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Hello Tomorrow!
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Hello Tomorrow!
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Hello Tomorrow!
Promotional poster
Genre
Created by
  • Amit Bhalla
  • Lucas Jansen
Starring
Theme music composerMark Mothersbaugh
ComposerMark Mothersbaugh
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes10
Production
Executive producers
Cinematography
  • Tim Norman
  • Christopher Norr
  • Justin Brown
Running time30–33 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkApple TV+
ReleaseFebruary 17 (2023-02-17) –
April 7, 2023 (2023-04-07)

Hello Tomorrow! is an American science fiction comedy-drama television series that premiered on Apple TV+ on February 17, 2023. It stars Billy Crudup.

Plot

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In a retrofuturistic world, a huckster named Jack Billings runs a small business of traveling salesmen who go door to door (on Earth) selling timeshares on the moon. Jack pays his staff with the payments, pockets the rest, and then moves on from town to town, with the fictional rocket launch for his customers to be brought to their fictional new homes being delayed further and further.

In one of the towns Jack realizes he's found his son Joey, who doesn't know that Jack is his father. Jack hires Joey as a salesperson, decides to stay in this town for a while, and tries to find a way to tell Joey that they are father and son without driving him away, while also trying to keep the fraudulent business from crashing down around him.

Cast

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Main

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  • Billy Crudup as Jack Billings: a lunar-timeshare salesman with Brightside Lunar Residencies and chronic con man; abandoned his wife, Marie Shorter, and their son, Joey, some eighteen years ago.
  • Hank Azaria as Eddie Nichols: another salesman with a gambling addiction that put him in debt to the mob; is trying to convince Shirley to elope to the moon with him.
  • Haneefah Wood as Shirley Stedman: a sort of business manager for the sales office, she's tasked with handling most of the money and paperwork for the office.
  • Alison Pill as Myrtle Mayburn: an unstable woman who becomes increasingly unhinged as her promised life on the moon becomes ever more delayed.
  • Nicholas Podany as Joey Shorter: an upstart salesman who becomes Jack's protege; unaware that Jack is actually his father.
  • Dewshane Williams as Herb Porter: the last member of the sales team; his cool demeanor covers his willingness to lie and manipulate in order to make a sale.

Recurring

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  • Jacki Weaver as Barbara Billings: Jack's mother who wants to be reunited with Joey.
  • Dagmara Domińczyk as Elle Sellway: a wealthy woman of dubious morals; interested in "investing" in Brightside Lunar Residencies.
  • Michael Paul Chan as Walt: owns a derelict lot which Jack Billings directs people to as a "launch site"
  • Joel Marsh Garland as Hank Mason: a poor former janitor who lost his job saving Jack's life; Jack has "given" him an A-Plex on the moon.
  • Matthew Maher as Lester Costopolous: a regulatory officer investigating the Brightside Lunar Residencies.
  • Susan Heyward as Betty Porter: Herb's high-strung wife; supposedly pregnant with twins.

Guest

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Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"Your Brighter Tomorrow, Today"Jonathan EntwistleAmit Bhalla & Lucas JansenFebruary 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)
2"Great Salesmen Make Their Own Turf"Jonathan EntwistleAmit Bhalla & Lucas JansenFebruary 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)
3"A Traveling Salesman Travels"Jonathan EntwistleOlivia MilchFebruary 17, 2023 (2023-02-17)
4"Forms, Appropriately Filled and Filed"Jonathan EntwistleWes BrownFebruary 24, 2023 (2023-02-24)
5"From the Desk of Stanley Jenkins"Ryan McFaulJiehae ParkMarch 3, 2023 (2023-03-03)
6"The Numbers Behind the Numbers"Ryan McFaulAmit Bhalla & Lucas JansenMarch 10, 2023 (2023-03-10)
7"Another Day, Another Apocalypse"Ryan McFaulStephen FalkMarch 17, 2023 (2023-03-17)
8"The Gargon Mothership"Ryan McFaulStephen Falk & Lucas JansenMarch 24, 2023 (2023-03-24)
9"Certain Forces Once Unleashed"Stacie PassonJiehae ParkMarch 31, 2023 (2023-03-31)
10"What Could Be Better?"Stacie PassonAmit Bhalla & Lucas JansenApril 7, 2023 (2023-04-07)

