Uncoupled Review: NPH in NYC

Neil Patrick Harris as Michael in Uncoupled
Neil Patrick Harris as Michael in Uncoupled
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Uncoupled is the latest starring vehicle for Neil Patrick Harris, his second on Netflix after playing Count Olaf in A Series of Unfortunate Events. This series has more in common with How I Met Your Mother in terms of relationships and dating, but Harris’ character Michael is very different from Barney. Michael wants to stay in his relationship with his partner of 17 years, Colin (played by Tuc Watkins), after being blindsided by breaking up and Colin moving out unexpectedly. Michael has to navigate being single now and the modern dating world after being in a relationship for so many years.

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Uncoupled Review

Uncoupled. (L to R) Brooks Ashmanskas as Stanley James, Neil Patrick Harris as Michael Lawson, Emerson Brooks as Billy Jackson in episode 101 of Uncoupled. Cr. Sarah Shatz/Netflix © 2022
Uncoupled. (L to R) Brooks Ashmanskas as Stanley James, Neil Patrick Harris as Michael Lawson, Emerson Brooks as Billy Jackson in episode 101 of Uncoupled. Cr. Sarah Shatz/Netflix © 2022

Neil Patrick Harris does a great job in the leading role of this series, as well as being an executive producer. Michael goes through a lot emotionally through the series, and it’s many things that people in failed relationships have gone through; it’s instantly relatable, plus Harris brings his usual charm to the role. It’s also wonderful to see Tisha Campbell in a series again; she is fantastic as well and she and Harris have great chemistry as realtor partners/friends.

Uncoupled. (L to R) Neil Patrick Harris as Michael Lawson, Tisha Campbell as Suzanne Prentiss in episode 101 of Uncoupled. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022
Uncoupled. (L to R) Neil Patrick Harris as Michael Lawson, Tisha Campbell as Suzanne Prentiss in episode 101 of Uncoupled. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2022

Neil Patrick Harris also has great chemistry with Brooks Ashmanskas and Emerson Brooks; they play Michael’s friends Stanley and Billy who help Michael as he’s dealing with his breakup and navigating the modern dating scene. Between the two, my personal favorite was Brooks Ashmanskas. Stanley gives off a Nathan Lane in The Birdcage vibe, which is a fantastic vibe to give off I think. Billy gets some character growth by the end of the season, but for most of the series he’s there as an older gay man hanging onto his youth.

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Marcia Gay Harden has a nice recurring role as Claire, who is going through the same thing Michael is and becomes a client looking to sell her apartment. And for the Broadway lovers out there, Tony Award winner André De Shields has a recurring role as Jack, a older gay man who lives in Michael’s building and is able to give him some guidance. Tuc Watkins does a good job with what he’s given as Colin, and hopefully with the way the season ends he will get more to do in a potential Season 2.

Uncoupled. Marcia Gay Harden as Claire Lewis in episode 101 of Uncoupled. Cr. Sarah Shatz/Netflix © 2022
Uncoupled. Marcia Gay Harden as Claire Lewis in episode 101 of Uncoupled. Cr. Sarah Shatz/Netflix © 2022

Overall, I would recommend watching Uncoupled if you’re a fan of Neil Patrick Harris and NYC shows in general. It’s nice to see a series that follows older gay men dating as opposed to what we usually see. It’s a quick comedy watch that you can binge watch, which I would recommend doing with this show. It arrives on Netflix this Friday, so check it out this weekend!

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Written by Elliott Wishnefsky

Articles Published: 89

Elliott Wishnefsky is a Film/TV Critic for FandomWire and a member of the Critics Choice Association. He's a graduate of Millersville University with a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. Elliott is also a content creator for his own brand, Learning at the Movies! Twitter: @Learning_Movies | Facebook/Instagram: @learningatthemovies | TikTok: @learningatthemovies