Games People Play is an American drama television series, based on the novel Games Divas Play written by Angela Burt-Murray, that premiered on April 23, 2019, on BET.[1]
April 23, 2019 (2019-04-23) – December 21, 2021 (2021-12-21)
On November 13, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 19, 2021.[2]
Premiseedit
Games People Play takes place "inside the high-stakes world of professional sports where everyone plays to win. With an ensemble cast of dynamic characters including an ambitious reporter, a millionaire basketball player, a desperate housewife, a scandalous groupie, and a murderous stalker, the series follows three women Nia, Vanessa and Laila and the men in their lives. In a ruthless battle for success, these women's passions and motivations are seldom altruistic, but their life choices and drive will determine what it really takes to stay on top."[3]
Castedit
Mainedit
Lauren London as Vanessa King, a desperate basketball wife trying to protect her family[4][5]
Karen Obilom as Nia Bullock, a tenacious reporter struggling to rebuild her tarnished career and Vanessa's closest friend and confidente[4]
Sarunas Jackson as Marques King, a professional basketball all star, who played for New York Gladiators, but traded to the Los Angeles Vipers, is married to Vanessa
Jackie Long as Kareem Johnson, Marcus' best friend and assistant, who was a former basketball star for the Gladiators and a college basketball standout
Kendall Kyndall as Marquis "MJ" Jackson, Nia's assistant and best friend (season 2; recurring season 1)[5]
Karrueche Tran as Eden Lazlo, the daughter of the Los Angeles Vipers owner and the newly named VP of basketball operations, who further complicates Marcus' love life (season 2)[5]
Brandi Denise as Quanisha
Recurringedit
Barry Brewer as Eric Rowland, Nia's live-in boyfriend, an IT nerd who is a basketball all-star captain
Morgan Walsh as Ginger Gates
Monti Washington as Terrence Abrams, Nia's ex-boyfriend and a City of Los Angeles police chief, who wants to pick up where they left off when Nia moves to Los Angeles
On April 17, 2018, it was announced that BET had the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes. Executive producers were set to include Tracey Edmonds, Angela Burt-Murray, and Vanessa Middleton, who was also expected to act as showrunner. Production companies involved with the series were slated to consist of Edmonds Entertainment.[3][30] On December 6, 2018, it was reported that Middleton would write the pilot episode of the series and serve as a co-showrunner alongside Kim Newton, who will also executive produce.[31] On January 31, 2019, it was announced that the series had been retitled Games People Play.[32] On April 1, 2019, it was announced that the series will premiere on April 23, 2019.[1]
On November 13, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 19, 2021.[33]
Castingedit
On December 6, 2018, it was announced that Lauren London, Parker McKenna Posey, and Karen Obilom had been cast in leading roles.[31] On January 31, 2019, it was reported that Sarunas J. Jackson and Jackie Long had joined the main cast and that Barry Brewer and Kendall Kyndall would appear in a recurring capacity.[32]
On September 10, 2020, it was announced that Karrueche Tran will join the series for Season 2. It was also announced that Lauren London will appear in a limited role and Kendall Kyndall will join the main cast.[5]
Filmingedit
Principal photography for the series commenced on November 29, 2018, in Los Angeles, California.[31]
Referencesedit
^ ab"As One Saga Ends, Another Begins During a Monumental Tuesday Night on BET". BET (Press release). April 1, 2019 – via The Futon Critic.
^"This Fall BET and BET+'s Programming Slates Are Jam-Packed with Over 25 New Originals, Returning Favorites, Movies, and Specials, Solidifying Their Position as the Home Where Black Culture Lives". BET (Press release). September 21, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
^ abPedersen, Erik (April 17, 2018). "BET's 2018-19 Slate Features New Scripted Shows, Docuseries, Specials & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
^ abcde"Games People Play (TV Series 2019-)". IMDb. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
^ abcd"Karrueche Tran to Star in Season Two of BET's "Games People Play"". BET (Press release). September 10, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
^Randolph, Elizabeth (2022-05-21). "Marlo Hampton Made Her Acting Debut Before Securing Her Peach". Distractify. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
^"BET's 'Games People Play' Rounds Out Season 2 Cast With Brandi Denise". BET. ViacomCBS. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
^Metcalf, Mitch (April 24, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.23.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on April 24, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (May 1, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.30.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (May 8, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.7.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (May 15, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.14.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (May 22, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.21.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 23, 2019. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (May 29, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.28.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (June 5, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.4.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 5, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (June 12, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.11.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 14, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (June 19, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.18.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
^Metcalf, Mitch (June 26, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.25.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on June 26, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
^ ab"Games People Play – Season 2 Listings". Zap2It. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
^ ab"Shows A-Z – Games People Play on BET". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
^Goldberg, Lesley (April 17, 2018). "BET Upfront Slate Features 'Dream Team,' '90s Girl Group Docuseries". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
^ abcPetski, Denise (December 6, 2018). "'Games Divas Play': Lauren London, Parker McKenna Posey & Karen Obilom To Star In Tracey Edmonds' BET Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
^ abPetski, Denise (January 31, 2019). "'Games People Play': Sarunas J. Jackson & Jackie Long To Star In BET Drama Series; Barry Brewer, Kendall Kyndall To Recur". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
^"BET Networks Announces Second Season Pick up for Its Bold and Sexy Scripted Series "Games People Play"". BET (Press release). November 13, 2019 – via The Futon Critic.