On November 2, I Love L.A., a comedy series created by Rachel Sennott, premiered on HBO. The pilot follows protagonist Maia, an aspiring talent manager, on her nightmare birthday in Los Angeles, surrounded by a star-studded group of friends. It’s a whirlwind of inside jokes with a teasing fondness for the City of Angels, but the serious talent chops make it an exciting ride.
An Exciting Cast of Characters
First and foremost, the series would not have the potential it does without the talent it has. The supporting cast includes Odessa A’zion, True Whitaker, and Jordan Firstman. While none of these performers are new to the screen, it’s about time for their big break. Their quiet, straightforward performances elevate the writing to a hilarious and realistic depiction of these fun characters, insufferable as they would be in real life.
The show opens with Sennott and her boyfriend, played by seasoned actor Josh Hutcherson. These two and their chemistry seal the deal for the show. Hutcherson, over the course of his career, has turned his boyish charm from his child actor days and channelled it into a raunchy, unhinged sense of humor that fits the show beautifully. Combined with Sennott’s charm, their relationship onscreen is equal parts sexy and endearing—a perfect centerpiece for the series.
Sennott complements this ensemble with the show’s guiding force. She has had a typecast in Hollywood thus far: her characters are out of touch, bratty, ditsy, dry, but with enough heart to make them lovable. Maia is no different, except she is maturing into her late twenties and softening because of it. It’s a challenge for Sennott’s portfolio, but a welcome change as she steps into a more seasoned position as a creative.
The Writing: Critical or Childish?
The writing in the pilot immediately made some fans angry. It’s true that these characters are a little obnoxious. They live the metropolitan Gen Z life that can be a bit grating to watch: they talk a lot about Erewhon and silly drama and their nepo-baby lives. As Maia celebrates her 27th birthday, some may find their problems overly juvenile for these characters. If you don’t like following these kinds of plots, then you likely won’t like the show regardless of its function.
The writing in I Love LA pic.twitter.com/C3xyUeX8JE
— Diva RESET (@_matthewlawson) November 5, 2025
It seems to be, however, that this kind of writing is the only way to tell this particular story. The characters are living entitled lives in the entertainment industry, with very Los Angeles priorities and problems. When viewing it from their perspectives, the writing, specifically the dialogue, actually feels very grounded and realistic—even if it feels a little immature.
I Love L.A. made it clear right off the bat that it wasn’t for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, it seems to be particularly catering to a niche that cares for these characters and this show’s sense of humor. Regardless, the premier created a community of fans who will be excited to see the series develop over the course of the season.
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