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Run the World (TV series)

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Run the World
The promotional poster looks like a Polaroid picture. The four main characters, young Black women, are dressed stylishly and sitting on a bench smiling and posing together lovingly.
Promotional poster
GenreComedy
Created byLeigh Davenport
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes16
Production
Executive producers
Running time26–30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkStarz
ReleaseMay 16, 2021 (2021-05-16) –
July 14, 2023 (2023-07-14)

Run the World is an American comedy television series created by Leigh Davenport, who is co-executive producer with Yvette Lee Bowser. Set in Harlem, it centers on a group of friends (portrayed by Amber Stevens West, Andrea Bordeaux, Bresha Webb, and Corbin Reid) navigating relationships and the professional world. Run the World is produced by Bowser's SisterLee Productions and Lionsgate Television.

The eight-episode half-hour series premiered on Starz on May 16, 2021. It received positive reviews and holds a 100% rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.[1][2] In August 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on May 26, 2023.[3] In September 2023, the series was canceled after two seasons.[4]

Plot

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"Run the World is the story of a group of Black women – vibrant, fiercely loyal best friends – who work, live and play in Harlem as they strive for world domination. At its core, it's an unapologetically female show about enviable friendship and not only surviving – but thriving together."[5]

Cast

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Main

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  • Amber Stevens West as Whitney Green, a banker and people-pleasing type-A woman planning her wedding to her fiancé, Ola[6]
  • Andrea Bordeaux as Ella McFair (season 1), a writer in her early 30s adjusting to her new job at the website Hot Tea Digest, in the wake of an unsuccessful debut book release[1]
  • Bresha Webb as Renee Ross, a funny and audacious marketing professional in a deteriorating marriage[6]
  • Corbin Reid as Sondi Hill, a doctoral student in a clandestine relationship with her dissertation advisor, Matthewl[1]
  • Tosin Morohunfola[5] as Olabisi "Ola" Adeyemo,[2] a Nigerian-American physician and Whitney's fiancé
  • Stephen Bishop as Matthew Powell, a college professor, single father to his young daughter Amari, and Sondi's boyfriend and thesis advisor[1]

Recurring

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  • Erika Alexander[7] as Barb,[2] Ella's boss at the entertainment website Hot Tea Digest
  • Jay Walker as Jason, Renee's husband[5][8]
  • Nick Sagar[5] as Anderson
  • Ellie Reine as Amari Powell, Matthew's young daughter[9]
  • Tika Sumpter as Amari's biological mother back from duty with the Navy (season 2)[8]
  • Comedian CP as Preston Thurgood (season 2)[8]
  • Isha Blaaker as Philip Houston, Whitney's former business school rival (season 2)[8]

Guest

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Episodes

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
18May 16, 2021 (2021-05-16)July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11)
28May 26, 2023 (2023-05-26)July 14, 2023 (2023-07-14)

Season 1 (2021)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [11]Directed byWritten by [12]Original air date [11]U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Phenomenal Women"Millicent Shelton[13]Leigh DavenportMay 16, 2021 (2021-05-16)0.060[14]
22"Because... ADOS"Justin TippingLeigh DavenportMay 23, 2021 (2021-05-23)N/A
33"What a Co-inky-dick"Justin TippingLeigh DavenportMay 30, 2021 (2021-05-30)0.077[15]
44"I Love Harlem"Justin TippingLeigh DavenportJune 6, 2021 (2021-06-06)0.100[16]
55"Plus Ones"Jenée LaMarqueNjeri BrownJune 13, 2021 (2021-06-13)0.070[17]
66"My Therapist Says..."Nastaran DibaiNastaran DibaiJune 27, 2021 (2021-06-27)0.070[18]
77"What You Wish For"Jenée LaMarqueNiya PalmerJuly 4, 2021 (2021-07-04)N/A
88"Almost, Lady, Almost!"Jenée LaMarqueJess PinedaJuly 11, 2021 (2021-07-11)0.060[19]

Season 2 (2023)

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No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [11]Directed byWritten by [12]Original air date [11]U.S. viewers
(millions)
91"A Dream Deferred"Rachael HolderEster Lou WeithersMay 26, 2023 (2023-05-26)0.097[20]
102"Honeymoon's Over"Rachael HolderJenny LeeJune 2, 2023 (2023-06-02)0.063[21]
113"Back to Business"Princess MoniqueOwen H. SmithJune 9, 2023 (2023-06-09)0.025[22]
124"A Woman's Worth"Princess MoniqueKelechi UramaJune 16, 2023 (2023-06-16)0.043[23]
135"Homecoming"Nick WongJack ScaccoJune 23, 2023 (2023-06-23)0.068[24]
146"A New Hope"Nick WongJenny Lee & Michelle NationJune 30, 2023 (2023-06-30)0.039[25]
157"A Rage in Harlem"Nastaran DibaiRachelle Williams-BenaryJuly 7, 2023 (2023-07-07)0.097[26]
168"No Regrets"Nastaran DibaiEster Lou WeithersJuly 14, 2023 (2023-07-14)0.080[27]

