Mo (TV series)

Mo
Promotional poster for the first season
GenreComedy drama
Created by
Starring
ComposersCommon
Karriem Riggins
Patrick Warren
Country of originUnited States
Original languages
  • English
  • Arabic
  • Spanish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Running time23–31 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseAugust 24, 2022 (2022-08-24) –
present

Mo is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on August 24, 2022 on Netflix. The series stars Mo Amer as the titular character. The series is loosely based on Amer's own life as a Palestinian refugee living in Houston, Texas. It is co-created by Ramy Youssef and also stars Farah Bsieso, Teresa Ruiz and Tobe Nwigwe.

In January 2023, Netflix renewed the series for a second and final season.[1]

Premise

Mo follows a Palestinian refugee living in Houston, Texas, who is currently seeking asylum and citizenship in the United States.[2]

Cast and characters

Main

  • Mo Amer as Mohammed "Mo" Najjar, the protagonist
  • Teresa Ruiz as Maria, Mo's girlfriend
  • Farah Bsieso as Yusra Najjar, Mo's mother
  • Tobe Nwigwe as Nick, Mo's childhood friend
  • Michael Y. Kim as Chien, Mo's tattooist and lean dealer
  • Lee Eddy as Lizzie Horowitz, the Najjars' immigration lawyer
  • Cherien Dabis as Nadia Robinson (née Najjar), Mo's sister
    • Mariah Albishah as young Nadia Najjar
  • Omar Elba as Sameer Najjar, Mo's brother
    • Ahmad Rajeh as young Mohammed "Mo" Najjar

Guest

Episodes

Series overview
SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
18August 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)

Season 1 (2022)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Hamoodi"Solvan "Slick" NaimMohammed Amer & Ramy YoussefAugust 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
22"Yamo"Solvan "Slick" NaimAdel KamalAugust 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
33"Remorse"Solvan "Slick" NaimLuvh Rahke and Azhar UsmanAugust 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
44"Moola"Solvan "Slick" NaimHarris DanowAugust 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
55"Tombstone"Solvan "Slick" NaimNichole Beattie and Sophia LearAugust 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
66"Holy Matrimony"Solvan "Slick" NaimLuvh Rahke and Harris DanowAugust 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
77"Testimony"Solvan "Slick" NaimTeleplay by : Adel Kamal
Story by : Adel Kamal and Iturri Sosa		August 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)
88"Vamos"Solvan "Slick" NaimMohammed Amer & Sophia LearAugust 24, 2022 (2022-08-24)

Reception

Critical response

As of June 2024 Mo holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[5]

The series has received critical acclaim for being one of the first major American television shows to portray a Palestinian-American refugee as the protagonist as well as highlighting the growing ethnic diversity of Houston.[6][7][8][9][10]

Accolades

Accolades received by Mo
Award Year Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Gotham Awards 2022 Breakthrough Series (Under 40 Minutes) Mo Won [11]
Independent Spirit Awards 2023 Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series Mohammed Amer Nominated [12]
Peabody Awards 2022 Entertainment Mo Won [13]

References

  1. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 12, 2023). "'Mo' Renewed For Second & Final Season By Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  2. ^ "Netflix's 'Mo' Brings Laughs and Empathy to a Palestinian Experience TV Rarely Acknowledges: TV Review". Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  3. ^ "Houston oozes through the screen in Mo Amer's new Netflix series". August 24, 2022.
  4. ^ "Bun B, Tobe Nwigwe, Teresa Ruiz join Mo Amer as he introduces series to Houston".
  5. ^ "Mo". Rotten Tomatoes. August 24, 2022. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "Mohammed Amer's new series explores the tragedy and comedy in the refugee experience". Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "Hollywood puts 'no face' on the Palestinian experience. Mo Amer plans to change that". Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  8. ^ "How the Netflix Series Mo Balances Side-Splitting Laughs With Heartfelt Drama". Retrieved August 27, 2022.
  9. ^ "We had to show that the immigration system is a mess': how Mo Amer's refugee status led to comedy gold". Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  10. ^ "Netflix's Mo Keeps the Faith For Insightful Muslim-American Stories". Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  11. ^ "'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Wins Best Feature at Gotham Awards". Variety. November 28, 2022.
  12. ^ "Film Independent Spirit Award TV Nominations: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'The Bear,' 'Severance,' 'Station Eleven' Lead". The Hollywood Reporter. December 13, 2022.
  13. ^ "Peabody Awards: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'Andor,' 'Severance' and 'We're Here' Among Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. May 9, 2023.