Ted Danson Loves That His New Show Explores Aging: 'Sometimes We're Afraid to Talk About [It]' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Lilah Richcreek, Kerry O’Malley and Ted Danson in ‘A Man on the Inside’.Photo:Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

Ted Dansonhas taken on a lot of roles in his career, but his latest one holds some special significance.

Speaking to PEOPLE about his new role in this week’s issue, Danson says it was something he couldn’t resist taking on, especially since as he found himself relating to many of the show’s themes.

“My favorite kind of comedy has serious overtones, and in this case, it’s a very funny premise,” he tells PEOPLE of the series, which was based on Maite Alberdi’s 2020 documentaryThe Mole Agent.“There’s something inherently funny about a 76-year-old man who is a [retired] college professor, his life shut down, his daughter’s worried, so she says, ‘Get a project,’ and he happens to whimsically find a project where he becomes an undercover spy in a retirement home.”

Ted Danson in ‘A Man on the Inside’.Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix

Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix

“We get to explore aging, all those things that, in this country, sometimes we’re afraid to talk about, memory loss, everything, we broach with a tenderness and a seriousness still contained in a kind of light-hearted, joyful way,” theCheersstar continues. “I’m so happy because I’m 76 and I get to be part of this conversation, which is becoming more and more of my conversation in life.”

As a father to four adult children — Danson shares daughters Kate and Alexis with ex-wife Casey Coates and is a stepdad to wifeMary Steenburgen’s kids Lilly and Charlie — Danson says he could also “recognize myself” in Charles from a parental perspective.

Ted Danson as Charles and Mary Elizabeth Ellis as his daughter Emily in ‘A Man on the Inside’.Courtesy of Netflix

“He decides [for her],” he adds. “I’ve done this with Mary. She often says, ‘No, you need to tell me everything and let me choose how to react to it.’ Because Charles decides to protect his daughter from this sadness and pain that he’s going through, which cuts her out completely from being able to be part of his life. It’s really beautiful storytelling. I’m so happy to be part of this.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The topic of aging and parenthood wasn’t the only thing that drew Danson to the eight-episode project. The fact that he’d also get to reunite withThe Good Placeshowrunner,Michael Schur, who created and executive produced this series, was also a major draw.

“In my case, you get to follow Mike Schur’s beautiful words and pretty much just react to the amazing actors that he’s hired, and your job becomes more and more easy,” says Danson, who starred asMichael onThe Good Place. “But I did love the conversation we had, which is life doesn’t end until it ends, so keep going.”

Stephen McKinley Henderson as Calbert (left) and Ted Danson as Charles in ‘A Man on the Inside’.Colleen E. Hayes/Netflix

“And for us people, my age and older, you still have something to contribute hugely,” Danson adds. “So get out there and keep going, and the way you engage life right up until the end is an inspiration to those younger people behind that are coming up and your children. Because a lot of times people think there’s a shelf life to creativity and contributing to life. There isn’t. That’s self-imposed.”

For more on Ted Danson, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday, or subscribehere.

A Man on the Insideis now streaming on Netflix.

source: people.com