Production

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Development

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On October 14, 2019, it was announced that Starz ordered Run the World, the half-hour comedy pilot series created and written by Boomerang writer Leigh Davenport.[6] She described the series as "a love letter to Black women and a love letter to Harlem."[28] Davenport loosely based the series on her time living in Harlem, where she resided for 12 years working in media.[29][30] She wanted the series to depict a group of well-rounded, supportive friends, in part to contrast the "skewed" representations of Black womanhood on popular reality television shows.[29][30] While living in Harlem, she wrote the script for Run the World with no previous screenwriting experience, and continued to revise it over the course of a decade.[30] In 2017 she moved to Los Angeles to pursue writing full-time.[30] Eventually, the series was greenlit by Starz.[30]

The series is produced by SisterLee Productions and Lionsgate Television, through Living Single creator Yvette Lee Bowser's overall deal.[6] Davenport is co-executive producer with season one showrunner Bowser.[6] Millicent Shelton is the pilot episode director.[13] Additional directors include Justin Tipping, Jenée LaMarque, and Nastran Dibai.[5] The show's stylists are Patricia Field (known for her work on Sex and the City) and Tracy L. Cox.[10]

Starz ordered the pilot to series on January 30, 2020.[13] On August 27, 2021, Starz renewed the series for a second season and it was announced that Rachelle Williams BenAry joined the series as showrunner, while Bowser remained as co-executive producer.[3]

On September 25, 2023, Starz canceled the series after two seasons.[4]

Casting

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The casting of Amber Stevens West and Bresha Webb as series regulars was announced on October 14, 2019.[6] The casting of additional lead cast members Corbin Reid, Stephen Bishop, and Andrea Bordeaux was announced on October 31, 2019.[1] Erika Alexander, who starred in Bowser's series Living Single, was announced as a recurring cast member on November 2, 2020.[7] Additional main cast member Tosin Morohunfola, recurring cast members Nick Sagar and Jay Walker, and guest Tonya Pinkins were announced on December 1, 2020.[5] Rosie O'Donnell was cast as a therapist but was not announced until reviews of the show were released.[31]

On February 4, 2022, Deadline reported that Bordeaux chose to leave the series due to the mandate that the cast and crew be vaccinated against COVID-19. Bordeaux disputed those reports and stated that she was fired for refusing to comply with the vaccine mandate.[32] The role of Ella McFair would not be recast.[32]

Additional cast members for season 2 were announced on April 28, 2022; Tika Sumpter, Comedian CP, and Isha Blaaker joined in recurring roles. Cree Summer and Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins were announced as guest stars.[8]

Filming

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The production started filming as of October 29, 2020, on-location in Harlem and other locations around New York City.[33]

Release

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An official teaser trailer was released on December 1, 2020, and the official trailer was released April 8, 2021.[5] The series premiered on Starz on May 16, 2021, in the United States and Canada.[5] Season two premiered on May 26, 2023.[34]

Reception

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Critical reception

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Run the World received critical acclaim. The first season holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on eight critics' reviews, with an average rating of 7.7/10.[35]

