Dare Me (TV series)
{{short description|American teen drama television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Dare Me (TV series) Title Card.jpg
| image_alt =
| genre = {{Plainlist|
}}
| developer = Megan Abbott & Gina Fattore
| based_on = {{based on|Dare Me|Megan Abbott}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
- Willa Fitzgerald
- Herizen Guardiola
- Marlo Kelly
- Rob Heaps
- Zach Roerig
- Paul Fitzgerald
- Alison Thornton
}}
| narrated = Herizen Guardiola
| composer = Jonathan Sanford
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 10
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Steph Green (pilot)
- Karen Rosenfelt
- Sarah Condon
- Peter Berg
- Michael Lombardo
- Megan Abbott
- Gina Fattore
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Dan Kaplow
- Ariel Schrag
- Jamie Rosengard
}}
| cinematography =
| editor =
| runtime = 42–52 minutes{{cite web|url=https://www.fubo.tv/lp/series/17572093/|title=Dare Me|website=FuboTV|access-date=January 26, 2020}}
| company = {{Plainlist|
- Megan Abbott
- Drowning Girl Productions
- Fair Harbor Productions
- Film 44
- Universal Content Productions
}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|2019|12|29}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2020|3|8}}
| network = USA Network
| channel =
}}
Dare Me is an American teen drama{{cite magazine|last=Fienberg|first=Daniel|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/dare-me-review-1264995|title='Dare Me': TV Review|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|date=December 29, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417052240/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/dare-me-review-1264995|archive-date=April 17, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Bell|first=Sadie|url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/dare-me-review-usa-series|title='Dare Me' Is an Absolutely Insane TV Thriller About Cheerleaders and Murder|website=Thrillist|date=March 10, 2020|access-date=April 16, 2020}} mystery{{cite web|last=Aridi|first=Sara|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/29/arts/television/dare-me-flirty-dancing.html|title=What's on TV Sunday: 'Dare Me' and 'Flirty Dancing'|work=The New York Times|date=December 29, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2020|url-access=limited|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416055431/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/29/arts/television/dare-me-flirty-dancing.html|archive-date=April 16, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|last=Bucksbaum|first=Sydney|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/12/27/dare-me-megan-abbott-willa-fitzgerald-preview/|title=Dare Me creator and star talk revealing the darker reality of cheerleading in new USA drama|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=December 27, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407114705/https://ew.com/tv/2019/12/27/dare-me-megan-abbott-willa-fitzgerald-preview/|archive-date=April 7, 2020|url-status=live}} thriller{{cite web|last=Upadhyaya|first=Kayla Kumari|url=https://www.avclub.com/destruction-and-obsession-tangle-in-an-arresting-dance-1840313472|title=Destruction and obsession tangle in an arresting dance in cheerleading thriller Dare Me|website=The A.V. Club|date=December 23, 2019|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418115221/https://tv.avclub.com/destruction-and-obsession-tangle-in-an-arresting-dance-1840313472|archive-date=April 18, 2020|url-status=live}} television series based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Megan Abbott, co-developed with Gina Fattore. The series was picked up in late January 2019 and premiered on USA Network on December 29, 2019. In April 2020, USA Network canceled the series after one season.
