The Marvelous Mrs Maisel could be the new Mad Men. Here’s why

As Amazon Prime’s drama about a housewife turned stand-up enters its third series, our TV critic examines its merits

By Evie Prosser

Season Three of the Amazon Original The Marvelous Mrs Maisel dropped a few weeks ago, and aficionados of alternative comedy-drama rubbed their hands together with glee.

    It’s more of a comedy than the other series mentioned here, with several laugh-out-loud moments (not least Mrs Maisel’s stand-up routines,...  

Since launching in 2017 the show has garnered a loyal following among lovers of creatively exciting, artsy boxed sets. If you enjoyed shows like Mad Men, The Sopranos and Breaking Bad for their deft storytelling and intelligent staging, there’s a high chance you’ll be similarly enthused by The Marvelous Mrs Maisel.

The fundamental difference between Maisel and these other shows is the lack of a deep-seated misanthropy. The Sopranos and Breaking Bad were both extremely violent, with regular bloodletting and scenes from which even the strongest-stomached viewer recoiled.

Mad Men wasn’t so obviously violent, but it nonetheless had an innate darkness. Remember when Don Draper/Dick Whitman’s half-brother Adam hanged himself in Season One? Or Lane Pryce’s suicide in Season Five? These are just two moments where the basic sorrow at the heart of the series comes to the fore.

Mrs Maisel, meanwhile, is essentially a happy show. It’s more of a comedy than the other series mentioned here, with several laugh-out-loud moments (not least Mrs Maisel’s stand-up routines, which are genuinely very funny). The staging often resembles a good old-fashioned farce, with exits and entrances managed to brilliant effect, and the performances delivered with pitch-perfect timing.

A standout performer is Monk star Tony Shalhoub. Playing the protagonist’s father, Abe (an eccentric mathematics professor, which suits Shalhoub perfectly), he embodies the very essence of the show: funny, clever and extraordinarily slick. You could almost imagine that you’re watching Maisel live at the theatre rather than on your flat-screen TV at home.

Here’s the basic premise: Miriam (“Midge”) Maisel is a housewife whose businessman husband wants to make it as a stand-up. It’s obvious from the get-go that he’s not good enough, and after bombing at a downtown New York comedy club he announces in a temper that he wants to escape his humdrum life. He leaves her for his secretary.

Midge responds to the breakdown of her marriage by accidentally launching her own stand-up career, first in a series of drunken rambles when she takes to the stage in a local club, and then in a more focused manner with the guidance of wannabe agent, Susie.

Where the show gets really interesting, and where the comparison with Mad Men and its ilk seems most justified, is in the development of other characters. All of the main characters get their own arc, and the subplots are every bit as compelling as the central narrative. Witness Abe’s transition from college professor to beatnik in Season Three, or his wife Rose’s brilliantly played rediscovery of her youth in Paris in Season Two, as two prime cases in point.

    Mrs Maisel shows every sign of shaping up to be the next small-screen icon (it’s already won 16 Emmys).  

It’s the same in Mad Men. While Don Draper is our hero, the one whose destiny we're meant to most care about, we’re just as interested in the fortunes of Roger Sterling, Betty Draper/Francis and Peggy Olson. Heck, by the end of the series we’re even invested in the wellbeing of Don’s arch-rival Ted Chaough.

If the mark of a brilliant long-running TV drama is that it manages to be both the story of one person and an effective ensemble piece, Mrs Maisel shows every sign of shaping up to be the next small-screen icon (it’s already won 16 Emmys). It’s been getting stronger and more confident with each new season as the writers show greater willingness to play with form and innovate in their storytelling.

Then there’s the added magic, the X-factor that Mad Men had in spades, where even the unintended stuff becomes invested with meaning. Just look at the weird and whacky Mad Men fan theories to have emerged about the show since it first aired in 2007.

Perhaps that’s when the creators of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel will know they’ve truly achieved television immortality: when the internet is full of rumours and conspiracy theories about the series. It’ll need to run for a few more seasons before that happens. But with news that Season Four has been booked, there’s every reason to think the show has what it takes.

And until then, we can enjoy watching a programme that’s already at the very top of its game.

© Just Recruitment Group Ltd

Published: 6 January 2020

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Every one of David Bowie’s studio albums rated

You may also enjoy: Five reasons why The Good Fight is the smartest thing on TV right now

Jobs currently available

New job
Digital Marketing Executive
Sector: Marketing, Advertising and PR
Location: Ipswich
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC17
About the role

Just Recruitment has a fantastic opportunity for a skilled Digital Marketing Executive to join an exciting company based in Ipswich.

You will be responsible for driving business growth and boosting brand visibility through digital channels.  The role involves developing digital strategies, managing SEO, SEM, email campaigns, and social media—particularly within a B2B context. Creativity and a strong grasp of digital tools are essential.

After successfully completing the probationary period, hybrid working is available — with a minimum of 3 days in the office and up to 2 days working from home each week. Hours are 9am to 5pm.

Duties include:

  • Working with the Marketing Manager to execute the marketing strategy.
  • Drive the development, evolution and progression of websites.
  • Facilitate content population and migration, defining content, meta descriptions and relevant back-end tags as appropriate, manually transferring content and assets as required.
  • Review webpages for accuracy of copy, internal links and downloads.
  • Support the image library collation and upload process, including video content.
  • Integrate SEO into content plans, create and optimise engaging content for the website and social media.
  • Create new web pages to meet the needs of the business and the marketing plan, conducting analysis through tracking tools and reporting.

