David Duchovny’s Best 7-Part Series Quietly Becomes a Late-Night Favorite 12 Years Later

Overshadowed by actors in his wake like James Gandolfini, Jon Hamm, and Bryan Cranston, David Duchovny is quietly one of the most accomplished television stars of his generation. Before the prestige television boom in the 2000s, The X-Files pushed the envelope for episodic storytelling. After playing Fox Mulder on the Fox mystery series for 194 episodes, Duchovny could’ve made a living off playing true believers in the supernatural and otherworldly existence in any genre.

For his X-Files follow-up, however, Duchovny graduated to premium cable to play the anti-Mulder, a misanthropic writer who doesn’t want to believe anything other than his hedonistic urges. Californication, airing on Showtime for seven seasons, was the Emmy winner’s victory lap, tracking his on-screen versatility. Now charting high on the Apple TV Store, the dramedy deserves your consideration as one of the unsung gems of the prestige TV era.

What Is ‘Californication’ About?

Created by Tom Kapinos, hailing from the Dawson’s Creek writers’ room, Californication follows Duchovny as Hank Moody, a self-loathing, narcissistic author struggling with a long-term case of writer’s block. While gifted in his prose, Hank’s addiction to alcohol, drugs, and sexual escapades has made him radioactive in the publishing industry and a force of self-destruction that alienated him from his former partner, Karen (Natascha McElhone), and their daughter, Becca (Madeleine Martin). Through a series of shenanigans and genuine acts of reformation, Hank hopes to reconnect with his family, all while navigating his tumultuous career under the guidance of his manager, Charlie Runkle (Evan Handler).

Running from 2007 to 2014 across 84 episodes, Californication earned David Duchovny a Golden Globe for his performance as Hank Moody. Similar to Fox Mulder, Hank is steadfast in his belief in a higher power, but in this case, he’s convinced that life is hell, as his claim to fame is the acclaimed novel titled God Hates Us All. Deep down, though, Hank isn’t as much contemptuous of the world as he is resentful of himself. Not only is creative writing psychologically draining, but the business apparatus surrounding it is especially poisonous, especially when Hollywood studios are adapting watered-down versions of his work on the big screen. Hank’s internal angst is an archetypal case of midlife crisis, but his approach to handling these woes goes beyond buying a sports car or dating a partner decades his junior. Rather, Californication enters each season pondering whether Hank will make it through without being sentenced to jail or death.

‘Californication’ Balances Raunchy Comedy With Sincere Family Drama

While it lost its way in the back half of its run, Californication‘s early seasons are superb, striking a perfect chord between raunchy comedy and poignant drama that grappled with serious issues such as addiction and fatherhood. Hank’s various hijinks caused by his promiscuity and debauchery were en vogue at the time, and they still feel fresh thanks to the show’s pointed criticism of the character. Because he’s played by Duchovny, it’s hard not to be amused by his candor and brash sensibilities, but the actor imbues all the character’s actions with pity and even darkness. Although he acts like he doesn’t care, Hank is actively calling for help during his bouts with the law, scandalous affairs, and conflicts with publishers. The series is also an accurate, if not cathartic, look into the writer’s process and how defeating it can be for even the sharpest minds. On top of it all, Californication tackles the intersection between art and commerce, which kicks into a new gear when Hank tries his hand at writing screenplays.

If the focal point of the narrative revolved around Hank’s career prospects, Californication wouldn’t have an ounce of its dramatic undercurrent, nor would you even really care that much about this egotistical cynic. What makes the audience pull for Hank is his determination to get his life on track by winning over Karen and Becca, two strong-minded individuals who refuse to tolerate his toxic behavior. Thanks to the conviction in Duchovny’s performance, you’re convinced that he’s actively fighting the demons inside his heart and soul to finally settle down. McElhone also shines as an aggrieved ex-girlfriend who can’t walk away from Hank, and she goes toe-to-toe with Duchovny in every scene, matching his grating persona with a steely defense. Both a raw family drama and a witty showbiz satire that unpacks the seedy side of Los Angeles, Californication will surprise you with its layered characterization that upends the norms for raunchy comedies set in a sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll culture.