Production

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On May 6, 2021, it was announced that Apple TV+ would produce Amit Bhalla's and Lucas Jansen's TV series Hello Tomorrow!, with Bhalla and Jansen co-writing and producing with Blake Griffin, Ryan Kalil, and Noah Weinstein's Mortal Media, Billy Crudup, and Jonathan Entwistle, with Entwistle set to direct the 10-episode series.[1] Crudup would appear in the lead role.[1]

On October 25, 2021, Hank Azaria, Haneefah Wood, Alison Pill, Nicholas Podany, and Dewshane Williams joined the cast,[2] as did Jacki Weaver on November 17.[3] On January 24, 2022, Dagmara Domińczyk received a recurring role.[4]

Filming began in New York City on October 14, 2021, and concluded on March 24, 2022.[5]

The series premiered on February 17, 2023 on Apple TV+.[6]

Reception

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The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 54% approval rating based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 6.10/10. The website's critical consensus states, "Hello Tomorrow! is visually striking enough to periodically distract from its rambling story and thinly sketched characters, but overall, this first season fails to live up to its potential."[7] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 60 out of 100 based on 26 critics, indicating "Mixed or average reviews".[8]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hello Tomorrow!

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Hello Tomorrow! is an American science fiction comedy-drama television series created by Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen, starring as the charismatic salesman . The show premiered on Apple TV+ on February 17, 2023, with its first season consisting of 10 episodes released weekly after an initial three-episode debut. Set in a retro-futuristic 1950s-inspired featuring hover cars, assistants, and advanced technology, the series follows Jack and his team of traveling salesmen as they peddle lunar timeshares to disillusioned customers, promising a brighter future on the while grappling with personal deceptions and family secrets. The narrative blends elements of sales culture with sci-fi adventure, exploring themes of optimism, regret, and human connection in an alternate reality. Crudup, an Emmy Award winner, also executive produces alongside a cast that includes as Shirley Stedman, as Myrtle Mayburn, as Eddie Nichols, and Nicholas Podany as Joey Shorter. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by a team including , the production draws stylistic influences from mid-20th-century aesthetics while incorporating modern visual effects to depict its optimistic yet flawed futuristic society. The series received mixed reviews, with a 54% approval rating on based on critic consensus praising its ambitious world-building but critiquing its pacing and tonal inconsistencies. On , it holds a 6.3/10 average from over 7,000 user ratings, noted for Crudup's performance amid debates over its blend of humor and drama. The series was not renewed after its first season.

Series Overview

Premise

Hello Tomorrow! is set in a retrofuturistic world inspired by aesthetics, where advanced technology coexists with midcentury optimism about . The series centers on , a charismatic traveling salesman who leads a team peddling timeshares on the to eager customers seeking escape and aspiration. Unbeknownst to his sales associates, these lunar properties are part of a fraudulent scheme designed to exploit dreams of a better life beyond . A key relationship emerges when Jack reconnects with Joey, a young man disillusioned with his circumstances, whom he hires as a junior salesperson without initially disclosing their deeper personal connection. This dynamic introduces tension as Jack mentors Joey through high-stakes sales pitches, gradually drawing him into the vibrant yet deceptive world of the Brightside Travel team. Their interactions highlight Jack's internal conflict between his professional facade and unspoken familial bonds. The narrative explores high-level themes of , where Jack's masks the scam's reality, aspiration, as customers and team members chase unattainable futures, and family reconciliation, driving Jack's evolving motivations. Over the season, the story progresses from enthusiastic sales demonstrations and team camaraderie to the gradual unraveling of personal secrets that threaten the operation's foundation.