Premise
Dare Me follows the lives of competitive high school cheerleaders in a small Midwestern town. The cheerleaders become entangled in a series of dark secrets after their new coach Colette French takes over the squad.{{cite web | url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/dare-me-review-usa-series | title='Dare Me' is an Absolutely Insane TV Thriller About Cheerleaders and Murder | date=March 10, 2020 }}
Cast and characters
=Main=
- Willa Fitzgerald as Coach Colette French, Sutton Grove High School's new cheerleading coach
- Herizen Guardiola as Addy Hanlon, a cheerleader at Sutton Grove High School
- Marlo Kelly as Beth Cassidy, Addy's best friend and the captain of the cheer squad until Coach French eliminates the position
- Rob Heaps as Matt French, Colette's husband and a project manager at Eagle Investments who is working on Sutton Grove High School's new stadium
- Zach Roerig as Sergeant Will Mosley, a local recruiter for the U.S. Marine Corps who is having an affair with Colette
- Paul Fitzgerald as Bert Cassidy, Beth's estranged father and the president of a real estate company named Eagle Investments
- Alison Thornton as Tacy Cassidy,{{Cite web|url=https://www.usanetwork.com/dare-me/cast|title=Cast & Info {{!}} Dare Me|website=USA Network|language=en|access-date=January 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228162522/https://www.usanetwork.com/dare-me/cast|archive-date=December 28, 2019|url-status=live}} Beth's half-sister, and a freshman cheerleader on Sutton Grove High School's squad
=Recurring=
- Antonio J. Bell as Michael Slocum, Addy's friend
- Amanda Brugel as Faith Hanlon, Addy's single mother who is a police officer
- Tammy Blanchard as Lana Cassidy, Beth's mother
- Tamberla Perry as J.J. Curtis, one of the local cheerleader boosters, and RiRi's mother
- Adrian Walters as Jimmy Tibbs
- Chris Zylka as Corporal Kurtz, a subordinate Marine recruiter of Will
- Taveeta Szymanowicz as RiRi Curtis, a fellow member of the cheerleading team, and Addy and Beth's friend, and J.J.'s daughter
- Brittany Raymond as Cori Ross, a fellow member of the cheerleading team
- Erika Prevost as Brianna Bradley, a fellow member of the cheerleading team
Episodes
{{Episode table |background=#CE7DFD |overall= |title= |titleR= |director= |writer= |airdate= |airdateR={{cite web|url= https://tvlistings.zap2it.com/overview.html?programSeriesId=SH03355606|title=Dare Me|work=Zap2It|access-date=February 23, 2020}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} |viewers= |country=U.S |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|Title = Coup d'État
|DirectedBy = Steph Green
|WrittenBy = Megan Abbott & Gina Fattore
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|12|29}}{{efn|name=OnlinePremiere|The episode was first released online on December 19, 2019.{{cite tweet|user=USA_Network|author=USA Network|number=1207729112166498304|title=Coach Colette French won't quit until her squad wins regionals. Watch the first episode of #DareMeTV before its premiere: https://usanet.tv/WatchDareMe|date=December 19, 2019|access-date=December 19, 2019}}}}
|Viewers = 0.600{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-12-29-2019.html|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.29.2019|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=December 31, 2019|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=December 31, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231160611/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-sunday-cable-originals-network-finals-12-29-2019.html|archive-date=December 31, 2019|url-status=dead}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|Title = Mutually Assured Destruction
|DirectedBy = Jamie Travis
|WrittenBy = Megan Abbott & Gina Fattore
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|1|5}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|Title = Surrender at Discretion
|DirectedBy = Lauren Wolkstein
|WrittenBy = Ariel Schrag
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|1|12}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|Title = Rapprochement
|DirectedBy = Marisol Adler
|WrittenBy = Jamie Rosengard
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|1|19}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|Title = Parallel Trenches
|DirectedBy = Olivia Newman
|WrittenBy = Lisa Lutz
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|1|26}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|Title = Code Red
|DirectedBy = Josephine Decker
|WrittenBy = Danielle Henderson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|2|9}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|Title = Scorched Earth
|DirectedBy = Bronwen Hughes
|WrittenBy = Joe Johnson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|2|16}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|Title = Containment
|DirectedBy = Justin Tipping
|WrittenBy = Cathryn Humphris
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|2|23}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|Title = Fog of War
|DirectedBy = Megan Griffiths
|WrittenBy = Lisa Lutz
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|3|1}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|Title = Shock & Awe
|DirectedBy = Jamie Travis
|WrittenBy = Megan Abbott & Gina Fattore
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2020|3|8}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = CE7DFD
}}
}}
Production
=Development=
