“What makes it so spectacular is that it has a very strong cultural heartbeat to it”: Poorna Jagannathan, Michelle Nader, Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh on Deli Boys season two

Described by its showrunner as a “crimedy”, Deli Boys is a brutally fun dive into the drug scene in Philadelphia, following two brothers in the wake of their father’s seemingly unforeseen death. As they clumsily navigate through the newfound responsibility of running a drug empire, a series of events leads them under the care of their Lucky Auntie, who aids them on this journey. Amidst grief, frustrating yet highly relatable sibling dynamics, and failed romances, is a violent yet refreshingly humorous exploration of legacy, loyalty, and complex familial ties.

Renewed for a second season, this upcoming instalment of Deli Boys sees further expansion on the fallout of the first series’ finale, with the two brothers diverging in their methods of coping through the new revelations while at the same time carrying out their father’s legacy. The Upcoming caught up with showrunner Michelle Nader, alongside the show’s two leads, Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh – taking on the roles of brothers Mir and Raj. Nader discussed the initial charm of the script that drew her into the show, from her affinity for the character Lucky Auntie, down to its portrayal of crime in Philadelphia. She also hinted at exciting new additions to the cast, including comedy veteran Fred Armisen and other established names.

We spoke with Ali and Shaikh, who commented on their individual character arcs this season: from Mir’s power and money-hungry stance to the Hamlet-esque journey Raj embarks on after the truth behind their father’s death came crashing down on the two brothers last season. They talked at length about the fundamental differences between Mir and Raj that enhance the overall experience of Deli Boys, combining the darker aspects of the crime and the absurdist tone of its comedy.

Finally, we caught up with Poorna Jagannathan, who plays Lucky Auntie, ahead of the second season’s release. She spoke about the appeal of Deli Boys and its success, the inspiration for her performance as Lucky Auntie, cast chemistry, and how the series highlights Pakistani culture.