Hulu has renewed the Philly-set comedy Deli Boys for a second season, continuing the misadventures of two brothers who have long imagined their wealth came from a deli empire. When their father dies, they discover the stores were a cover for drug smuggling, and they lose everything in a federal probe—except for one shop in South Philadelphia. The new season picks up as they scramble to keep the ailing business afloat amid escalating stakes and the city’s underbelly.
Season 2 will introduce Fred Armisen as a regular, portraying a legendary gambler with a keen instinct for reading people and a mind that’s both brilliantly sharp and deeply unhinged. He roams the world, but Philadelphia remains his crown jewel.
The project remains under the leadership of creator Abdullah Saeed, a Temple University alum, and showrunner Michelle Nader, who grew up in South Philly. Saeed has described setting the show in Philadelphia as an homage to a city that has long held a warm place in his heart, with the Grays Ferry neighborhood idea sparked by a party during his college years. Nader’s Philadelphia roots help keep the series grounded in its local flavor; her background includes growing up in South Philly, studying at the University of Pennsylvania, and working on comedies like Shifting Gears, Dollface, and Two Broke Girls. She’s also familiar to local viewers for appearing in a Geno’s Steaks ad.
This renewal signals Hulu’s continued investment in regionally flavored stories that lean into authentic city life, blending humor with high-stakes crime caper elements. Fans can look forward to more of the show’s distinctive Philly atmosphere, sharp writing, and a new dynamic-driven cast addition that expands the series’ tonal range.
Summary: Deli Boys returns with more high-stakes, character-driven comedy set against Philadelphia’s unique backdrop, now boosted by Fred Armisen’s presence and a renewed commitment from the creative team behind the show.
Positive note: The addition of Armisen and the strong local roots of the creators suggest a richer, more textured season that could deepen the city’s portrayal while delivering the humor and suspense fans expect.
negative