Cancer patient Scott Perry worries about his five children growing up without his help and advice. He and his wife Robin recruit three friends to act as a "council of dads" to be father figures to his children.[5] Scott dies and his loved ones form an expanded chosen family.
Clive Standen as Anthony Lavelle,[6] Scott's best friend, a chef and a member of the council of dads as well as Luly's biological father, unknown to Luly or the rest of the family
J. August Richards as Dr. Oliver Post,[6] Robin's best friend since medical school and a member of the council of dads.
Michele Weaver as Luly Perry,[6] Anthony's biracial daughter, whom Scott raised as a single father for eight years (thinking she was his daughter) before meeting Robin
Emjay Anthony as Theo Perry,[6] Scott and Robin's temperamental teenage son
Thalia Tran as Charlotte Perry,[6] Scott and Robin's adopted daughter, who is of Chinese ancestry
Scott Perry discovers he has terminal cancer and decides to try to secure a future for his children. He asks three of his closest friends to form a "council of dads" that will look after his family and be father figures for his children in the event of his passing. The council of dads consists of Anthony Lavelle, Scott's best friend; Oliver Post, his wife Robin's best friend; and Larry Mills, Scott's AA sponsor.
On January 14, 2019, it was announced that NBC had given the production a pilot order under the name Council of Dads. The pilot was written by Joan Rater and Tony Phelan who executive produces alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, Jonathan Littman, KristieAnne Reed and producers are James Oh, Bruce Feiler.[19] Production companies involved with the pilot include Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Midwest Livestock Productions and Universal Television.[20] On May 7, 2019, it was announced that the production had been given a series order.[5] A few days later, it was announced that the series would premiere as a mid-season replacement in the spring of 2020.[21] On January 11, 2020, it was announced that the series would premiere on March 10, 2020.[2] On February 26, 2020, the premiere date was moved to March 24, 2020.[3] On June 25, 2020, NBC canceled the series after one season.[4]
OnRotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 50% based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Council of Dads's talented cast tries its best, but its first season is too superficial to make the emotional moves necessary to really connect."[26]OnMetacritic, it has a weighted average score of 53 out of 100 based on 5 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[27]