On January 28, 2019, the production had been given a series order.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cheerleading-drama-dare-me-ordered-series-at-usa-1180052|title=Cheerleading Drama 'Dare Me' Ordered to Series at USA|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|date=January 28, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623095432/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/cheerleading-drama-dare-me-ordered-series-at-usa-1180052|archive-date=June 23, 2019|url-status=live}} The writer of the novel, Megan Abbott, is expected to executive produce alongside Gina Fattore, Peter Berg, Michael Lombardo, Sarah Condon, and Karen Rosenfelt.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/dare-me-megan-abbott-usa-network-series-1203120403/|title=USA Network Orders Drama Based on High School Cheerleading Novel 'Dare Me'|website=Variety|first=Joe|last=Otterson|date=January 28, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806070150/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/dare-me-megan-abbott-usa-network-series-1203120403/|archive-date=August 6, 2019|url-status=live}} Production companies involved with the series were slated to include Universal Cable Productions and Film 44.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/dare-me-usa-series-order-netflix-international-distributor-co-licensing-1202543185/|title='Dare Me' Gets USA Series Order With Netflix Coming In As International Distributor|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|date=January 28, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102001127/https://deadline.com/2019/01/dare-me-usa-series-order-netflix-international-distributor-co-licensing-1202543185/|archive-date=November 2, 2019|url-status=live}} On November 8, 2019, it was announced that the series would premiere on December 29, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2019/11/08/halo-danny-sapani-cast-showtime-videogame-series/|title=TVLine Items: Halo Taps Penny Dreadful Alum, Legacies Promotion and More|website=TVLine|first=Vlada|last=Gelman|date=November 8, 2019|access-date=November 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218205501/https://tvline.com/2019/11/08/halo-danny-sapani-cast-showtime-videogame-series/|archive-date=December 18, 2019|url-status=live}} On April 30, 2020, the series was canceled after one season. However, Megan Abbott and Gina Fatore plan to shop the series to other networks.{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2020/04/30/dare-me-cancelled-season-2-usa-network/|title=Dare Me Cancelled After 1 Season|work=TVLine|first=Andy|last=Swift|date=April 30, 2020|access-date=May 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523220021/https://tvline.com/2020/04/30/dare-me-cancelled-season-2-usa-network/|archive-date=May 23, 2020|url-status=live}}
=Casting=
On July 25, 2018, Willa Fitzgerald, Herizen Guardiola, and Marlo Kelly were cast in starring roles in the pilot.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/dare-me-willa-fitzgerald-herizen-guardiola-marlo-kelly-star-usa-pilot-1202433698/|title='Dare Me': Willa Fitzgerald, Herizen Guardiola & Marlo Kelly To Star In USA Pilot|first1=Nellie|last1=Andreeva|date=July 25, 2018|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613171415/https://deadline.com/2018/07/dare-me-willa-fitzgerald-herizen-guardiola-marlo-kelly-star-usa-pilot-1202433698/|archive-date=June 13, 2019|url-status=live}} On August 14, 2018, Rob Heaps, Zach Roerig, and Paul Fitzgerald joined the main cast, while Joyful Drake, Tammy Blanchard, Antonio J. Bell, Alison Thornton, and Tamberla Perry were set to recur.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/dare-me-rob-heaps-zach-roerig-paul-fitzgerald-among-seven-cast-in-usa-pilot-1202445106/|title='Dare Me': Rob Heaps, Zach Roerig & Paul Fitzgerald Among Eight Cast In USA Pilot|first1=Denise|last1=Petski|date=August 14, 2018|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=June 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626000818/https://deadline.com/2018/08/dare-me-rob-heaps-zach-roerig-paul-fitzgerald-among-seven-cast-in-usa-pilot-1202445106/|archive-date=June 26, 2019|url-status=live}} On May 29, 2019, Chris Zylka and Taveeta Syzmanowicz were cast in recurring roles.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/dare-me-chris-zylka-taveeta-syzmanowicz-recur-usa-network-series-1202603188/|title='Dare Me': Chris Zylka & Taveeta Syzmanowicz To Recur In USA Network Series|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=April 29, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood|language=en|access-date=July 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729103859/https://deadline.com/2019/04/dare-me-chris-zylka-taveeta-syzmanowicz-recur-usa-network-series-1202603188/|archive-date=July 29, 2019|url-status=live}} On August 7, 2019, Adrian Walters and Amanda Brugel joined the cast in recurring capacities.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/dare-me-adrian-walters-amanda-brugel-recur-usa-network-series-1202662961/|title='Dare Me': Adrian Walters & Amanda Brugel To Recur In USA Network Series|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=August 7, 2019|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205020416/https://deadline.com/2019/08/dare-me-adrian-walters-amanda-brugel-recur-usa-network-series-1202662961/|archive-date=December 5, 2019|url-status=live}} Alison Thornton was promoted to series regular in the second episode of the first season.