Caroline Framke of Variety wrote of the series: "In telling stories about relationship dynamics and women staring down their thirties with a thrill of apprehension and determination, “Run the World” is telling timeless stories with its own vibrant spin."[10] Critics noted similarities to the structure of Sex and the City as a show centering a group of fashionable friends in New York, but according to Kellie Carter Jackson of the New York Times, "that's where the similarities end. The essential fifth friend in "Run the World" is Harlem, and whether the four friends of "Run the World" are drinking nutcrackers from bodegas, shopping at the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market for African prints or accepting a plate at a street barbecue, they exude the ease of belonging to a Black community."[28] Inkoo Kang of The Hollywood Reporter described the show as "Fizzy yet substantial, Run the World offers exactly the feeling you'd want while catching up with an old friend over cocktails: It's giddy, gossipy and gladdening."[31] Aramide Tinibu of The A.V. Club rated the show a B+ and wrote positively of the relationships between the women: "They lean into one another for a warm embrace or sometimes even a quippy admonishment...There's a familiarity and a tenderness that runs through their relationships...they voice their realistic and relevant opinions about each other's lives—welcomed or otherwise—out of a desire to see each other thrive."[36]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
2021 Black Reel Awards for Television Outstanding Comedy Series Yvette Lee Bowser Nominated [37][38]
Outstanding Actress, Comedy Series Bresha Webb Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actress, Comedy Series Erika Alexander Won
Women's Image Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Run the World Won [39][40]
Outstanding Show Produced By a Woman Yvette Lee Bowser (for "Phenomenal Women") Nominated
Outstanding Film or Show Written By a Woman Leigh Davenport (for "Phenomenal Women") Nominated
Outstanding Actress Comedy Series Bresha Webb (for "Phenomenal Women") Won
Gotham Awards Breakthrough Series – Short Format Run the World Nominated [41]
2022 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Comedy Series Run the World Nominated [42]
Outstanding Guest Performance Erika Alexander Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Pedersen, Erik (October 31, 2019). "'Run The World': Corbin Reid & Andrea Bordeaux Set As Leads In Starz Comedy Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "STARZ Releases Official Trailer For Leigh Davenport's 'Run The World'". Essence. April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Petski, Denise (August 27, 2021). "'Run The World' Renewed For Season 2 By Starz With Rachelle Williams As New Showrunner". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (September 25, 2023). "Heels, Run the World, Blindspotting Canceled at Starz; Venery of Samantha Bird Not Moving Forward (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Mangum, Trey (December 1, 2020). "'Run The World' Trailer: Starz's Harlem-Set Comedy On Four Friends From 'Living Single' Creator". shadowandact.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Andreeva, Nellie (October 14, 2019). "Starz Orders 'Run the World' Comedy Pilot Starring Amber Stevens West & Bresha Webb From Yvette Lee Bowser". Deadline. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  7. ^ a b Wills, Cortney (November 2, 2020). "Erika Alexander reuniting with Yvette Lee Bowser for 'Run the World'". The Grio. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g Rose, Niko (April 28, 2022). "Starz's 'Run The World' Adds Tika Sumpter, Cree Summer And 3 More To Season 2 Cast". Shadow and Act. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  9. ^ Hailu, Selome (April 27, 2022). "'Run the World' at Starz Adds Five to Season 2 Cast (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c Framke, Caroline (May 15, 2021). "'Run the World' is Smart, Vibrant Update of NYC Relationship Dramedies: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d "Run the World – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Run the World". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  13. ^ a b c Petski, Denise (January 30, 2020). "Starz Picks Up 'Run The World' Comedy Pilot To Series". Deadline. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  14. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 16th May 2021 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  15. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 1, 2021). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.30.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  16. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 6th June 2021 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
  17. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 13th June 2021 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  18. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 27th June 2021 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. June 30, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  19. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 11th July 2021 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. July 14, 2021. Retrieved July 14, 2021.
  20. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (May 30, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Friday 5.26.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  21. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 5, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Friday 6.2.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  22. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 9th June 2023 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. June 12, 2023. Retrieved June 12, 2023.
  23. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 16th June 2023 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  24. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 23rd June 2023 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  25. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 30th June 2023 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  26. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 7th July 2023 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. July 11, 2023. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  27. ^ "TV Ratings for Friday 14th July 2023 - Network Prelims and Finals Posted". SpoilerTV. July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  28. ^ a b Jackson, Kellie Carter (May 16, 2021). "Opinion | Hollywood Has Finally Deemed Black Women Worthy of Feel-Good TV". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  29. ^ a b Garcia-Navarro, Lulu (May 16, 2021). "Leigh Davenport's On Friendship, Race And Feminism In 'Run The World'". NPR. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  30. ^ a b c d e "Leigh Davenport's 'Run the World' Is a Dose of Essential Black Joy". W Magazine. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  31. ^ a b Kang, Inkoo (May 15, 2021). "Starz's 'Run the World': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  32. ^ a b White, Abbey (February 5, 2022). "Andrea Bordeaux Says She "Was Fired" From 'Run the World' Over Vaccine Mandate". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
  33. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (October 29, 2020). "'Run The World': Erika Alexander Joins Cast As Recurring; Starz Comedy Begins Production In Harlem". Deadline. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  34. ^ Jones, Monique. "'Run The World' Season 2: First-Look Images Show Bresha Webb, Corbin Reid And Amber Stevens West Back In Harlem". Shadow and Act. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  35. ^ "Rotten Tomatoes Run the World". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  36. ^ Tinibu, Aramide (May 11, 2021). "Starz's Run The World showcases the power of Black female friendship". TV Club. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  37. ^ ""Love" Reigns Supreme!". Black Reel Awards. August 15, 2021. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  38. ^ "Plenty of "Love" in the Heart of the Country". Black Reel Awards. June 17, 2021. Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  39. ^ "WIN Announces its 23rd Women's Image Awards Television & Film Winners" (PDF). The Women's Image Awards. October 15, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  40. ^ Montpelier, Rachel (August 19, 2021). ""Black Widow," "Respect," and "Mrs. America" Among Women's Image Award Nominees". Women and Hollywood. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  41. ^ Sharf, Zack (October 21, 2021). "Gotham Awards 2021 Nominations: 'Pig,' 'Green Knight,' 'Passing' Compete for Best Feature". IndieWire. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  42. ^ Lewis, Hilary (January 18, 2022). "NAACP Image Awards: 'Harder They Fall,' 'Insecure' Lead Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
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