You’re going to want to watch every episode of FX’s English Teacher at least twice. Not because the new comedy, created by and starring Brian Jordan Alvarez, is hard to follow; its plotlines don’t stray too far afield from what you might see in other comedies about school teachers. But every scene is so detail-rich, so packed with nuance and tiny jokes, that you might not notice the funniest bits the first time around — but you’ll relish them when you do.
Easily one of the best new shows of the year, English Teacher features Alvarez in the titular role, doing his best to edify an eclectic bunch of students while contending with the political and personal ramifications of being an out gay educator — one who’s not without flaws. In Evan’s corner is his fiercely loyal best friend Gwen (Stephanie Koenig), as well as gleefully politically incorrect gym teacher Markie (Sean Patton).
There have been no shortage of shows about teachers over the years — Abbott Elementary, soon to launch its fourth season, has been a hit for ABC since its premiere. What differentiates these two shows goes beyond superficial details like “high school versus elementary school” and “both are streaming on Hulu” and “English Teacher isn’t broadcast TV, so it can use swears.” The ways in which they’re different instead reflect two wholly unique points of view, proof of how powerful individual voices can be in this space.
The key name to know when it comes to English Teacher executive producer Paul Simms, who in recent years has helped shepherd shows like Girls, Atlanta, and What We do in the Shadows to the screen — recognizing that the creators behind those shows had strong perspectives that would thrive in the context of a TV show. Alvarez has been making digital comedy for years (most notably the critically acclaimed web series The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo), but it was partnering with Simms that brought him to the level of FX.
In the first six episodes of eight, Evan helps the school’s football team get ready for the annual Powderpuff halftime performance, confronts the issue of guns on campus, and makes it weird with the cute new teacher on staff (Langston Kerman). He also spends plenty of time commiserating with Gwen, who has her own dysfunctions and complicated personal life, while still occasionally hooking up with his ex-boyfriend (Jordan Firstman) and trying to take a stand on political matters whenever possible.
The writing is sharp, and as directors, Alvarez as well as Jonathan Krisel (Portlandia) manage to find just the right level of sharp punchlines delivered in a natural fashion. And the chemistry amongst the ensemble really shines — Alvarez and Koenig, having worked together previously on Caleb Gallo, genuinely feel like best friends with a lifetime’s worth of shared memories, while the other eclectic characters pop in their own unique ways: There’s the school principal, played with hilarious exhaustion by Enrico Colantoni, a defeated man just wants to avoid pissing off the parents or the school board.
There’s also comedian Carmen Christopher, who steals many scenes as the school’s quietly scheming guidance counselor, adding to an already impressive resume: He’s previously guest-starred on multiple episodes of renowned comedy The Bear, and his very funny standup special, Carmen Christopher: Live from the Windy City — executive produced by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin — is streaming now on Veeps.
English Teacher also brings a fresh approach to how to handle its student body: There are several recurring characters, with their own ongoing dramas, usually taking place at the edges of the frame, concurrently with the main plotline. (Just one of the many reasons why the show rewards rewatching.) And if you’re the type of person who’s deeply invested in what the children of famous people post on TikTok, you’ll be delighted to learn that Romy Mars makes her TV acting debut as one of said students.
While English Teacher isn’t revolutionary television, it is the kind of show that makes you excited about this medium — specifically the way it can build an entire world out of fascinating characters, all driven by a strong voice with something to say. Maybe it leans a little hard on the ’80s pop tunes (to the point where you might, just for a moment, think that the show is a period piece). But that’s just another touch that makes it feel singular and specific to Alvarez as a creator. It’s rare to see a show that knows exactly what it is with this level of confidence, right from the start. The only thing more exciting than witnessing that is seeing where it goes from here.
The first two episodes of English Teacher are streaming now on Hulu. New episodes premiere Mondays.
