Adults on FX: Growing Up in Queens, Filmed in Toronto
FX’s newest comedy series, Adults, shines a hilarious and heartfelt light on the trials of early adulthood. Premiering on May 28, 2025, the show follows five friends navigating life, love, careers, and identity—all while packed into one house in Queens, New York.
But here’s the twist: while the series captures the hustle and humor of New York life, it was filmed entirely in Toronto, Canada. This article examines the show’s distinctive setting, its vibrant characters, and how the narrative seamlessly blends emotional depth with comedic charm.
Toronto Doubles as Queens, New York
You might think the series was filmed right in the middle of Queens, with its iconic subway stations and corner bodegas. But everything you see on-screen—from the neighborhood streets to the local dive bars—was captured in Toronto.
The city’s flexible architecture and urban vibe make it a perfect stand-in for New York. Buildings in the Carlaw district easily mimic those of Queens, and event venues like The Pearl were transformed into believable indoor scenes for restaurants, offices, and apartments.
Toronto isn’t just a backdrop. It’s a filmmaking chameleon. The city’s film-friendly laws and cost-effective setup make it a favorite for productions. Viewers familiar with New York might spot the differences, but the attention to detail makes the illusion seamless. For a show about finding your identity in an unfamiliar world, this hidden filming trick is oddly fitting.
Five Friends Under One Roof
At the heart of Adults are five wildly different twenty-somethings living together in one home. Their personalities clash, support, and reshape each other in unexpected ways.
- Samir, played by Malik Elassal, is the group’s unspoken leader. He offers his childhood home in Queens as a shared living space. He’s thoughtful but often lost in thought.
- Billie, played by Lucy Freyer, brings ambition and anxiety to the table. She works in media and tries to keep up with the fast-paced world around her.
- Paul Baker, played by Jack Innanen, is the laid-back optimist who finds joy in small things and brings humor to the group.
- Issa, played by Amita Rao, is fearless, sharp, and direct. She challenges the group to look at life differently.
- Anton, played by Owen Thiele, is charming and emotionally open. He seeks deep meaning in friendships and romance.
These five aren’t just roommates. They’re accidental soulmates trying to figure out how to be real adults. Their journeys are awkward, messy, and oddly beautiful—much like life itself.
Production Timeline: Quick, Clean, and Creative
The road from concept to screen was remarkably smooth. Production began on October 21, 2024, and wrapped by December 3 of the same year. In just over six weeks, the team captured all eight episodes.
Originally titled “Snowflakes,” the project underwent a creative evolution before landing on “Adults.” The final title reflects the show’s honest and often humorous exploration of the ongoing pains and the gap between who we are and who we’re trying to become.
This efficient production timeline speaks to the team’s experience. Despite the tight schedule, the show doesn’t feel rushed. Every scene, line, and camera angle feels carefully chosen to serve the story.
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The People Behind the Comedy
Behind the scenes, the creators of Adults knew precisely what they wanted. Ben Kronengold and Rebecca Shaw built the show from a place of personal experience and observational humor. They’ve written for comedy before, but this show marks a new level of emotional storytelling.
They’re joined by executive producers like Nick Kroll and Stefani Robinson—names known for hit comedies. Their creative fingerprints are all over the series, from its snappy dialogue to its tender moments. This team didn’t just want to make people laugh—they wanted viewers to feel seen.
Fictional Places, Real Emotions
Though Queens is the setting, many parts of the show take place in fictional spots. Billie works at “News Night,” a digital media outlet that mimics real-life newsrooms with tight deadlines and endless coffee. In one episode, she ends up in the fictional “Queensboro Hospital,” sparking a story about vulnerability and support from the group.
These places don’t exist in the real world, but they feel real because they reflect the emotional environments young adults navigate—stressful jobs, unexpected health scares, and the need for connection.
The show doesn’t need actual landmarks to feel true. The creators focus on the emotional landscape of twenty-something life: confusion, ambition, fear, and joy.
A Weekly Dose of Heart and Humor
Adults premiered on FX with a double-episode release and continues airing weekly. For those who prefer to binge, the whole season drops on Hulu the day after each FX airing. This hybrid model gives fans a choice—watch slowly to savor the growth, or binge-watch to feel immersed in the journey.
The eight episodes aren’t just about laughs. They delve into deeper topics, such as financial stress, dating in the digital age, career disappointment, and mental health. Each episode balances comedy with truth, making it more than just a sitcom—it’s a mirror.
Why “Adults” Stands Out in 2025
In 2025, there’s no shortage of coming-of-age shows. But Adults hit differently. It doesn’t glamorize young adult life or reduce it to clichés. Instead, it shows the small moments that feel big: a failed job interview, a shared meal, a midnight heart-to-heart.
The show comes at a time when many viewers are feeling lost, trying to rebuild their lives after years of global uncertainty. Adults remind us that confusion is okay. That growth is slow. And that even when life feels like a mess, it can still be meaningful.
The show’s simple dialogue, subtle performances, and grounded humor make it perfect for viewers who want more than noise. They want the truth with a smile. And Adults deliver that.
Final Words
Adults is a show about the messiness of growing up—and why that’s okay. It’s about five friends who might not have everything figured out, but who always show up for each other. It’s about making mistakes and still finding meaning. And it’s about how cities, jobs, and friendships shape us in ways we don’t always expect.
Even though it’s filmed in Toronto, the heart of the show beats with the rhythm of New York. That contrast—between where we are and where we think we should be—is what makes Adults so relatable. Whether you’re 22 or 42, there’s something in this show that will feel familiar. Because we’re all, in one way or another, just trying to become real adults.
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