=Filming=
Principal photography for the first season began on April 22, 2019 and concluded on August 6, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.{{cite web |title=Current Productions {{!}} IATSE 873 |url=https://www.iatse873.com/current_productions |website=IATSE 873 |access-date=June 23, 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190623191532/https://www.iatse873.com/current_productions|archive-date=June 23, 2019}}
Reception
=Critical response=
Dare Me received generally favorable reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 85% with an average rating of 7.3/10, based on 27 reviews from critics. The website's critical consensus reads, "Visceral, if at times vapid, Dare Me{{'s}} slow-burning thriller pairs nicely with its moody atmospherics to create a deft exploration of the interiority of teen life."{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/dare_me/s01|title=Dare Me: Season 1 (2019)|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=September 12, 2022}}{{cbignore}}< On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/dare-me/season-1|title=Dare Me: Season 1|website=Metacritic|access-date=April 4, 2020}}{{cbignore}}<
=Ratings=
{{Television episode ratings
| width = 99
| noshare = y
| title1 = Coup d'État
| date1 = December 29, 2019
| rs1 = 0.2
| dvr1 = 0.1
| dvrv1 = 0.257
| total1 = 0.3
| title2 = Mutually Assured Destruction
| date2 = January 5, 2020
| rs2 = 0.1
| dvr2 = 0.1
| dvrv2 = 0.206
| total2 = 0.2
| title3 = Surrender at Discretion
| date3 = January 12, 2020
| rs3 = 0.1
| dvr3 = 0.1
| dvrv3 = 0.274
| total3 = 0.2
| title4 = Rapprochement
| date4 = January 19, 2020
| rs4 = 0.1
| dvr4 = 0.1
| dvrv4 = 0.262
| total4 = 0.2
| title5 = Parallel Trenches
| date5 = January 26, 2020
| rs5 = 0.1
| dvr5 = 0.1
| dvrv5 = 0.254
| total5 = 0.2
| title6 = Code Red
| date6 = February 9, 2020
| rs6 = 0.1
| dvr6 = 0.1
| dvrv6 = 0.218
| total6 = 0.2
| title7 = Scorched Earth
| date7 = February 16, 2020
| rs7 = 0.1
| dvr7 = 0.1
| dvrv7 = 0.218
| total7 = 0.2
| title8 = Containment
| date8 = February 23, 2020
| rs8 = 0.1
| dvr8 = 0.1
| dvrv8 = 0.283
| total8 = 0.2
| title9 = Fog of War
| date9 = March 1, 2020
| rs9 = 0.1
| dvr9 = 0.1
| dvrv9 = 0.265
| total9 = 0.2
| title10 = Shock & Awe
| date10 = March 8, 2020
| rs10 = 0.1
| dvr10 =
| dvrv10 =
| total10 =
| totalv10 =
}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title}}
{{USANetwork Shows}}
Category:2010s American high school television series
Category:2010s American mystery television series
Category:2010s American teen drama television series
Category:2019 American television series debuts
Category:2020 American television series endings
Category:2020s American high school television series
Category:2020s American mystery television series
Category:2020s American teen drama television series
Category:Television shows about adultery
Category:American thriller television series
Category:Cheerleading television series
Category:American English-language television shows
Category:Television shows based on American novels
Category:American television series about teenagers