Lucky Hank season 1 review: A relatable slice of life narrative

Lucky Hank, the latest American black comedy television series, has finally arrived on our screens. Developed by Paul Lieberstein and Aaron Zelman, the show is based on the critically acclaimed 1997 novel, Straight Man by Richard Russo.

Featuring the talented Bob Odenkirk in the lead role, the series made its debut on March 19, 2023, on AMC. With its unique blend of humor and human drama, Lucky Hank promises to be an engaging and entertaining watch for viewers.

The plot of Lucky Hank

Lucky Hank follows the life of Hank Devereaux, an English Department Chairman at a small Pennsylvania college, who is going through a midlife crisis. In the series, Hank must navigate through the challenges of his personal and professional life.

This includes dealing with Machiavellian colleagues, bureaucratic hurdles and hostile students. His marriage to his wife Lily is also strained but she has learned to cope with his quirks.

The show is a black comedy that offers a relatable slice-of-life narrative and delves into the human drama that comes with facing a midlife crisis. Despite its offbeat chaos, Hank manages to find some humor in the strange situations he encounters, making the show both engaging and entertaining.

Cast of Lucky Hank

Lucky Hank, features a star-studded cast of talented actors who bring their A-game to the screen. Here’s a closer look at the cast of Lucky Hank:

• Bob Odenkirk as William Henry “Hank” Devereaux, Jr: Odenkirk plays the lead role of Hank Devereaux, a middle-aged English Department Chairman at a small, underfunded Pennsylvania college. Odenkirk is best known for his role as the iconic Saul Goodman in the hit series Breaking Bad and its spinoff Better Call Saul. With his exceptional acting skills, he seamlessly portrays Hank’s character, who is battling with midlife crises and personal demons.
• Mireille Enos as Lily Devereaux: Enos plays the role of Lily Devereaux, Hank’s wife, who is resigned to living in a small town and has learned to cope with her husband’s eccentricities. Enos is best known for her role as Sarah Linden in the crime drama series The Killing. With her natural acting ability, she delivers a standout performance and shares a palpable on-screen chemistry with Odenkirk.
• Cedric Yarbrough as Paul Rourke: Yarbrough plays the role of Paul Rourke, a professor in the English department and one of Hank’s colleagues. Yarbrough is an American comedian and actor known for his work on the Comedy Central series Reno 911! and as Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation in the hit NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation. With his comedic timing, Yarbrough delivers a hilarious performance in Lucky Hank.
• Diedrich Bader as Tony Conigula: Bader plays the role of Tony Conigula, a professor in the English Department and another one of Hank’s colleagues. Bader is an American actor and comedian known for his roles in the TV series The Drew Carey Show and the movie Napoleon Dynamite. With his natural comedic ability, Bader adds an extra layer of humor to the show.
• Olivia Scott Welch as Julie Devereaux: Welch plays the role of Julie Devereaux, Hank and Lily’s daughter. Welch is an up-and-coming American actress known for her roles in the horror movie Fear Street and the Netflix series The Chair. In Lucky Hank, she delivers a powerful performance as a young woman struggling to navigate her own issues while dealing with her father’s problems.
• Sara Amini as Meg Quigley: Amini plays the role of Meg Quigley, a student in Hank’s creative writing workshop. Amini is an American actress and writer known for her roles in the TV series Single Parents and the movie LA Times. With her exceptional acting skills, Amini adds depth and complexity to her character.
• Suzanne Cryer as Gracie DuBois: Cryer plays the role of Gracie DuBois, another one of Hank’s colleagues in the English Department. Cryer is an American actress known for her roles in the TV series Silicon Valley and the movie Two Weeks Notice. With her natural acting ability, Cryer brings a unique energy to the show.

Lucky Hank boasts an incredibly talented star cast that elevates the show’s already fantastic writing and storyline. With their exceptional acting skills and natural comedic timing, the actors bring their characters to life and make the show a must-watch for fans of black comedy.

Review of Lucky Hank season 1

Lucky Hank season 1 is a captivating comedy-drama series that revolves around the character of Hank Jr. The series opens with Hank Jr. attending a workshop with his students, where he loses his temper and goes on a rant against the college and its students.

Odenkirk’s performance in the series is outstanding, as he effortlessly portrays a character with massive insecurity, facing a severe mid-life crisis with little motivation to perform his job. The series explores mid-life crises from various perspectives, making it relatable to a wider audience.

Enos also delivers an exceptional performance as Lily, Hank’s wife, providing excellent support to Bob’s character where the two share a palpable on-screen chemistry. Director Peter Farrelly does an excellent job behind the camera, offering a relatable slice-of-life narrative with a balance between humor and human drama.

Overall, Lucky Hank season 1 is a must-watch for fans of comedy-dramas.

What are your thoughts about Lucky Hank? Share your answers in the comments below, we’d love to read them!

Lucky Hank is available on AMC.