If you’ve watched the first season of Deli Boys, you know it was wild and hilarious. If you haven’t, what are you waiting for? With a few days left to binge the 10-episode season, I hope you do, because season two is just as crazy and comedic.
The new season resumes where the first ended, with brothers Mir (Asif Ali) and Raj (Saagar Shaikh) embracing the true family business. What they assumed were ordinary convenience store chains were actually a front for organized crime. Now, the brothers are deeply embedded in the operation, backed by Lucky’s (Poorna Jagannathan) expertise and badassery, and they have become notorious players in Philly. However, as their influence grows, so do their adversaries. This pushes the Dar family to seek support from casino owner Max Sugar (Fred Armisen), forging a new alliance.
As always, the comedy of Deli Boys makes for some of the show’s best moments. The series consistently delivers sharp comedy as one of its greatest strengths. Creator Abdullah Saeed crafts a world that seamlessly fuses sharp humour with relatable family chaos. Every episode is energetic, and while the hilarious moments are memorable, the nuanced family dynamics keep you coming back for more.
The cast is pitch-perfect, each bringing something special to not just their characters but to the show as a whole. Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh are hilarious as hell in their respective roles of Mir and Raj. Their chemistry together is tremendous. From their banter to the typical roles you’d expect between an older and younger brother, it’s easy to believe the pair are siblings. With impeccable comedic timing, Ali and Shaikh often steal the show.
Of course, Ali and Shaikh aren’t alone in their comedic endeavours. Poorna Jagannathan as Lucky is a highlight of the show. This season, we get to learn a bit more about Lucky and her motivations, along with a lot more ass-kicking. Seeing Jagannathan take on a more prominent role in season two worked wonders for the story. It’s not just Mir and Raj who can be a bit messy, and it made for an interesting storyline to see Lucky, who in the first season had everything together and under control. This time, we see a little of the messiness that Lucky gets into, and Jagannathan plays it perfectly.
Season two introduces Fred Armisen as Max Sugar and Kumail Nanjiani as Danyal, an attorney. Initially, Max appears unthreatening, but his actions soon reveal his menace. Armisen skillfully balances Max’s affable and formidable sides, infusing his scenes with humour. Nanjiani’s Danyal heightens the chaos, and his involvement in freeing Raj from prison, combined with his past with Lucky, fuels tension between Max, Lucky, and himself. The resulting turmoil is among this year’s funniest TV.
The first season was one of last year’s most pleasant surprises, and I am happy to say that season two delivers the goods once again. Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud or a heartfelt moment, Deli Boys gives viewers a little bit of everything, and it all works extremely well. Sometimes this can be difficult, but it’s very clear that everyone in the writer’s room is completely locked in. The series is one of the best shows on right now.
Just like its first season, season two of Deli Boys is raucous, hilarious, and suspenseful. My only gripe is its brevity: fewer episodes this season than last left me wanting more. That said, I’m extremely excited for what comes next!
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