United States of Al

UNITED STATES OF AL stars ADHIR KALYAN and PARKER YOUNG in a comedy about the friendship between Riley (Young), a Marine combat veteran struggling to readjust to civilian life in Ohio, and Awalmir (“Al”) (Kalyan), the interpreter who served with his unit in Afghanistan and has just arrived to start a new life in America. The series also stars ELIZABETH ALDERFER as Lizzie, Riley’s sister; DEAN NORRIS as Art, Riley’s father; KELLI GOSS as Vanessa, Riley’s ex-wife; and FARRAH MACKENZIE as Hazel, Riley and Vanessa’s daughter. In the premiere episode, Riley is home at last after serving in Afghanistan and happily reunited with his friend, Awalmir, who goes by Al, after a long struggle to get him a visa to travel to the United States from Afghanistan.

Al uses his skills as a translator to try and repair the tense relationship between Riley and his estranged wife, Vanessa. Also, Lizzie is heartbroken when she is at a party and loses her late fiancé’s dogtags.

Al becomes flustered when he goes to the DMV to take his driver’s license test and the female instructor is wearing shorts – something he’s unaccustomed to seeing.

Exasperated by Riley’s parenting style with Hazel, Al attempts to teach her to be more deferential to her elders. Meanwhile, Riley contemplates taking over the family business from his father.

Riley, Art and Vanessa attempt to help Al feel better when he becomes homesick for his family and traditions.

When Art asks Riley and Al to make speeches at a fundraiser for interpreters that are waiting for visas, Riley has a hard time accepting the attention. Riley also comes face-to-face with Vanessa’s boyfriend.

After Al and Riley negotiate a deal for Al’s new car, they learn the hard way that they are not adept at finances and contracts. RIKI LINDHOME guest stars as Chloe, a persuasive car salesperson they meet at the dealership.

Al meets Ariana (guest star AZITA GHANIZADA), an Afghan woman he wants to date, but is dismayed to learn she has a negative opinion of Afghan interpreters who worked for the U.S.

When Hazel starts planning her eleventh birthday party, she learns that Al doesn’t know when his birthday is, so she invites him to share the day with her. Also, Riley tries to find a way to deal with Vanessa’s new boyfriend.

Al and Riley get the sense that Art might be lonely and missing his late wife, so they play matchmaker for him.

Al fears the worst when he doesn’t hear from his family in Afghanistan for a few days. Also, Riley realizes how hard it must have been for his own family while he was deployed.

Riley and Hazel bring home a lost dog with the hopes of keeping him, which doesn’t sit well with Al. Also, Art goes on his first date with Lois (guest star RACHEL BAY JONES).

In the season one finale, Al and Vanessa team up to convince Riley to accept the help and benefits he earned for his military service, so he can be in good health and embrace the next chapter in his life with his family.