Mindy Kaling has drawn inspiration from her own experiences to craft her latest comedy series, “Not Suitable for Work.” The show, which premiered recently on Hulu, features a cast of up-and-coming talent including Ella Hunt, Nicholas Duvernay, Will Angus, Avantika Vandanapu, and Jack Martin. Kaling, known for her previous works like “Never Have I Ever,” describes this project as semi-autobiographical, reflecting the struggles and excitement of post-graduate life in New York City.
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In an interview with PEOPLE, Kaling shared her surprise at how vividly she recalls her own transition from Boston to New York at the age of 21. She noted that this period was a particularly challenging time, filled with both ambition and disappointment. “It was a rude awakening,” she said, describing her early twenties as a time filled with the eagerness to make an impact but often finding herself without the necessary avenues to do so.
“Not Suitable for Work” follows the journeys of five young adults navigating the complexities of life in Murray Hill, a vibrant neighbourhood in New York City. The show captures their attempts to balance personal relationships and professional aspirations as they grapple with the reality of adulthood. Kaling regards this series as a continuation of the thematic exploration of her youth. “It’s kind of my third show that I’ve done about my youth,” she remarked, linking it to her previous projects, which focused on her teenage years and college experiences.
Currently a mother of three, Kaling’s own journey in the industry began after she graduated from Dartmouth College. Her degree in playwrighting led her to New York, where she faced a formidable challenge: it took five years after her graduation before she secured her iconic role as a writer and eventually a star on the hit series “The Office.” This experience clearly informs her writing, as she conveys the duality of ambition and opportunity in her storytelling.
Reflecting on her early adulthood, Kaling recounted a sense of vitality and potential, mingled with feelings of isolation and limitation. She expressed, “The feeling of having so much to say and thinking I did, and having no access,” which captures the essence of what many young people experience when transitioning to the professional world. Despite its challenges, Kaling remembers her twenties as a time of significant growth, marked by friendships and romantic crushes, both of which she sought to capture in “Not Suitable for Work.”
Having brought to life her coming-of-age trilogy, Kaling is not shutting the door on future projects. Although she does not have any concrete ideas for a new show right now, she mentioned that she is currently reflecting on her experiences during her thirties. “I literally just think of my 30s as going from ‘The Office’ to ‘The Mindy Project,'” she stated, suggesting that there are plenty of stories to tell from that period of her life.
The team behind “Not Suitable for Work” is bustling with creativity, and Kaling is optimistic about what could emerge from her and her colleagues’ shared experiences. “Honestly, between Charlie Grandy, Ike Barinholtz, and Tracey Wigfield, we probably have a lot of fun stories for a show,” she hinted, indicating that further explorations of her life in television could be on the horizon.
The first three episodes of “Not Suitable for Work” are now available to stream on Hulu, with new episodes being released weekly on Tuesdays until June 23. As Kaling continues to share her unique perspective on early adulthood, audiences can expect an engaging blend of humour and relatable themes that resonate with many young adults embarking on their own journeys.