starting Anew at Sixty
Close friends Bunny (Nathan Lane), Jerry (Matt Bomer), and Arthur (Nathan Lee Graham) decide to cohabit in Palm Springs with Bunny’s mom (Linda Lavin) during their senior years. What begins as a sensible choice quickly becomes an adventure of self-discovery, romance, and the realization that the sixties can be a vibrant decade.
The brilliance of Mid-Century Modern is in its portrayal of aging not as a decline but as an opportunity. These characters aren’t waiting for the end; they’re embracing a new phase with wisdom and the freedom of having little to lose. Each episode delves into their life in Palm Springs, from dating younger men, handling family expectations, to navigating the unique social scene of a wealthy retirement community.
The series doesn’t dodge the realities of aging, maintaining an optimistic perspective that feels genuine. It’s about friendships that have endured decades and keep evolving, family ties that need constant adjustment, and the notion that it’s never too late to surprise oneself.
Bunny: Nathan Lane’s Masterful Leading Role
Nathan Lane gives one of his best TV performances as Bunny, the affluent friend whose Palm Springs house becomes the group’s hub. Lane applies all his theatrical skills, finely tuning his performance for television. Bunny is kind, anxious, loving, and sometimes exasperating in the way only true friends can be.
Lane’s rapport with Linda Lavin as his mother Sybil delivers some of the series’ most heartfelt scenes. Their bond feels authentic, showcasing how adult children and their aging parents manage changing dynamics with humor and affection. Bunny’s journey involves learning to share his living space and his mother while uncovering new facets of himself in this communal setup.
The character might easily become a stereotype in less capable hands, but Lane captures the humanity in Bunny’s quirks and worries. It’s a performance that displays Lane’s remarkable range, from broad physical comedy to moments of real vulnerability.
Jerry and Arthur: Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham’s Seamless Rapport
Matt Bomer brings his natural charisma and emotional insight to Jerry, crafting a character who is both the group’s voice of reason and its romantic dreamer. Bomer’s performance is sincere and genuine, portraying Jerry as someone who truly cherishes his friends while maintaining his own identity and desires.
Nathan Lee Graham completes the trio as Arthur, and his chemistry with both Lane and Bomer feels effortless and genuine. The three actors have constructed believable, long-lasting friendships that feel specific and authentic. Graham adds wit and depth to Arthur, making him much more than just the third wheel in this ensemble.
The beauty of these three performances is in how they sidestep falling into typical sitcom stereotypes. Each character possesses depth, imperfections, and growth over the season, with their individual storylines being as captivating as their interactions.
Linda Lavin’s Final Performance
Linda Lavin’s last TV role as Sybil is both heartbreaking and fitting. Lavin uses her extensive television experience to create a character who is sharp-witted, humorous, and entirely her own person, even while living with her grown son and his companions.
Sybil defies the typical sitcom mother stereotype. She’s a woman with her own interests, views, and romantic prospects. Lavin’s scenes with Lane sizzle with an authentic mother-son dynamic that feels both particular and universal. Her presence enhances every scene she graces, and knowing this was her final role makes each moment on screen feel significant.
The series treats her character with great respect and affection, offering a fitting tribute to one of television’s most cherished performers.
Success on Hulu
Mid-Century Modern has generally received favorable reviews from critics and is lauded for its humor and nostalgic allure. It harkens back to the classic sitcom style while fearlessly embracing a modern, edgy humor. Mid-Century Modern is delightfully traditional.
The show has captivated its Hulu audience, appealing to viewers seeking character-driven comedy that doesn’t rely on cynicism or harshness for laughs. Mid-Century Modern is a charming retro comedy with an edge, elevated by stellar performances. The show demonstrates there’s still a hunger for classic sitcom storytelling when executed with such care and talent.
Critics have especially lauded the series for portraying its older characters as fully developed individuals with active romantic and social lives, rather than merely as the butt of aging jokes. It’s representation that feels both groundbreaking and overdue.
If you enjoy tales of friendship, family dynamics, and the belief that life’s best chapters might still lie ahead, Mid-Century Modern is the ideal series to binge on Hulu. It’s a show that honors the wisdom of age and the everlasting potential for new beginnings, wrapped in the warm, humorous storytelling that classic sitcoms excel at.
A beautifully crafted series that illustrates friendship, laughter, and love have no expiration dates, featuring career-defining performances from its entire cast in Linda Lavin’s touching farewell role.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 10
Platform: Hulu (US) / Disney+ (International)
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Genre: Comedy
Protagonists: Nathan Lane (Bunny), Matt Bomer (Jerry), Nathan Lee Graham (Arthur)
Antagonist: Life’s challenges and family dynamics (situational conflicts)