The deli is officially closed. The comedy series Deli Boys has been cancelled at Hulu after two seasons. Despite passionate fan support and near-universal critical acclaim, the show could not generate enough audience numbers to justify a third outing.
What Is Deli Boys?
Deli Boys follows Mir and Raj Dar, played by Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh — a pair of pampered Pakistani American brothers who lose everything and are forced to reckon with their Baba’s secret life of crime as they attempt to take up his mantle in the underworld. Poorna Jagannathan stars as Naveeda “Lucky,” Baba’s confidant and a crime boss auntie.
Deli Boys was unique in that it centered South Asian characters, with series creator Abdullah Saeed being Pakistani American and the core three lead actors being of South Asian descent — a rarity in Hollywood in 2026.
Series at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Show Title | Deli Boys |
| Network/Streamer | Hulu (Onyx Collective) |
| Genre | Crime Comedy Drama |
| Created By | Abdullah Saeed |
| Lead Cast | Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, Poorna Jagannathan |
| Production Companies | Onyx Collective, 20th Television, Jenni Konner Productions |
| Season 1 Premiere | March 6, 2025 |
| Season 2 Premiere | May 28, 2026 |
| Total Episodes | 16 (10 in S1, 6 in S2) |
| Status | Canceled |
Why Was Deli Boys Canceled?
The reason for the critically acclaimed show’s cancellation is due to ratings. Deli Boys earned positive reviews for both of its seasons, but the audience for Season 2 fell short of what it needed to continue. Hulu doesn’t regularly release data for its shows, and Deli Boys never appeared in Nielsen’s top 10 streaming rankings.
The series was a priority for Onyx Collective, which pushed for the addition of a new series regular and supporting cast to help attract new viewers. Following the casting of Fred Armisen in the series regular role, the show was renewed for a second season. The second season saw a number of guest stars appear in the show to try to improve viewership numbers, but it sadly didn’t work.
Season-by-Season Breakdown
| Season | Premiere Date | Episodes | Format | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | March 6, 2025 | 10 | Weekly | 96% |
| Season 2 | May 28, 2026 | 6 | Binge Release | 98% (overall avg.) |
Cast: Seasons 1 and 2
The series starred Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh, and Poorna Jagannathan. Season 2 brought in a wave of high-profile new faces to bolster the show’s reach.
Saturday Night Live alum Fred Armisen joined the cast as a series regular for Season 2, with Andrew Rannells appearing in a supporting role. Kumail Nanjiani, Lilly Singh, and Robin Thede guest-starred in Season 2, while Queer Eye‘s Tan France returned.
In Season 2, Armisen played Max Sugar, a legendary gambling savant with an uncanny ability to read people like cards in the half-hour series. His casino empire is global, but his crown jewel is in Philly.
Cast Overview
| Actor | Character | Role Type |
|---|---|---|
| Asif Ali | Mir Dar | Series Lead |
| Saagar Shaikh | Raj Dar | Series Lead |
| Poorna Jagannathan | Naveeda “Lucky” | Series Regular |
| Fred Armisen | Max Sugar | Season 2 Series Regular |
| Andrew Rannells | — | Season 2 Supporting |
| Kumail Nanjiani | — | Season 2 Guest |
| Lilly Singh | — | Season 2 Guest |
| Robin Thede | — | Season 2 Guest |
| Tan France | — | Season 2 Returning Guest |
Behind the Scenes
Abdullah Saeed created Deli Boys, which was developed by Jenni Konner and Nora Silver under Jenni Konner Productions. Michelle Nader served as showrunner and was an executive producer alongside Saeed, Konner, and Silver. The series hailed from Onyx Collective and was produced by 20th Television.
Critical Reception: A Classic Case of Critics vs. Audiences
The show was popular with critics, with the two seasons averaging a 98% critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It failed to find a wide enough audience, however, to justify a third season.
Saagar Shaikh and Poorna Jagannathan received acting nominations at the 2025 Gotham TV Awards for their work on the show.
Despite the cancellation, both seasons of Deli Boys are available to stream on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ in the United States, and on Disney+ internationally.
A Historic Show Ahead of Its Time
The comedy series was unique for the streamer, centering on South Asian characters. Deli Boys featured South Asian representation both in front of and behind the camera. Its cancellation has disappointed many who saw the show as a groundbreaking step forward for South Asian storytelling in mainstream American television.
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