Setting and Style

Hello Tomorrow! is set in a retrofuturistic alternate version of America, where everyday life incorporates advanced technologies such as butlers, hover cars, video communication devices, and commercial lunar travel, blending mid-century optimism with elements. This world features streamlined architecture inspired by Googie and styles, with boxy suburban homes on giving way to curved, dome-shaped habitats on the known as Brightside. Production designer Maya Sigel described it as "a streamlined retro-futuristic version of the ," where technology has progressed at a pace far exceeding historical reality, drawing from vintage concepts and roadside designs to create an immersive, alternate post-war landscape. The visual style evokes Mad Men-era aesthetics, with wardrobe featuring tailored suits, pleated dresses, and fedoras in muted pastels and bold primaries that mirror 1950s advertising imagery. Set design incorporates walnut furniture, chrome accents, and clunky gadgets like hologram projectors and punch-card interfaces, researched from Sears catalogs, Popular Mechanics magazines, and World's Fair exhibits to capture industrial optimism. Color palettes emphasize warm autumnal earth tones for terrestrial scenes, such as the orange-and-blue Vista Motor Lodge, contrasted with cool teals and blues for lunar elements, reinforcing the divide between aspirational dreams and distant realities. Sound design crafts a retro-futuristic ambiance through layered effects derived from 1970s-1980s machinery recordings, including cranking mechanisms for movements and dynamic turbine simulations for hover vehicles, processed to evoke an analog, cassette-like quality. These elements integrate seamlessly into ambiences, such as ringing VidComm devices and passing hover cars, to build a consistent nostalgic world without relying on conventional sci-fi tropes. The musical score, composed by , employs mellow orchestral arrangements in for spatial depth, paired with period-inspired jazz and swing tracks from performers like , , and , which heighten the era's sunny yet subtly deceptive tone. Thematically, the setting serves to symbolize the unfulfilled and the pervasive culture of salesmanship, where gleaming innovations like moon timeshares represent boundless opportunity and prosperity for the , yet highlight the era's moral ambiguities and hollow promises. This juxtaposition of technological wonder with 1950s social constraints underscores themes of ambition and deception, evoking the era's blend of hope and underlying disillusionment.

Production

Development

"Hello Tomorrow!" was created by writers Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen as a sci-fi dramedy centered on a group of in a retro-futuristic world, exploring themes of ambition, deception, and familial bonds through the lens of selling lunar timeshares to disillusioned customers. The series was formally announced on May 6, 2021, when Apple TV+ ordered a first season consisting of 10 half-hour episodes, with Bhalla and Jansen set to co-write and executive produce alongside other partners. The writing process began several years prior to the announcement (around 2018), with Bhalla and Jansen crafting an ambitious pilot script to stand out as emerging writers; they drew inspiration from voice-driven storytelling techniques, such as those employed by , initially forgoing traditional outlines to prioritize character development and delusions over straightforward motivations. Key contributors included co-showrunner , who helped shape the narrative alongside Bhalla and Jansen, ensuring the script integrated influences from filmmakers like , , and to blend cynicism with heartfelt warmth. To balance comedy, drama, and sci-fi elements, the writers focused on grounding the retro-futuristic setting in authentic human emotions, using the genre's optimistic aesthetics to underscore psychological themes of alienation and unfulfilled promises without veering into overt realism or spectacle. Development occurred amid the , presenting early challenges in maintaining momentum and proving the concept's viability remotely, which required a strong belief in the project's unique tone. Bhalla and Jansen iteratively refined the retrofuturistic aesthetic—evoking mid-20th-century blended with futuristic tech—to mirror the characters' internal conflicts, ensuring it served the story's exploration of hope and disappointment rather than dominating as mere visual flair.

Casting

Billy Crudup was cast as the lead character Jack Billings, a charismatic salesman, in May 2021, shortly after his Emmy win for Outstanding in a Series for his role in The Morning Show, which highlighted his ability to portray complex, persuasive figures ideal for the part. The production team, including casting directors Stephanie Holbrook and Douglas Aibel, praised Crudup's versatility and humility, noting that his involvement encouraged a focus on theater-trained actors to match the show's sharp, fast-paced dialogue and retro-futuristic tone. In October 2021, the main was expanded with announcements for as Eddie Nichols, a slick salesman grappling with a that adds tension to team dynamics; as Myrtle Mayburn, whose role evolved during auditions to emphasize unexpected emotional depth; as Shirley Stedman, Jack's reliable right-hand whose audition stood out for its immediate chemistry; Nicholas Podany as Joey Shorter; and Dewshane Williams as Herb Porter, selected after over 500 auditions and Zoom chemistry reads with Crudup to ensure ensemble cohesion. These hires were chosen for their wit and humanity, drawing heavily from New York theater talent to bring authenticity to the characters' interpersonal relationships and high-stakes sales environment. Recurring roles were filled in late 2021 and early 2022 to deepen character dynamics, including as Barbara Billings, Jack's caustic and manipulative mother, whose casting leveraged her Oscar-nominated experience in portraying formidable family figures to heighten generational conflicts. joined in January 2022 as Elle, the ethically ambiguous widow of a wealthy industrialist, selected for her confident allure that contrasted with the sales team's optimism and introduced business intrigue. Matthew Maher was cast as Lester Costopoulos, a regulatory investigator whose robotic yet endearing demeanor emerged through audition iterations, providing external pressure on the protagonists' operations across eight episodes. The overall casting process emphasized flexible character breakdowns, with Holbrook and Aibel conducting extensive auditions—often over video—to refine roles based on performers' interpretations, ensuring the ensemble's rapid delivery and emotional layers supported the series' blend of humor and without rigid preconceptions.

