Deli Boys, the Onyx Collective crime dramedy that became one of the most critically acclaimed series of its run, has been canceled at Hulu after two seasons. The show, which averaged a 98 percent critical approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes across both seasons, was ultimately undone by ratings that never matched its critical reception.
Created by Abdullah Saeed, Deli Boys followed Mir and Raj Dar, played by Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh, a pair of pampered Pakistani American brothers who lose everything after their convenience store-magnate father is killed and are forced to reckon with his secret life of crime as they attempt to take up his mantle in the underworld. Poorna Jagannathan starred as Naveeda “Lucky,” Baba’s confidant and a formidable crime boss auntie. The series was notable for centering South Asian characters both in front of and behind the camera, a rarity in Hollywood, with creator Saeed being Pakistani American and the three lead actors all of South Asian descent.
After low ratings in its first season, Onyx pushed to strengthen the show’s profile with significant casting additions. Fred Armisen joined as a series regular in Season 2, playing Max Sugar, a legendary gambling savant and casino kingpin whose empire becomes central to the Dars’ money laundering operation. Supporting cast additions included Andrew Rannells, Kumail Nanjiani, Lilly Singh, Robin Thede and Tan France. Despite the additions the ratings did not improve enough to justify a third season.
The cancellation leaves the show on an unresolved cliffhanger. At the end of Season 2, just as Mir, Raj and Lucky appeared to have secured their criminal empire, a poisoned pie arrived with a note from someone calling themselves the “eldest Dar,” warning they were coming to claim their piece of Baba’s fortune. The identity of this mysterious sibling was never revealed, with the cast admitting they themselves did not know who it was after filming wrapped. Jagannathan hinted the story could have taken the show to Pakistan and beyond, while Shaikh noted it could have been an older brother, an older sister or someone entirely unexpected.
“What I love about this role is that Lucky has masculinity to her and a fieriness and a physicalness that I’ve never been able to play,” Jagannathan previously told Deadline. “You don’t see women play these types of roles.”
Deli Boys produced a total of 16 episodes across its two seasons. The series was created by Saeed and developed by Jenni Konner and Nora Silver under Jenni Konner Productions, with Michelle Nader serving as showrunner. Both seasons are currently streaming on Hulu.