''Better Things'' is an American

comedy drama Comedy drama (also known by the portmanteau dramedy) is a hybrid genre of works that combine elements of comedy and Drama (film and television), drama. In film, as well as scripted television series, serious dramatic subjects (such as death, il ...

television series created by

Pamela Adlon Pamela Adlon ( ; ; born July 9, 1966) is an American-British actress. She is known for voicing Bobby Hill in the animated comedy series ''King of the Hill'' (1997–2010), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award. She also voiced Baloo in '' Ju ...

and

Louis C.K. Louis Alfred Székely (; born September 12, 1967), known professionally as Louis C.K. (), is an American stand-up comedian, actor and filmmaker. C.K. has won three Peabody Awards, three Grammy Awards, six Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Act ...

, which ran for five seasons between 2016 and 2022 on FX. It stars Adlon as a divorced actress who raises her three daughters—played by

Mikey Madison Mikaela Mikey Madison Rosberg (born March 25, 1999) is an American actress. She began her career acting in short films and received recognition for her role as a sullen teenager in the FX (TV channel), FX comedy series ''Better Things (TV se ...

Hannah Alligood Hannah Alligood, sometimes credited as Hannah Riley, is an American actress known for her role as Frankie in the FX television series '' Better Things''. Life and career Alligood was born in Birmingham, Alabama on June 28. 2003. In 2015, Allig ...

and

Olivia Edward Olivia Edward (born January 25, 2007) is an American actress. Best known for her role as Duke in the FX television series '' Better Things''. She began her career at the age of two and has appeared in numerous guest spots on TV series such as '' ...

—on her own. ''Better Things'' premiered on FX on September 8, 2016. The ten-episode first season was received warmly by critics. Four more seasons followed, in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022, all to critical acclaim. Adlon's performance has especially been praised; she was nominated for a

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series This is a list of winners and nominees of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Beginning with the 18th Primetime Emmy Awards, leading actresses in comedy have competed alone. However, these comedic performance ...

in 2017 and 2018. ''Better Things'' received a

Peabody Award The George Foster Peabody Awards (or simply Peabody Awards or the Peabodys) program, named for the American businessman and philanthropist George Foster Peabody, George Peabody, honor what are described as the most powerful, enlightening, and in ...

in April 2017, with the board stating: " ..this searingly funny and beautiful show is an at-times raw examination of the vicissitudes of working motherhood, crackling with feminist verve and energy, that consistently cuts new ground". The series concluded on April 25, 2022.

Cast

Main

as Samantha "Sam" Fox, a single mother and working actress raising three daughters in

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

. *

as Maxine "Max" Fox, Sam's volatile and angry but essentially decent oldest daughter. *

as Francesca "Frankie" Fox, Sam's strong-willed but rebellious middle child. *

as Duke Alice Fox, Sam's adorable and sweet-hearted youngest daughter. *

Celia Imrie Celia Diana Savile Imrie (born 15 July 1952) is a British actress and author. She is best known for her film roles, including the '' Bridget Jones'' film series, '' Calendar Girls'' (2003), '' Nanny McPhee'' (2005), '' The Best Exotic Marigold ...

as Phyllis "Phil" Darby, Sam's British mother who lives next door to her daughter with some looming physical and mental issues.

Recurring

Diedrich Bader Karl Diedrich Bader (born December 24, 1966) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his comedic and voice acting roles. He has appeared as a series regular in television sitcoms ''The Drew Carey Show'', '' American Housewife'', ...

as Rich, Sam's best friend, who is gay and has about the same amount of luck with men as Sam does *

Alysia Reiner Alysia Reiner is an American actress. She is best known for playing Natalie "Fig" Figueroa in the Netflix comedy drama series ''Orange Is the New Black'' (2013–2019), for which she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role as part of the en ...

as Sunny, Sam's newly divorced best friend * Greg Cromer as Jeff, Sunny's pot-smoking and lazy ex-husband * Rebecca Metz as Tressa, Sam's understated and very competent manager and friend *

Matthew Glave Matthew Glave is an American actor best known for his recurring roles in the television shows ''Picket Fences'', ''ER (TV series), ER'', ''Charmed'', ''Stargate SG-1'', ''Army Wives'', ''Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce'', ''Better Things (TV s ...

as Xander Hall, Sam's ex-husband and Max, Frankie, and Duke's absentee father *

Mather Zickel Mather Zickel (born ) is an American actor, mainly known for comedy roles, as well as the character Kieran in ''Rachel Getting Married''. A native of New York City, he has worked in both film and television since the late 1990s. He graduated from ...

as one of Sam's ex-boyfriends *

Lucy Davis Lucy Clare Davis (born 17 February 1973) is an English actress known for playing Dawn Tinsley in the BBC comedy ''The Office'' (2001–2003), Hilda Spellman in the Netflix series '' The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina'' (2018–2020), Dianne i ...

as Macy, Sam's close friend who has serious personal problems (seasons 1–2) * Patricia Scanlon as Joy, one of Sam's friends (seasons 1–2) * Emma Shannon as Pepper, Duke's friend (seasons 1–5) *