Filming

for Hello Tomorrow! commenced in October 2021 and wrapped in March 2022, taking place primarily in studios and on locations in and . Shooting spanned various sites across , including neighborhoods in and , with specific activity noted around Amsterdam Avenue in November 2021. The directorial team, consisting of Jonathan Entwistle, Ryan McFaul, and , managed episode-specific shooting schedules to capture the series' retrofuturistic narrative. Set construction, overseen by production designer Maya Sigel, focused on crafting immersive retrofuturistic environments that evoked an alternate infused with advanced . Key sets, such as the Vista Motor Lodge—featuring a lobby, conference room, and guest rooms—employed warm earth tones and natural materials like wood and stone to ground the earthly past, contrasted with sleek and aluminum for futuristic elements like the lunar colony Brightside. Research drew from Sears catalogs, hotel postcards, and "world of the future" promotional videos to ensure authenticity in the optimistic aesthetic. Practical effects played a central role in realizing lunar and technological features, with puppeteers manipulating cylindrical to create lifelike movements, later refined through . Interactive gadgets, including a bartender at an automat-style bar and self-operating popcorn dispensers, incorporated functional lights, switches, and Rube Goldberg-inspired mechanisms to enhance on-set realism and immersion. Sigel noted the importance of designing "friendly looking" bots to align with the show's playful tone, avoiding menacing sci-fi tropes. Filming navigated industry-wide protocols, including testing and safety measures, which were standard for productions during this period and contributed to the extended phase ahead of the February 2023 premiere.

