Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw have become the go-to voices for capturing the chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly heartfelt world of 20-somethings in New York. The duo, who met in college and later went viral for their comedic Yale graduation speech (delivered in front of Hillary Clinton), have since written for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and now helm Adults, a sitcom that puts a Gen Z spin on the classic friend-group comedy.
Season 2 of Adults picks up with sharper writing, more confident performances, and a deeper exploration of its core characters—Samir (Malik Elassal), Billie (Lucy Freyer), Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), Issa (Amita Rao), and Anton (Owen Thiele). The season delivers a mix of cringe-worthy humor and genuine warmth, and fans are already buzzing about the shocking finale and the clever prequel episode that kicked off the season.
The Prequel Episode: A New Beginning
One of the most talked-about aspects of Season 2 is its prequel episode, which is listed as the first episode of the season on Hulu. The episode serves as a sort of new pilot, showing how the friend group first came together. Shaw explained that the decision was twofold: to reward longtime fans who wanted to see the group's origins, and to welcome new viewers by introducing the fifth member of the group in a fresh way.
Kronengold added that the prequel was designed to deliver a "double meet-cute," setting up both the eventual romance between Issa and Paul Baker and the budding friendship (or more) between Paul Baker and Anton. "We had it in our heads, 'What if we pulled off a double meet-cute?'" he said. "It was a cool opportunity to give viewers that a few weeks before coming into Season 2, where Issa and Paul Baker’s relationship is going to fall apart, and the Anton/Paul Baker relationship is going to blossom."
The Marathon Episode: A New York Classic
The prequel centers on Paul Baker running the New York City Marathon, a storyline that Kronengold and Shaw had been itching to tell since Season 1. "It feels like such an iconically New York experience," Shaw said. The idea came from a real-life experience: the couple once waited for a friend at the marathon finish line, expecting to see triumphant athletes, but instead witnessed a runner cramped up and vomiting. "That was why we always wanted to do a marathon episode," Kronengold said. "You never see the person who’s collapsing in the restaurant afterwards."
The episode also allowed the writers to explore the group through Paul Baker's eyes, highlighting both their ridiculousness and their deep loyalty to one another. "We really wanted to watch what it feels like to be a newcomer in this friend group and see the delusional ridiculousness of the way that they interact with each other, but more than anything, the way that they really love each other and stand up for each other," Shaw explained.
Season 2's Biggest Shocks and Guest Stars
Season 2 didn't shy away from big moments, including Issa and Paul Baker's mid-season breakup and the shocking finale hookup between Samir and Billie. Kronengold and Shaw were tight-lipped about what's next for the couples, but they teased that a potential Season 3 would continue to explore the evolving dynamics of the group.
The season also featured some memorable cameos and guest stars, which the creators used to both subvert and pay tribute to sitcoms that came before. While they didn't reveal specific names, they hinted that the guest stars were chosen to add layers to the story and to surprise audiences.
What's Next for 'Adults'?
As for a potential Season 3, Kronengold and Shaw are hopeful but cautious. "We have ideas," Shaw said, without giving too much away. "We're just so proud of what we've done so far, and we're excited to see how fans react to Season 2."
For fans of the show, the wait for more Adults might be tough, but the creators' passion for the characters and their world is undeniable. As they continue to navigate the ups and downs of friendship, love, and life in New York, one thing is certain: Adults is a comedy that knows how to balance laughs with heart.
For more on the latest in TV and streaming, check out our coverage of The Westies showrunners on Season 2 plans and Kit Harington teasing the final season of Industry.