Kevin Pollak Kevin Elliot Pollak (born October 30, 1957) is an American actor, comedian, impressionist and podcast host. He has appeared in over 90 films; his roles include Sam Weinberg in Rob Reiner's ''A Few Good Men'', Jacob Goldman in ''Grumpy Old Men ...

as Marion, Sam's brother (seasons 2–5) * Jeremy K. Williams as Jason, Frankie's friend (seasons 2–5) *

Alex Désert Alex Désert is an American actor and musician, known for his roles in the TV series ''The Flash'', '' The Heights'' with Jamie Walters, ''Becker'' with Ted Danson, and Mr. Williams on ''Boy Meets World'', as well as the voice of Nick Fury for '' ...

as Donte, an actor who has worked with Sam in a car commercial and in ''Monsters in the Moonlight'' (seasons 2–3) *

Henry Thomas Henry Jackson Thomas (born September 9, 1971) is an American actor. He began his career as a child actor and had the lead role of Elliott Taylor in the film '' E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial'' (1982), for which he won a Young Artist Award and rece ...

as Robin, a single father and Sam's boyfriend (season 2) *

Judy Reyes Judy Reyes (born November 5, 1967) is an American actress, model, and producer, best known for her roles as Carla Espinosa on the NBC/American Broadcasting Company, ABC medical comedy series ''Scrubs (TV series), Scrubs'' (2001–2009), as Zoila ...

as Lala, Sam's friend (seasons 3–5) *

Cree Summer Cree Summer Francks (born July 7, 1969) is an American-Canadian actress and singer. She is best known for her extensive work in animation, voicing characters such as Elmyra Duff in ''Tiny Toon Adventures'' and related media, Susie Carmichael ...

as Lenny, Sam's friend (seasons 3–5) *

Matthew Broderick Matthew Broderick (born March 21, 1962) is an American actor. He starred in ''WarGames'' (1983) as a teen government hacker, and ''Ladyhawke (film), Ladyhawke'' (1985), a medieval fantasy alongside Rutger Hauer and Michelle Pfeiffer. He play ...

as Dr. David Miller, Sam's therapist with whom Sam becomes romantically involved (season 3) *

Janina Gavankar Janina Zione Gavankar (; born November 29, 1980) is an American actress and musician. She is trained as a pianist, vocalist, and orchestral percussionist and majored in theatre at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her roles include Eva "Papi" ...

as Nikki, an assistant director on ''Monsters in the Moonlight'' (season 3) *

Marsha Thomason Marsha Lisa Thomason Sykes (born 19 January 1976) is an English actress who is best known for playing Sara Evers in Disney's ''The Haunted Mansion'', Nessa Holt in the first two seasons of the NBC series ''Las Vegas'', Naomi Dorrit on the ABC ...

as Mer Kodis, a

talent manager A talent manager (also known as an artist manager, band manager, or music manager) is an individual who guides the professional career of Entertainer, artists within the entertainment industry. The responsibility of a talent manager is to ove ...

who shows romantic interest in Sam (season 3) *

Kris Marshall Kristopher Marshall (born 1 April 1973) is an English actor. He has played Nick Harper in ''My Family'', Colin Frissell in the 2003 film ''Love Actually'', Gratiano in ''The Merchant of Venice'', and ''Murder City'' (2006–2008), and Dave in ...

as Tibor, director of ''Monsters in the Moonlight'' (season 3) * Doug Jones as himself, an actor in ''Monsters in the Moonlight'' (season 3) *

Harrison Page Harrison Page is an American television and film actor who has appeared in many popular series, including ''Sledge Hammer!'', ''Cold Case'', '' JAG'', '' ER'', ''Ally McBeal'', '' Ultraman: The Ultimate Hero'', ''Melrose Place'', ''Quantum Leap'' ...

as Walter, Phil's boyfriend (season 3) * Adam Kulbersh as Murray Fox, Sam's father who appears as a ghost to her and Duke (season 3; guest season 1 & 5) *

Judy Gold Judy Gold (born November 15, 1962) is an American stand-up comedian Stand-up comedy is a performance directed to a live audience, where the performer stands on a stage and delivers humorous and satirical monologues sometimes incorpora ...

as Chaya, one of Sam's friends (seasons 4–5) *

Mario Cantone Mario Cantone (born December 9, 1959) is an American comedian, writer, actor, singer, and television host. He is best known for his numerous stage shows. He played Anthony Marentino in '' Sex and the City'' and Terri in '' Men in Trees'' (2006– ...

as Mal Martone, Sam's new manager (seasons 4–5) *

Rosalind Chao Rosalind Chao (born September 23, 1957) is an American actress. She appeared as Soon-Lee Klinger in the mid-1980s CBS show '' AfterMASH'', Rose Hsu Jordan in the 1993 movie '' The Joy Luck Club'', the recurring character Keiko O'Brien on '' Sta ...

as Caroline, Marion's wife (seasons 4–5)

Notable guest stars

Production and development

Louis CK and Pamela Adlon - Better Things

The pilot was ordered by FX on January 18, 2015. It was written by

and Pamela Adlon, and directed by Louis C.K. The story is semi-autobiographically based on Adlon's life. The pilot was picked up for a 10-episode first season on August 7, 2015. The show is named after the song " Better Things" by

The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in London in 1963 by brothers Ray Davies, Ray and Dave Davies, and Pete Quaife. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British ...

