Attention! Spoilers for episodes 1 and 2 of Your Friends & Neighbors ahead.
While Mad Men may hold the title of an iconic television series, Jon Hamm’s latest project on Apple TV+ presents a reimagined version of his memorable character, Don Draper. Despite Mad Men concluding its critically acclaimed seven-season journey a decade ago, its legacy continues to reverberate in contemporary television. With an impressive 94% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, the series remains a benchmark for quality storytelling. It’s no wonder that Hamm, despite his diverse filmography, is primarily recognized for his role as the enigmatic Draper.
Although Jon Hamm’s new character diverges from the world of Mad Men, echoes of Don Draper resonate in his portrayal. The context surrounding Hamm’s latest role highlights fascinating contrasts while still inviting comparisons to his previous iconic character.
A Distinct Yet Familiar Role: Jon Hamm in Your Friends & Neighbors
Andrew Cooper Lacks the Control That Defines Don Draper
In Mad Men, Jon Hamm’s Don Draper is depicted as a masterful marketing expert who leverages his charisma and keen emotional insight to sell ideas and products alike. However, his personal life is tumultuous, marked by infidelity and a complicated relationship with his children, leading to his eventual divorce. In contrast, Hamm’s character in Your Friends & Neighbors, Andrew Cooper, navigates a different array of challenges, heavily influenced by the betrayal of his wife.
While Cooper finds an unconventional route out of financial straits through stealing from his wealthy neighbors, he lacks the finesse and strategic thinking associated with Draper. Instead of employing long-term planning, Cooper often lets his impulsive nature dictate his actions, setting him on a perilous path. Although he shares common struggles with Draper, the distinctions between the two characters are stark.
Parallel Lives: Don Draper and Andrew Cooper in Divergent Worlds
Complex Characters with Curated Facades
Jon Hamm recently shared insights into the connections between Draper and Cooper in a Newsweek interview. He acknowledged that, despite their differences, both characters grapple with their flawed identities—Draper as a salesman of the American dream, and Cooper as someone striving to obtain it. Draper employs deception to maintain an image of success, all while concealing his inner turmoil.
Similarly, Andrew Cooper struggles with his self-constructed persona as he attempts to fulfill his version of the American dream. His choice to steal reflects a desperation that may resonate with Draper’s own ethics had he found himself in Cooper’s precarious position. With the second season of Your Friends & Neighbors already greenlit, viewers are keen to see how Cooper’s ethical decline might parallel the moral complexities experienced by Draper throughout Mad Men.