Cast

Main Cast

Billy Crudup portrays Jack Billings, the charismatic leader of a sales team peddling lunar timeshares in a retro-futuristic 1950s-inspired world. Born on July 8, 1968, in , Crudup began his acting career in theater, making his professional debut in 1994 with the Vineyard Theatre's production of America Dreaming. He earned a from the at Chapel Hill in 1990 and a from in 1994, honing his craft in stage roles that showcased his versatility, including a Tony Award-winning performance as the Stage Manager in on Broadway in 2007. Crudup transitioned to film with his screen debut in Sleepers (1996), directed by , and gained widespread recognition for his role as rock journalist Russell Hammond in (2000), earning a nomination for the Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. His career spans diverse genres, including the fantasy drama (2003), the (2009) as Jon Osterman/Dr. Manhattan, and the Spotlight (2015), for which he received acclaim for his supporting role. More recently, Crudup has excelled in television, earning multiple for Outstanding in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Cory Ellison in The Morning Show (2019–present). Hank Azaria plays Eddie, the cynical colleague who provides sardonic commentary within the sales team dynamic. Born on April 25, 1964, in Queens, New York, Azaria is renowned for his extensive voice work, particularly as a principal voice actor on The Simpsons since 1989, where he has brought to life over a dozen characters, including Moe Szyslak, Chief Wiggum, and Comic Book Guy. He studied acting at Tufts University and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, beginning his career with small roles in films like Pretty Woman (1990) before breaking out in live-action comedies such as The Birdcage (1996), where he played Agador Spartacus. Azaria's vocal talents extend beyond animation to projects like Anastasia (1997), voicing Bartok the bat, and he has also appeared in dramatic roles, including the lead in the baseball comedy series Brockmire (2017–2020). His multifaceted career includes guest spots on shows like Friends and Mad About You, highlighting his range from impressions and voiceovers to on-screen performances. Haneefah Wood embodies Shirley, the team motivator who infuses energy and support into the group's efforts. Born on September 16, 1979, in , Wood built her foundation in musical theater, graduating from High School in 1997 and pursuing stage work early on. Her Broadway credits include originating the role of Christmas Eve in Avenue Q (2003–2004), directed by Jason Moore, as well as performances in Rent at the and Brooklyn the Musical at the . Transitioning to television, she gained notice for her role as Candace De La Brix on Nurse Jackie (2009–2015) and later appeared in series like Schooled (2019–2020) and Truth Be Told (2019–2023). Wood's theater background informs her dynamic screen presence, seen in films such as Freedomland (2006) and the live musical (2016). Alison Pill as Myrtle Mayburn, a dissatisfied customer who buys into Jack's lunar timeshare pitch but grows increasingly frustrated with the delays. Born on November 27, 1985, in , , , Pill began at age 12, appearing in Canadian television before her U.S. breakthrough in the film Perfect Pie (2005). She has a notable history in sci-fi roles, including Dr. Agnes Jurati in Star Trek: Picard (2020–2022), where she portrayed a entangled in , and supporting parts in dystopian thrillers like Snowpiercer (2013) as a teacher in a post-apocalyptic society and Devs (2020) as a software engineer in a mystery. Pill's career also encompasses acclaimed dramas such as Milk (2008), earning her a Critics' Choice Award nomination, and Broadway productions like Blackbird (2011), for which she received a Tony nomination. Her genre work extends to Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) as Kim Pine in the video game-inspired action-comedy. Nicholas Podany depicts Joey, ' estranged son grappling with his father's world. Born in , , Podany is an emerging actor who graduated with a in Drama from in 2018 as part of , where he received the Award. He began his professional career on stage at age 14, earning early accolades such as the Scenie Award for Best Lead Actor in Hermetically Sealed and the Theatre Palisades Award for in 2011. Podany made his Broadway debut in 2019 as Albus Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a role that marked his rise in theater. Hello Tomorrow! represents his first major screen role, following smaller appearances in short films and the series I Didn't Do It (2014–2015). In addition to acting, he is a musician and songwriter, having performed in bands playing original music and covers. Born in and raised in , Williams trained at the and began his career in musical theater, starring as a lead in productions like Grease and . He has built a reputation in genre television, notably as Devon in the sci-fi series Defiance (2013–2015), where he played a resourceful mechanic in a post-apocalyptic alien-human world, and as Dr. Simon Kuttner in The Expanse (2015–2022), contributing to the hard sci-fi narrative of interstellar colonization. Williams' other credits include the time-travel drama (2008–2011), where he recurred as Dr. Fred, and the prison film (2010) as Frank. His work spans multiple genres, from mystery in Private Eyes (2016–present) to holiday romances like One Winter Weekend (2018). Dewshane Williams portrays Herb, the optimistic rookie bringing fresh enthusiasm to the sales team.

Recurring and Guest Cast

Jacki Weaver portrays Barbara Billings, the caustic and manipulative mother of protagonist , appearing in multiple episodes to explore familial pressures and unresolved conflicts within the show's retro-futuristic setting. , an Australian actress twice nominated for for her supporting roles in Animal Kingdom (2010) and (2012), brings a layer of sharp emotional depth to the character's tense interactions with her son. Dagmara Domińczyk recurs as Elle Sellway, Joey Shorter's estranged mother and a wealthy involved in ethically dubious ventures that intersect with the sales team's operations, highlighting themes of and moral ambiguity in family dynamics. Domińczyk, a Polish-American actress known for her film roles in Rock Star (2001) and (2002), as well as her portrayal of Karolina Novotney in HBO's Succession, delivers a performance that underscores Elle's complex, often adversarial relationship with her son. Michael Paul Chan appears as Walt, a surly yet skilled rocket mechanic who owns a derelict lot repurposed as a makeshift launch site by Jack's team, providing pivotal backstory connections and logistical support amid the narrative's escalating deceptions. A veteran of television with notable roles in The Goonies (1985) and as Lt. Mike Tao in The Closer and Major Crimes, Chan's portrayal adds grounded realism to the ensemble's high-stakes improvisations. Supporting characters like these contribute to the series' exploration of interpersonal tensions, particularly within fractured families, as Barbara and Elle's influences amplify the emotional stakes for Jack and Joey without overshadowing the core sales team dynamics.

Episodes

Season Structure

Hello Tomorrow! consists of a single season comprising 10 episodes, each running approximately 30 to 40 minutes. The episodes were released weekly on Apple TV+, beginning with the first three on February 17, 2023, and concluding on April 7, 2023. The season employs a serialized framework that integrates episodic elements focused on individual sales pitches and customer interactions with a continuous overarching storyline exploring relationships and the gradual revelation of the central . Early episodes establish the retro-futuristic world, character dynamics, and the sales team's operations, while later installments accelerate the dramatic tension through escalating conflicts and revelations. As of 2025, no additional seasons have been produced, with the story achieving closure in the season finale.

Episode 1: "Your Brighter Tomorrow, Today"

The series opens in a retro-futuristic 1950s America where Jack Billings, a charismatic traveling salesman, pitches lunar timeshares for the Brightside Lunar Residences company to a skeptical customer in a bar, revealing the underlying scam through his persuasive tactics. Jack visits his comatose wife Nancy in the hospital, interacting awkwardly with her mother Barbara, before recruiting his estranged son Joey, who has been rejected from a Mars program, to join the sales team despite Joey's initial reluctance. A malfunctioning robot housekeeper causes a fatal accident, underscoring the era's flawed technology, while the team— including Eddie, Herb, Shirley, and Buck—begins their door-to-door pitches, ending with Joey's first awkward sales attempt that highlights his inexperience. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen, the episode introduces the scam's moral ambiguities and sets up the father-son dynamic as a central tension.

Episode 2: "Great Salesmen Make Their Own Turf"

Joey struggles with training under guidance, faking a successful pitch to impress him before making a genuine at his day job , marking his first real step into the family's deceptive world. Herb and Eddie fail to close a deal but Herb forms an unexpected connection with customer Myrtle Mayburn, who is unhappy in her , while Shirley organizes a bold advertisement to boost visibility despite potential legal issues. Jack encourages Joey to embrace the sales life, but tensions rise when Joey questions the of their pitches, ending on a with the billboard's risky placement drawing unwanted attention from authorities. The episode, directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Amit Bhalla and Lucas Jansen, explores themes of desperation and false hope through the team's interpersonal bonds.

Episode 3: "A Traveling man Travels"

momentum builds with the new advertising, as assists Myrtle in leaving her abusive husband, fostering their budding romance amid the scam's growing exposure. Eddie evades a persistent , Big Fred, who suspects , while Shirley narrowly avoids over the unauthorized , showcasing her resourcefulness. Jack and Joey share a tentative bonding moment during a sales trip, complicated by Jack's evasive responses about his past with Barbara, culminating in Joey overhearing hints of deeper family secrets that strain their fragile reconciliation. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by Olivia Milch, the installment heightens the stakes with external threats and internal doubts, paying off early setup on the team's vulnerabilities.

Episode 4: "Forms, Appropriately Filled and Filed"

Jack poses as Joey's father to pursue a romantic interest, , inadvertently revealing his true paternity to Joey in a moment of , though he urges to protect their working relationship. Eddie indulges in , winning big and impulsively buying a lunar plot, which deepens his in the con and highlights his personal recklessness. Myrtle discovers the need for proper paperwork to legitimize sales, leading Joey to defy Jack by closing a deal with Mr. Montez without authorization, ending with regulatory scrutiny threatening the operation. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle and written by , the episode delves into the between personal lies and professional deceit, advancing Joey's arc toward complicity.

Episode 5: "From the Desk of Stanley Jenkins"

Jack fabricates a message from a fictional executive, using a pet named Stanley Jenkins to deceive Shirley into believing he is also a victim of the , preserving her loyalty amid rising suspicions. Joey faces for an unauthorized sale, prompting Jack to pull strings from a hidden file to him out, exposing the depth of Jack's manipulative resources. A excited family drives to a nonexistent launch site, only to encounter a mysterious armed man who recognizes Jack, creating a tense ; meanwhile, Herb and Betty rekindle their romance built on her fabricated , and Myrtle rails against societal deceptions in . Written by Jiehae Park and directed by Ryan McFaul, this episode amplifies the scam's consequences through converging personal and professional crises.

Episode 6: "The Numbers Behind the Numbers"

A flashback reveals Jack's firing from his long-term job at APP, his , and rescue by , inspiring the lunar as a way to sell dreams; in the present, Jack encounters again and sells him a , exploiting their . Joey challenges Jack's sales halt, while Shirley advocates refunding customers by selling the remaining land; Joey visits an old age home, uncovering family connections and the 's human cost, leading him to confront Jack and storm off in disillusionment. Myrtle inspects the "lunar site," suffers a shock from faulty wiring but remains enchanted by the illusion, ending with Joey's resolve to expose the . The episode, written by Bhalla and Lucas Jansen and directed by Ryan McFaul, provides backstory payoff on Jack's motivations and escalates Joey's doubts as a thematic pivot.

Episode 7: "Another Day, Another Apocalypse"

Jack asserts ownership of actual lunar property to bolster the con's credibility, but Buck's manic escape from his rest home disrupts a crucial meeting with investor Elle, as he rants about the and attacks a . Myrtle alerts customers to the , sparking a at the Brightside ; Betty uses Eddie's winnings to attempt refunds, but chaos ensues with escalating violence. Jack's deceptions strain his partnership with Shirley, who begins to see through his facade, concluding with the team fractured and the mob closing in, heightening the tone of unraveling lies. Written by and directed by Ryan McFaul, the installment delivers on the building pressure from Episode 6's revelations, focusing on collective fallout.

Episode 8: "The Gargon Mothership"

Shirley forces Jack to confess the full extent of the , leading her to walk out on him in disgust; Joey learns definitively that Jack is his biological father and rejects him for a lifetime of falsehoods. Jack heroically Buck from a at the launchpad, using the moment to rally customers through Herb's broadcast, convincing them of the plan's viability. He secures Elle's investment and Walt's tentative backing to construct actual condos on his father's land, but loses Shirley to Eddie as she departs permanently, ending with Jack isolated despite business gains. Written by and directed by Ryan McFaul, this episode pays off relational arcs with bittersweet triumphs, emphasizing the cost of Jack's optimism.

Episode 9: "Certain Forces Once Unleashed"

Jack grapples with the con's darker implications, resisting Elle's plan to abandon passengers on the for profit as launch preparations falter with a worker's severe . Eddie loses his hand in a violent with Big Fred over debts, aided by Shirley's quick thinking; Joey, torn by loyalty, informs of the and wears a wire to gather evidence against Jack. Jack confesses everything to Joey in a raw moment, imploring him to halt the launch to save lives, while Myrtle and 's romance crumbles under the scam's weight. Written by Jiehae Park and directed by , the penultimate episode builds to an emotional , resolving Joey's internal conflict with high-stakes action.

Episode 10: "What Could Be Better?"

Joey deletes his recording of Jack's confession, choosing over , but aids in trapping customers in an to prevent a doomed launch, intending to repurpose funds for real homes. Betty, , and others escape with Lester's help and reboard the rocket; Walt refuses to pilot due to past trauma, forcing Jack to cede control to Elle, who launches anyway with unwitting passengers including a bagged Big Fred, presumed dead after Eddie's accidental killing. Nancy awakens from her with , allowing Jack and Joey a deceptive visit, while Joey fabricates a positive past to comfort her, ending the season with the rocket en route to the Moon and unresolved tensions between Jack and Elle. Written by Jiehae Park, Amit Bhalla, and Lucas Jansen and directed by , the finale delivers thematic closure on hope versus reality, with cliffhangers teasing future conflicts.

Release

Premiere and Distribution

Hello Tomorrow! premiered exclusively on Apple TV+ on February 17, 2023, with the first three episodes released simultaneously, followed by one new episode each subsequent Friday until the season concluded on April 7, 2023. The series launched globally on the platform, available in over 100 countries and regions at the time of release, ensuring simultaneous for international audiences without staggered rollouts. As an Apple Original, Hello Tomorrow! was offered with audio dubbing and subtitles in over 40 languages to support diverse viewers, aligning with Apple TV+'s standard localization practices for its original programming. By 2025, the series expanded beyond its Apple TV+ exclusivity in select markets, becoming available through Prime Video Channels in regions such as and , allowing subscribers to access it via Amazon's platform. No physical home media releases, such as DVD or Blu-ray, have been issued, maintaining its primary status as a streaming-exclusive title. The release adhered to the planned weekly cadence without any reported delays, delivering all 10 episodes over 10 weeks.

Promotion

Apple TV+ released first-look images for Hello Tomorrow! on December 8, 2022, featuring star as the charismatic salesman in a retro-futuristic setting, highlighting his central role in the series. On January 18, 2023, the streaming service debuted the official trailer, which showcased Crudup's energetic performance alongside glimpses of the 1950s-inspired world and lunar pitches, building anticipation for the February . The trailer was promoted across platforms, including , where it emphasized the show's blend of optimism and deception in a stylized future. Promotional efforts included tie-in advertisements that echoed the series' 1950s aesthetic, such as a teaser video titled "Welcome to a 1950's Future," which used vintage-style narration and visuals to immerse viewers in the era's techno-optimism. Apple TV+ hosted a world premiere event on February 16, 2023, in , attended by cast members including Crudup and executive producers, generating buzz through red carpet appearances and media coverage. Press activities featured interviews with the cast and creators, such as discussions with Crudup about embodying the salesman's charm and the show's thematic inspirations from mid-century sales techniques. Following the season's conclusion in April 2023, promotional momentum waned amid uncertainty over renewal, with no second season confirmed by late 2025; retrospective features in media outlets reflected on the series' unique but did not spur new campaigns.

Reception

Critical Response

Hello Tomorrow! received mixed reviews from critics, earning a 54% approval rating on based on 52 reviews, with an average score of 6.10/10. On , the series holds a score of 60 out of 100, indicating "mixed or average" reviews from 26 critics. Critics frequently praised Billy Crudup's charismatic and Emmy-worthy performance as the optimistic salesman , which anchored the series despite its flaws. The retrofuturistic visuals and production design were also highlighted as standout elements, evoking a vibrant 1960s-inspired alternate reality with innovative sci-fi . In contrast, the ensemble cast beyond Crudup was often described as underdeveloped, with supporting characters lacking depth to support the narrative. Several reviews pointed to pacing issues and a thin plot as major weaknesses, with Lucy Mangan of The Guardian criticizing the "sluggish pace" and lack of comedic punch in the dramedy format, awarding it 2 out of 5 stars. Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com offered a more positive take, commending the "creative vision of an alternate reality" and its blend of sci-fi with emotional depth, though he noted the story's occasional meandering. Melissa Camacho from Common Sense Media emphasized the mature themes, including graphic violence and adult content, rating it 2 out of 5 and calling it a "missed opportunity" for family viewing. Overall, the critical consensus recognized strengths in stylistic flair and Crudup's lead role but faulted the series for struggling to balance its and elements, resulting in uneven storytelling and limited character exploration.

Viewership and Legacy

Apple TV+ has not publicly disclosed official viewership figures for Hello Tomorrow!, but third-party analytics indicate moderate audience engagement relative to other series on the platform. Parrot Analytics reported that demand for the show in was 0.6 times the average for TV series in the 30 days following its release, suggesting limited global traction. On , the series holds a 6.3/10 rating from over 7,000 user votes, reflecting a niche but not blockbuster appeal. The series concluded after its single 10-episode season in April 2023, with no renewal announced by Apple TV+ as of November 2025, effectively marking its cancellation. Early signs of non-renewal included a 2023 auction of screen-used props and costumes by VIP Fan Auctions, which featured items like sales brochures and lunar models from the production. In terms of legacy, Hello Tomorrow! contributed to the retrofuturistic aesthetic in contemporary television, blending optimism with speculative sci-fi elements in its production design, including custom logos and signage that evoked mid-century advertising. Critics have drawn comparisons to for its exploration of salesmanship and disillusionment in a stylized era, while its moon-colony premise echoed the whimsical futurism of . The series received one Primetime Emmy nomination in 2023 for Outstanding Main Title Design, recognizing its visual creativity, though it secured no wins. By 2025, the show's enduring impact lies in highlighting unfulfilled narrative potential within its innovative world-building, as noted in reviews that praised Billy Crudup's charismatic lead performance amid broader structural shortcomings. It has influenced discussions on retrofuturism's role in critiquing modern optimism, though without major awards or follow-up seasons, its cultural footprint remains specialized rather than mainstream.

References

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