About a Boy
You don't have to be family to be family
Created by Nick Hornby
On NBC
A warm, character-driven comedy-drama about an irresponsible man learning to care through an unlikely friendship with a single mother and her son.
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.
Clusters
Where to watch
Questions people ask
Is About a Boy scary? No. Less frightening than 92% of series.
Is About a Boy violent? Barely. Less violent than 89% of series.
Is About a Boy easy watching? Yes. More comforting than 86% of series.
Does About a Boy leave you hopeful? Yes. More hopeful than 81% of series.
Is About a Boy sad? Not especially. Less sad than 68% of series.
These describe how the series comes across across its whole run, compared with other well-known series. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked episode by episode, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.
Cinnamon Score
How much this series gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.
You have seen this shape before.
How unlike any other series this one feels
How much more it delivers than it promises
How much audiences actually like it
Ensemble
Like About a Boy
Nearest across the full emotional profile.
Same Mood as About a Boy
Nearest on what's most distinctive about this one.
Like About a Boy, But Darker
Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.
Like About a Boy, But Lighter
Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.
Like About a Boy, But Less Popular
Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.
