The Hangout Show for a New Generation
The ATX TV Festival in Austin, Texas, is known for its intimate look at the television industry, and the 2026 closing panel for FX’s Adults was no exception. Showrunners Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw joined legendary TV critic Alan Sepinwall to discuss the meteoric rise of their breakout hit. For those who haven’t caught up on Hulu yet, Adults is FX’s answer to the classic ensemble sitcom, focusing on a group of twenty-somethings living together in Queens. During the panel, the creators were candid about the pressure of creating a “hangout show” for Gen Z, a genre that has long been dominated by millennial and Gen X touchstones like Friends and How I Met Your Mother.
The Quest for the Perfect Ensemble
One of the most fascinating revelations from the panel was the sheer scale of the casting process. Kronengold and Shaw shared that FX gave them a unique mandate: find fresh faces rather than established stars. This led to the team reviewing an incredible 40,000 audition tapes. To narrow it down, they didn’t just look for acting chops; they looked for “hangout ability.” The creators actually invited friends over to watch tapes, asking a simple question: “Who do we want to hang out with?”
The resulting cast is a diverse mix of talent, including Amitha Gananathan, Lucy Freyer, Malik Elassal, Owen Thiele, and Jack Innanen. A highlight of the panel was the story of Jack Innanen’s first professional audition. While other actors were improvising wildly, Innanen stuck perfectly to the script. It wasn’t until the end that he realized he was allowed to riff. That earnestness, according to the creators, is exactly what makes his character, Paul Baker, work so well.
Real Life Meets Scripted Comedy
The creators emphasized that while the show is a comedy, the characters are deeply rooted in reality. Paul Baker, for instance, was inspired by those friends everyone has who are sweet and hardworking—perhaps even working on something as noble as prison reform—but who somehow manage to leave a trail of accidental heartbreak wherever they go. Shaw noted that the show isn’t trying to be a definitive manifesto for Gen Z. Instead, it’s a specific look at their own friends and the “stupid decisions” they make while trying to navigate early adulthood.
What’s Coming in Season 2
While the creators were careful not to spoil specific plot points, they confirmed that Season 2 will continue to lean into the self-aware nature of the show. The characters themselves are savvy enough to recognize the tropes they are living through, which adds a layer of meta-commentary that sets Adults apart from its predecessors. With a longer episode order expected for the sophomore season, fans can expect more deep dives into the messy, beautiful reality of shared living and evolving friendships.
Our Take: Why Adults is a Must-Watch
At Mickey on Main Street, we love seeing the Disney family of brands (which includes FX) take risks on new voices. Adults has managed to do something very difficult: it feels nostalgic for the golden age of sitcoms while being firmly planted in the modern day. The chemistry between the five leads is the secret sauce here, and knowing the care that went into finding them makes the show even more impressive. If you haven’t started your binge-watch on Hulu yet, now is the time to jump in before Season 2 drops later this year.
Disclaimer: This information is gathered from various online sources and news outlets. While we strive for accuracy, Disney plans and policies can change rapidly. We recommend double-checking official Disney sources for the most up-to-date information before making final travel plans.