Casual

:

Season 1
  • Network: HULU
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 7, 2015
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 69 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 69
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 69
  3. Negative: 6 out of 69
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Expand

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. MaraStak
    Jun 28, 2016
    4
    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 actress but the combination proves a vacuum of personality or joy. It also stuns me that HollywoodI 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. rachiebabie
    Nov 30, 2015
    0
    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.
  3. talonps1
    Nov 11, 2015
    2
    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 on camera...yeahhhh'. I watched 4 episodes and will never watch another.
  4. dogerwaul
    Nov 11, 2015
    8
    Hulu's first great show? Two episodes in, and I'm hooked. Interesting dialogue, unconventional family life, and a realistic approach to modern cynicism and dating. This isn't a knee-slapper comedy. The humor is more subtle, and when the jokes land you may only chuckle, but the character interactions make up for the lack of hilarity. I look forward to the rest of the series. If things goHulu's first great show? Two episodes in, and I'm hooked. Interesting dialogue, unconventional family life, and a realistic approach to modern cynicism and dating. This isn't a knee-slapper comedy. The humor is more subtle, and when the jokes land you may only chuckle, but the character interactions make up for the lack of hilarity. I look forward to the rest of the series. If things go downhill I will edit my review to reflect that.… Expand
  5. reactionfilms
    Nov 28, 2015
    9
    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, one night stands and cheap sex. I do not think that the show exploits language and nudity just to getA 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
  6. Azny97
    Nov 6, 2015
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Im sorry. I watched it for 10 minutes and its absolute crap. You see, im more of "what its about" type of person rather than a "whos in it" and "how great they did" kind of person. To me all i see is an inappropriate relationship amongst family members. Its kind of disturbing if you ask me. An uncle watching his niece have sex? A brother and sister who are way too involved in each others sex life?
    Oh, and did i mention the niece/daughter is comfortable having sex around the mother and uncle? Is this supposed to be funny? Rubbish. Gave my tv syphilis.    … Expand
  7. Kev5683
    Jul 4, 2016
    10
    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 only ever seen her in more goofy and solely comedic roles before. Love the mother/daughter scenes betweenI 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
  8. Knighthawk81
    Oct 12, 2015
    5
    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 there was none to be had.
  9. words2theweiser
    Aug 2, 2016
    9
    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 some depth, so there is no big broad humor or heavy melodrama( at least not yet). Over time the the    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 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

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Best TV Season of 2015
3
#3 Most Shared TV Season of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Vox.com
    Reviewed by: Emily VanDerWerff
    Oct 9, 2015
    80
    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
  2. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Liz Shannon Miller
    Oct 7, 2015
    75
    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
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Oct 7, 2015
    80
    Valerie and Alex are both oblivious and self-involved, but they also love each other, and Watkins and Dewey save them from stereotype with strong sibling chemistry and a surprisingly natural inclination for truth. This emerges slowly, in bits and pieces, often camouflaged by one-liners and set pieces (adjacent blind dates! the first one-night stand! Mom comes to town!), but it is truth nonetheless, hilarious, heartbreaking and miraculously resilient.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »