Apple TV’s 2-Part Crime Drama Is Jon Hamm’s Best Show Since Mad Men

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As a big fan of quality TV, I’m really excited about Jon Hamm’s new Apple TV crime drama. It’s his first time leading a television series since Mad Men wrapped up back in 2015, and it’s great to see him back in that kind of central, dramatic role. I remember when he was first starting out – he had a bunch of smaller parts in the ’90s and early 2000s, and you could just tell he had serious talent. Of course, everything changed when he landed the role of Don Draper in Mad Men back in 2007 – that’s when he really broke through.

Jon Hamm is best known for playing his iconic role over seven seasons and 92 episodes, a part he portrayed for eight years. While he’s made some unexpected career choices, his new show, Your Friends and Neighbors, brings him back to serious dramatic television, and it’s arguably one of his strongest performances to date.

Your Friends and Neighbors Gives Jon Hamm the Chance to Do What He’s Best At

Many of his roles since May 2015 have relied on exaggerated characters or featured him only as a voice actor. However, he’s demonstrated his serious acting abilities in critically praised shows like Black Mirror, Bad Times at the El Royale, The Morning Show, and Fargo. His new show, Your Friends and Neighbors, is a return to a more subtle, character-driven performance where he takes center stage.

The black comedy crime drama Your Friends and Neighbors, created by Jonathan Tropper (known for Warrior and The Adam Project), debuted on Apple TV (formerly Apple TV+) in April 2025. The series stars Jon Hamm as Andrew Cooper, a well-off man who starts stealing from his rich friends and neighbors after losing his job and going through a difficult divorce. It received further praise after its premiere on April 3, 2026.

Since his acclaimed role in Mad Men, Jon Hamm has mostly taken on comedic parts in shows like Archer, Parks and Recreation, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Last Man on Earth, and Good Omens. However, Your Friends and Neighbors allows him to showcase his talent for nuanced, dramatic acting – something he excels at. The film really utilizes his ability to portray subtle emotions and inner conflict.

I’ve always loved Jon Hamm, and he’s consistently delivered amazing performances. But honestly, his latest role feels special – it’s the first time since Mad Men that he’s really gotten to show off that charming, witty, and subtly serious side of himself. It’s been over ten years, and it’s fantastic to see him embracing those skills again! It really elevates the whole show, in my opinion.

Your Friends and Neighbors Is the Perfect Follow-Up to Mad Men

Jon Hamm’s performance in Your Friends and Neighbors – where he plays a wealthy, sophisticated, and often absurd character – is naturally being compared to his iconic role in Mad Men. Both Don Draper and Andrew “Coop” Cooper share similarities, though Coop seems to have even less control over his circumstances than Draper, who relies on charm and manipulation. Your Friends and Neighbors gives Hamm the chance to play another compelling, flawed character.

Jon Hamm’s career since Mad Men has been marked by a desire to avoid being typecast, though it’s possible he should have focused on this from the beginning. Mad Men was a pioneer of the current era of high-quality television, alongside shows like Breaking Bad and The Wire. Now, Your Friends and Neighbors might indicate the start of a new wave of compelling drama, particularly in how…

Since Mad Men concluded ten years ago, Jon Hamm has mostly appeared in brief or minor roles. His new series, Your Friends and Neighbors, gives him a leading role again, naturally leading to comparisons with his iconic work on Mad Men. Currently in its second season, Your Friends and Neighbors has the potential to become as well-known as Mad Men and significantly boost Jon Hamm’s profile.

Both Mad Men and Your Friends and Neighbors offer a critical look at the lives of privileged people – Mad Men focused on advertising executives in Manhattan, while Your Friends and Neighbors explores the wealthy elite in upstate New York. What makes Your Friends and Neighbors, an Apple TV+ series, particularly interesting is seeing Jon Hamm, a well-known actor, back in a complex and dramatic role. The show is both funny and suspenseful, capturing the appeal of Mad Men while also offering a unique and modern perspective.

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2026-04-23 13:07