Vital professional expertise required:

  • A minimum of three years' experience in a digital marketing role.
  • Website Content Management Systems.
  • Website reporting and analytics tools (e.g. GA4).
  • A/B testing and other forms of optimisation.
  • Social media platforms and scheduling tools (e.g. Hootsuite).
  • PPC & Email marketing.
  • Prepare reports on marketing and ROI metrics.
  • Working within B2B industry.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Office Support Co-ordinator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Salary: £25,250 per annum
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB05
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with an established manufacturer, based in Tiverton, Devon, to recruit an Office Support Coordinator.

Hours: 35 hours per week. Monday to Friday, 8.30am/9.00am to 4.30pm/5.00pm.

This is a key role providing front-of-house and administrative support across the business. Responsibilities include managing the switchboard and visitors, coordinating meetings, preparing documents, and maintaining records. The position also supports the HR & Payroll Manager with drafting and formatting documents, ensuring well-organised administration. While it does not involve direct project leadership, it requires a proactive and efficient approach to daily operations.

Duties will include:

  • General administrative support to the wider business, including document creation and record maintenance
  • Support to the HR & Payroll Manager, particularly in drafting and formatting documents
  • Arranging travel – overseas and in the UK, and monitoring the effectiveness of service provisions
  • Carrying out annual tasks, such as driver licence checks for company vehicle drivers, updating and maintaining systems and databases to ensure up-to-date, accurate information
  • Phone cover and switchboard support
  • Visitor management, including sign-in and hospitality coordination
  • Meeting support, including room bookings, refreshments, and logistics
  • Support with the coordination of compliance training and logging of events and certificates
  • Utilising and creating content for our learning management platform – becoming an admin user proficient in creating and analysing reports for compliance
  • Responding to internal support requests and processing outcomes, such as placing orders for personal protective equipment and consumables, maintaining internal records and procedures
  • Assisting with documenting workflow processes to formalise our wider team procedures and ensure continual review to ensure up-to-date practices are in place
  • Administration support of the starter/leavers process, including updating our business systems

Required key skills include:

  • Exceptional communication and customer service skills to include: interpersonal, verbal and written
  • High attention to detail and accuracy
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, etc.)
  • The ability to communicate professionally at all levels
  • Interested in developing automation tools to improve efficiency
  • Comfortable investigating issues and following through to resolution
  • Discreet, professional, and collaborative in a multi-functional team environmentExcellent written English skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional documents.
  • Familiar with the organisation of events, overseas travel or similar
  • Previous experience in an office support role for a large multi-functional organisation
  • Adaptable, self-motivated, team worker with a can-do attitude who can demonstrate initiative

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Workshop Fitter
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: Clacton-on-Sea
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC16
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business, based near Clacton-on-Sea, to recruit a Workshop Fitter to join their long-standing team.

Duties include:

  • Precise fitting of mechanical and potentially electrical components according to technical drawings and specifications.
  • Operating and utilising a variety of engineering tools and equipment with expertise and safety.
  • Contributing to the overall build process from sub-assembly to final machine completion.
  • Working collaboratively with the experienced team to ensure top-quality output.

Key skills required:

  • Proven experience in a manufacturing or engineering workshop environment is essential.
  • Demonstrable knowledge of engineering tools and equipment, and a track record of using them effectively.
  • Skilled in fitting parts together and building complex machinery with accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment and take pride in your work.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Order Processing Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC15
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Witham to recruit an Order Processing Administrator to join their long-standing team.

The role will primarily focus on uploading orders and quotes, accurately interpreting dimensions from drawings, and demonstrating a keen eye for detail to ensure items are produced with the right first-time approach, meeting customer requirements.

Duties include:

  • Vetting of customers' drawings and orders
  • Uploading orders and quotes onto the internal system
  • Ensuring all orders are checked within the agreed KPI’s
  • Sending orders to out-sourcing and responding to queries and questions that may arise
  • Processing delivery notes and invoices
  • Investigating and processing remake paperwork
  • Undertaking any administrative functions within the office as and when required

Key skills required:

  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Excellent organisational skills to manage the workload for the team
  • Confident with technical information (or confidence to learn)
  • Self-motivated
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Computer literate (Excel/Word)

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Customer Service Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Witham
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC7
About the role

Just Recruitment is partnering with a well-established and successful business in Witham to recruit a Customer Service Administrator to join their long-standing team.

You will be responsible for delivering a high level of customer service to both regular customers and internal stakeholders, including production, accounts, transport, and the sales team. You will work towards key KPIs to ensure that the highest standards of customer service are maintained and continuously improved.

Duties include:

  • Vet customer orders ready for processing onto the system.
  • This includes applying the correct delivery dates to suit the customer requirements whilst ensuring it fits in with the production dates, capabilities and delivery areas.
  • Proactive response to answering the telephone within 3 rings.
  • Enthusiastic attitude to deal with and resolve customers' queries or issues promptly.
  • Proactively follow up with customers to resolve queries if they have not responded. Ensure all verbal correspondence is confirmed in writing and the system is updated with correct information.
  • Support the end-of-month invoicing procedure, investigate and find any missing delivery notes.
  • Routinely speak to key accounts and regular customers to grow a productive working relationship with them.

Key skills:

  • Exceptional customer service skills - must have a friendly and positive phone manner.
  • Energetic, self-driven and motivated.
  • Excellent attention to detail.
  • Ability to continually multitask.
  • Ability to prioritise your time to plan and organise your day.
  • Ability to learn and absorb information.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am - 5.00pm.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more