# The Mysteries of Laura (2014)

> A television writer and single mother juggles a demanding career, a chaotic family, and a boss who is a little too close to her life.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/54716

## Facts

- Seasons: 2
- Episodes: 38
- Episode runtime: 42 min
- Status: Canceled
- Genres: crime, comedy
- Created by: Jeff Rake
- Network: NBC
- Cast: Debra Messing, Josh Lucas, Laz Alonso, Janina Gavankar, Max Jenkins, Callie Thorne, Sid O'Connell, Colin Donnell
- TMDB rating: 6.8/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3187578/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: mild
- Tone: comedic, warm, brisk

## What critics say

Critics broadly found The Mysteries of Laura a pleasant, lightweight procedural whose appeal rests on Debra Messing's lead performance and its working-mother premise, but faulted its formulaic structure and uneven second season.

## Synopsis

A warm, brisk comedy-drama follows a driven working mother who balances the demands of a high-pressure job with a noisy, loving household of children, parents and extended family. Its tone is light and comedic, foregrounding the everyday chaos of family life and the small triumphs and frustrations of juggling career ambition with parenthood. Workplace scenes add a crisp, fast-talking energy, while domestic scenes provide the emotional warmth and comic payoff. Viewers looking for an easygoing, feel-good watch with recognizable family dynamics and a lead performance carrying much of the charm will find it approachable. The show leans on relatable situations rather than heavy stakes, so it suits casual evenings and comfort viewing. Its humor is accessible and its sentiment earned without becoming saccharine, giving it a sense of familiarity that rewards steady, undemanding attention across its run.

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Site overview: https://ember.film/llms.txt