About a Boy (2014)
Will Freeman lives a charmed existence as the ultimate man-child. After writing a hit song, he was granted a life of free time, free love and freedom from financial woes. He's single, unemployed and loving it. So imagine his surprise when Fiona, a needy single mom and her oddly charming 11-year-old son, Marcus, move in next door and disrupt his perfect world. When Marcus begins dropping by his home unannounced, Will's not so sure about being a kid's new best friend, until, of course, Will discovers that women find single dads irresistible. That changes everything and a deal is struck: Marcus will pretend to be Will's son and, in return, Marcus is allowed to chill at Will's house. Before he realizes it, Will starts to enjoy the visits and even finds himself looking out for the kid. In fact, this newfound friendship may very well teach him a thing or two that he never imagined possible - about himself and caring for others.
Details
First Air Date
2/22/2014
Last Air Date
7/20/2015
Network
NBC
Rating
6/10 (84 votes)
Status
Canceled
Production Companies
Tribeca Productions, Working Title Television, Universal Television, True Jack Productions
About About a Boy
The series "About a Boy," airing for two seasons, adapts the original novel, focusing on the unexpected bond between a carefree bachelor and a young boy next door. Will Freeman, a man content with a life free of responsibilities, finds his routine disrupted by Fiona and her son, Marcus. The initial premise involves Will using Marcus to appear more appealing to women, leading to a transactional friendship.
Over time, the arrangement evolves beyond its cynical beginnings. Will, initially self-serving, starts to genuinely care for Marcus. The show explores themes of found family and personal growth, as Will, through his interactions with Marcus, confronts his own emotional immaturity. This shift from a purely comedic setup to one with dramatic undertones is central to the series' narrative, aligning with its listed genres of Comedy and Drama.
The series has a 6 out of 10 average score on TMDB from 84 votes and a 7.4/10 on IMDb from over 8,000 votes, indicating a generally positive reception for its take on the source material and its sitcom format. Its cancellation after two seasons suggests it found a dedicated, if not massive, audience interested in its characters' development and the humor derived from their unusual situation.
Why you might be searching for About a Boy
Many people are likely searching for "About a Boy" because they remember the film adaptation or the original book and are curious about the TV series. Common search queries suggest interest in the core premise of an adult male befriending a young boy, often in the context of the boy having lost a parent or needing a father figure, or the adult struggling with aspects of his own life. The dynamic of an unattached man learning responsibility through an unexpected connection with a child is a recurring theme in user searches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about finding and identifying movies
You can stream "About a Boy" on Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Plus, or watch it for free with ads on Xumo Play. It is also available for purchase on platforms like Amazon Video, Fandango At Home, and Apple TV Store.
"About a Boy" is not based on a true story. It is an adaptation of the 1998 novel of the same title by Nick Hornby.
There are two seasons of "About a Boy." The first season had 13 episodes, and the second season had 20 episodes.
"About a Boy" has a 74% average Tomatometer score from critics and an 80% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating generally positive reviews. The show is described as a comedy-drama about a bachelor whose life changes when a single mother and her son move in next door.