Friends in the Dark

***Friends in the Dark*** is an American drama television series that follows the lives of a group of friends. The series premiered on NBC on January 28, 2016 and has aired five seasons and 89 episodes. It was renewed for a sixth and final season on February 8, 2020, which is set to premiere in early 2021.

## Premise

*Friends in the Dark* follows the lives of a group of friends, including Marcus Evans, his wife Francesca, sister Annika, her husband Riley, as well as married couple Emma and Hayden, and single friends Aaron and Maya.

## Cast

* Jaimie Alexander as Emma Burton; a singer-songwriter who has given up on her dreams upon learning she is pregnant.
* Nicholas D'Agosto as Hayden Burton; Emma's husband, a writer struggling to provide for his family.
* Yaya DaCosta as Maya Nichols; an Uber driver who begins dating a famed baseball player.
* Wynn Everett as Francesca Evans; Marcus's wife who works from home while raising four children.
* Lauren German as Annika McCallister; Marcus's sister and Riley's wife who is a stay-at-home mother raising a rebellious teenager.
* Brian Hallisay as Aaron Hutch; an aspiring chef who discovers he has an eight-year-old son, who he now must raise.
* Dax Shepard as Marcus Evans; an I.T. worker, Annika's brother, Francesca's husband, and a father of four. (seasons 1-4)
* Brian Tee as Riley McCallister; Annika's husband, a high school basketball coach and father of one.
* Tiffany Espensen as Harper McCallister; Annika and Riley's daughter who attends Portland State University as of season four. (seasons 2-present; recurring season 1)
* Noah Jupe as Ethan Hutch; Aaron's son whom he did not know about until the start of the series. (seasons 2-present; recurring season 1)
* Katherine Langford as Sophia Evans; Marcus and Francesca's eldest daughter, who begins attending Stanford in season three. (season 2; recurring seasons 1, 4-5, guest season 3)
* David Mazouz as Caleb Evans; Marcus and Francesca's younger son, still attending Portland Public High School. (seasons 2-present; recurring season 1)
* Jace Norman as Mason Evans; Marcus and Francesca's older son, who graduates high school in the fourth season finale. (seasons 2-present; recurring season 1)
* Lulu Wilson as Samantha Evans; Marcus and Fracesca's youngest daughter, currently in middle school. (seasons 2-present; recurring season 1)
* Michael Ealy as Andy Jensen; Maya's ex-fiancée. (season 4; recurring season 3)
* Serinda Swan as Lili Simons; Aaron's girlfriend and later wife. (seasons 4-present; recurring season 3)
* Joe Keery as Kyle Evans; Marcus's illegitimate son who reveals himself to the family after Marcus's funeral. (season 5; guest season 4)

## Reception

### **Critical reception**

*Friends in the Dark* has received acclaim from critics. The first season has a 92% approval rating from Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 7.48/10 based on 83 reviews. The second season received a 95% with an average rating of 7.85/10 based on 57 reviews. The third season has a 88%, and a 7.53/10 based on 25 reviews. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 84% for the fourth season, with a 7.26/10 average score, based on 20 reviews. Finally, the most recent fifth season currently has an 85% based on 13 reviews, with an average score of 7.41/10.