About a Boy

Will Freeman lives a charmed existence as the ultimate man-child. After writing a hit song, he was granted a life of free time, free love and freedom from financial woes. He's single, unemployed and loving it. So imagine his surprise when Fiona, a needy single mom and her oddly charming 11-year-old son, Marcus, move in next door and disrupt his perfect world. When Marcus begins dropping by his home unannounced, Will's not so sure about being a kid's new best friend, until, of course, Will discovers that women find single dads irresistible. That changes everything and a deal is struck: Marcus will pretend to be Will's son and, in return, Marcus is allowed to chill at Will's house. Before he realizes it, Will starts to enjoy the visits and even finds himself looking out for the kid. In fact, this newfound friendship may very well teach him a thing or two that he never imagined possible - about himself and caring for others.

About a Boy (2014-2015) is a United States and British co-produced network sitcom created by Nick Hornby for NBC, adapted from his novel. David Walton plays Will, a carefree, unemployed bachelor who lives off the royalties of a hit song and spends his days chasing women. His peaceful life is upended when Fiona, a needy single mother played by Minnie Driver, moves in next door with her odd, precocious eleven-year-old son Marcus, played by Benjamin Stockham. The engine of the show is a bargain: Marcus agrees to pose as Will's son, which makes Will irresistible to women, in exchange for being allowed to hang out at Will's house. Each episode is a small domestic comedy built from these awkward visits, dating misadventures and the friendships forming around the hallway between the apartments, with Al Madrigal and Annie Mumolo as supporting friends. Over two seasons the arrangement gradually shifts from a convenient scheme into something close to a found family. The tone is breezy, gently sincere and warmly comic, with light sitcom rhythms and a sweet undercurrent about caring for others. Fans of Mike and Molly, Full House and Ted Lasso will find the same comfort in a lovable misfit learning to grow up.

Audience reception is positive, praising the warm chemistry between the leads and the light, heartfelt take on an adult learning to care for a child.

• Mike & Mollyshared light sitcom warmth and an unlikely adult-child bond
• Son of Zornshared man-child lead learning responsibility through an unexpected family-like bond
• Ted Lassoshared feel-good comedy about an emotionally immature man changed by a child
• Full Houseshared single-parent households and gentle comedy of found family

Created by

Nick Hornby

Release Date

2014-02-22

Episode runtime

22 min

Rating

7.4 / 10 (94)

What is About a Boy about?

A carefree bachelor reluctantly becomes a surrogate father figure to a lonely boy and his single mother next door.

What is About a Boy like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of About a Boy as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is About a Boy violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in About a Boy.

What did critics think of About a Boy?

Audience reception is positive, praising the warm chemistry between the leads and the light, heartfelt take on an adult learning to care for a child.

Which shows are like About a Boy?

Shows with a similar feel include Mike & Molly, Son of Zorn, Ted Lasso, and Full House.

How long is About a Boy?

About a Boy: 2 seasons, 33 episodes.

Is About a Boy still running?

No, About a Boy was canceled.

Where can I watch About a Boy?

In United States, About a Boy streams on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus.