Jack Martin Is Perfectly Positioned for This Moment

      The elements that contribute to a successful Mindy Kaling comedy include a blend of charming and relatable characters, a dash of complex relationships, and a generous dose of comforting nostalgia. Her newest project, Not Suitable for Work, exemplifies these traits abundantly. This workplace sitcom centers on a group of ambitious twenty-somethings who are earnestly, though often clumsily, trying to achieve career success while managing personal relationships in New York City. It resonates with anyone familiar with the finance culture in Murray Hill or anyone who has experienced the challenges of establishing themselves in the job market—essentially, everyone. However, the real highlight of the show stems from its core group of five characters, portrayed with impeccable chemistry by Ella Hunt, Avantika Vandanapu, Will Angus, Nicholas Duvernay, and Jack Martin. Martin particularly shines this season as Josh Teitelbaum, an aspiring journalist who leverages his family connection to secure a position at a major media company where his father serves as CEO. Initially perceived as an entitled "nepo baby" grappling with daddy issues, Josh ultimately reveals himself to be a loyal friend and an idealist who strives to use his advantages for good. Moreover, Martin showcases remarkable comedic timing throughout, delivering some of the show’s most memorable one-liners. After the dramatic season finale involving Josh, Hunt’s AJ, and Angus’s Davis, we spoke with Martin to explore his own uncertain career path, the influential prestige TV that shaped him, and why satire about the wealthy makes for compelling comedy.

      How has your summer been so far?

      It's going really well. A lot of promoting the show, which has been fantastic. It's been wonderful to see it released and receive such a great response. I also just returned from a trip to Europe, which was a lot of fun.

      Yes, you visited Copenhagen, which is one of my favorite cities.

      Oh my God, it was incredible. My friends booked an Airbnb in Sicily and I decided to join them, but first, they were in Copenhagen. I couldn't resist tagging along. I was amazed; I think it’s the nicest city I've ever been to. The fashion is insane, and I ended up buying some great clothes. The subway system is the best I’ve ever ridden. The food was delicious too. I even took a dip in one of the harbor baths, which was great.

      Sounds amazing! Let's discuss Not Suitable for Work. The show focuses on career-driven twenty-somethings. Reflecting on your own professional journey, when did you come to the realization that acting was the path for you?

      I've wanted to act since I was a kid, but I quickly doubted it was a viable option for me, so I didn't revisit it until I was older. In college, I took an acting class and rediscovered my love for it. I would perform a monologue repeatedly for fun, getting really into it. I joined a summer program at NYU, which was fantastic. It led to me getting my first agent during industry nights where I could audition, and I ended up getting signed. I graduated early because of that, but then COVID hit right after. So, I started creating sketches online since there were no productions happening, having essentially staked my entire life on acting. My current manager, who is amazing, cold-emailed me, and I honestly thought it was a spam message. I couldn't believe someone that great would reach out to me. He recognized potential in me I hadn’t seen in myself and signed me. I landed my first show pretty quickly after that.

      What were some of your early influences in the industry? Were there particular characters or actors who had a significant impact on you?

      I've always loved film, but as a kid, my real passion was prestige TV. I was a huge fan of HBO shows. I watched everything they aired, including The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. I think Succession is the greatest show ever made, besides Not Suitable for Work, of course! Those are the series I could watch multiple times.

      I adore satire. I don’t mean to be pretentious, but I truly appreciate when art effectively addresses significant themes. Sometimes, satire doesn’t even need to be humorous, or it’s not intended to be funny, yet I still find it hilarious. Shows like Succession, The White Lotus, and The Sopranos resonate with me because they capture a real truth. Though I can't say the same for Sopranos, since I’m not part of the mafia.

      Fair point. Many of those shows are quite serious dramas. Did you not initially view yourself as a comedic actor?

      Not really. I’ve always enjoyed comedy—shows like Arrested Development and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (I think Glenn Howerton is one of the best comedic actors ever), The Office, and Mindy’s projects. I’m a huge Nathan Fielder