. On September 20, 2016, FX renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on September 14, 2017. In October 2017, FX renewed the series for a third season, which premiered on February 28, 2019, and consisted of 12 episodes, all directed by Adlon. In November 2017, after Louis C.K. confirmed the

sexual misconduct allegations Sex is the trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing organism produces male or female gametes. Sex, SEX or sexual may also refer to: *Sexual intercourse, a sexual activity Arts and entertainment Film and television * ''Sex'' (1920 f ...

against him were true, FX canceled their overall deal with C.K. and his production company, Pig Newton. It was announced that C.K. would have no involvement in future seasons of the series. That month, Adlon fired 3 Arts manager Dave Becky as her manager. Pig Newton and 3 Arts no longer co-produced the series after the Season 2 finale. For the third season, Adlon hired four new writers for the series, Sarah Gubbins, Joe Hortua, Robin Ruzan, and Ira Parker. In March 2019, the series was renewed for a 10-episode fourth season that premiered on March 5, 2020. In May 2020, the series was renewed for a fifth season, which was announced to be its last in October 2021.

Podcast

Adlon launched a podcast titled ''Better Things with Pamela Adlon'' during the show's final season. The goal was to give insight to the creative process behind the show. Constructed as a companion to the final season, it featured guests like

, and

Episodes

Season 1 (2016)

Season 2 (2017)

Season 3 (2019)

Season 4 (2020)

Season 5 (2022)

Reception

Critical response

The series received an overall score of 98% on

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...

and 88% on

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

Pamela Adlon at San Diego Comic-Con 2011 cropped

The first season has a Metacritic score of 80 out of 100 based 32 reviews. Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season a 95% score, with an average rating of 8.2 out of 10 based on 58 critic reviews, with the critical consensus "Pamela Adlon's ''Better Things'' abstains from traditional sitcom sendups and forges a path all its own – in this bawdy, often hilarious and bittersweet ode to the daily highs and lows of being a single mother." The second season has a Metacritic score of 96 out of 100 based on 13 reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 96% approval rating with an average rating of 9.2 out of 10 based on 27 reviews, with the critical consensus "''Better Things'' second season plays even more adroitly to its strengths, weaving confidently between stinging humor, caustic observation, and poignant drama". In his review for ''

Time Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequ ...

'', Daniel D'Addario wrote, "This is a huge leap forward for a show that was already quite strong. Adlon comes as close to a pure auteur as TV gets. That her story is one imbued with both sadness and light makes ''Better Things'' one of television's very best shows—in any genre." ''Better Things'' is ranked as the seventh best TV series of 2017, according to Metacritic's list which tallies "best of" lists from various major TV critics and publications. The third season has a Metacritic score of 94 out of 100 based on 19 reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 9.3 out of 10 based on 37 reviews with the critical consensus, "Pamela Adlon fully asserts her authorial voice over ''Better Things'' in a triumphant third season that examines the exhaustion of motherhood with exhilarating artistry."

Matt Zoller Seitz Matt Zoller Seitz (born December 26, 1968) is an American film and television critic, author and filmmaker. Career Matt Zoller Seitz is editor-at-large at RogerEbert.com, and the television critic for ''New York'' magazine and Vulture.com, as w ...

of ''

Vulture A vulture is a bird of prey that scavenges on carrion. There are 23 extant species of vulture (including condors). Old World vultures include 16 living species native to Europe, Africa, and Asia; New World vultures are restricted to Nort ...

'' wrote, "''Better Things'' is the best the show has ever been." Caroline Framke of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' wrote, "''Better Things'' feels a bit freer to be its most audacious self this season. Making the show under extraordinary pressure has, in the end, allowed Adlon to throw up her hands, say anything she wants, get it all out there and succeed entirely on her own terms." The fourth season has a Metacritic score of 90 out of 100 based on six reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.7 out of 10 based on 22 reviews with the critical consensus, "Sharp and singular, ''Better Things'' just keeps getting better." Dan Fienberg of ''

The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Cinema of the United States, Hollywood film industry, film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade pap ...

'' called the series "still one of the very best things on TV". Ben Travers of '' IndieWire'' gave it an "A" grade and summarized that season 4 is "an experience like nothing else on television". The fifth season has a Metacritic score of 93 out of 100 based on 14 reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.8 out of 10 based on 23 reviews with the critical consensus, "Bittersweet, funny as ever, and brimming with wisdom, ''Better Things''s final sendoff is as good as it gets." Jen Chaney of ''Vulture'' called it "one of the most generous, organic, and beautiful works of the past decade".

Accolades

References

External links