Games People Play (2019 TV series)#Season 2 (2021)
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| genre = Sports drama
| creator =
| based_on = {{based on|Games Divas Play|Angela Burt-Murray}}
| director =
| writer =
| story =
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Lauren London
- Sarunas J. Jackson
- Parker McKenna Posey
- Karen Obilom
- Jackie Long
- Kendall Kyndall
- Karrueche Tran
- Brandi Denise
}}
| composer =
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 2
| num_episodes = 20
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Tracey Edmonds
- Angela Burt-Murray
- Vanessa Middleton
- Kim Newton
- Jazmyne Davis
}}
| producer =
| location =
| cinematography =
| editor =
| camera =
| runtime = 40–41 min.
| company = {{nowrap|Edmonds Entertainment}}
STX Entertainment
| network = BET
| first_aired = {{Start date|2019|04|23}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2021|12|21}}
}}
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.{{cite press release|title=As One Saga Ends, Another Begins During a Monumental Tuesday Night on BET|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/03/29/as-one-saga-ends-another-begins-during-a-monumental-tuesday-night-on-bet-109511/20190329bet01/|work=BET|via=The Futon Critic|date=April 1, 2019}}
On November 13, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 19, 2021.{{cite press release|title=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|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2021/09/21/this-fall-bet-and-betpluss-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-684110/20210921bet01/|work=BET|via=The Futon Critic|date=September 21, 2021|access-date=October 3, 2021}}
Premise
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."{{cite web|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|title=BET's 2018-19 Slate Features New Scripted Shows, Docuseries, Specials & More|url=https://deadline.com/2018/04/bet-slate-2019-archer-connection-finding-justice-dream-team-1202366507/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=April 18, 2018}}
Cast
=Main=
- Lauren London as Vanessa King, a desperate basketball wife trying to protect her family
- Karen Obilom as Nia Bullock, a tenacious reporter struggling to rebuild her tarnished career and Vanessa's closest friend and confidente{{cite web|title=Games People Play (TV Series 2019-)|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8319644/fullcredits|work=IMDb|access-date=August 30, 2019}}
- Parker McKenna Posey as Laila James, a scandalous groupie looking to become a star
- 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)
- 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)
- Gail Bean as Quanisha
=Recurring=
- 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
- Shaun Robinson as Kristen Kensington
- Rachel Leyco as Susie Q (A.K.A. Natasha), Laila's friend
- Ryan Paevey as Bryce Daniels, a Los Angeles Vipers fan
- Kevin McNamera as Coach Kelly Buxton, a coach
- Kevin Jackson as Jamal "The Criminal" Jerome, a thief and a drug dealer
- Vanessa Bell Calloway as Shelia
- Vanessa Simmons as Jackie Herman
- Alfredo Tavares as Keaun Stevenson, the coach for the Los Angeles Vipers
- Delvon Roe as Dante Herman, a college basketball player, professional basketball player and the husband of Jackie
- Phillip G. Carlson as Detective Anderson Loomis
- Ismeli Henriquez as Kalinda Walters
- Jack Merrill as Detective Frank Thrillin
- Tracy Melchior as Roxanne
- Chinedu Oji as Ceawen Maduenu, a basketball player for the Tulsa Tornado
- Momo Dione as Atebe Sekibo, a Nigerian Gangster
- Lourdes Gonzalez as Merlot
- Gail Bean as Quanisha
- Ben Shields as Gus, a reporter
- Mike Bash as Tony, a sports reporter
- Jerry Cummings (Frvrose) as Himothy "He-Man" Taylor, a basketball player for the Austin Stallions, traded to the LA Vipers
- Cynthia Bailey as Ndasia
- Ro Parrish as himself, a Vipers' NBA Commentator.
- Hitman Holla as Romello "Rome", the new cocky point guard traded to the Vipers
- Leon as Walter, Marques father
- Calvin Seabrooks as Andre, a successful ex from MJ's past
- Marlo Hampton as Monique, a friend of Vanessa King{{Cite web |last=Randolph |first=Elizabeth |date=2022-05-21 |title=Marlo Hampton Made Her Acting Debut Before Securing Her Peach |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/marlo-hampton-acting-career |access-date=2022-09-17 |website=Distractify |language=en-US}}
=Guest=
Partial list of guest by last name:
- Anisha Adusumilli as Anushka
- Terrah Bennett Smith as Rosalind Jackson
- Jennie Fahn as Janet, Vanessa's lawyer
- Giana Garcia as Deja
- Blaine Gray as Cameron Pike, a basketball player
- Jamaal Lewis as Handsom Manny
- John A. Lorenz as ADA Martin Escovedo
- Nazanin Mandi as Zara, wife to new Viper player Tyreck{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.bet.com/article/bf73v7/bet-s-games-people-play-rounds-out-season-2-cast|title=BET's 'Games People Play' Rounds Out Season 2 Cast With Brandi Denise|website=BET|publisher=ViacomCBS|access-date=April 13, 2021}}
- Aaron Marshall as Theodore Delano
- Alveraz Ricardez as Officer Mel Friendly
- Jeremie Rivers as Jebediah Hawthorne, a reverend
- Ron J. Rock as Jason Brown, a basketball player
- Greice Santo as Yoga Nanny
- Owen Saxon as Thomas, a trainer and a basketball player for the Los Angeles Vipers
- Marie Stark as Deanna George
- Norman Towns as Tyreck Woolridge, a basketball player for the Tulsa Tornado
- Shabnam Yusufzai as Ana Reyes, a housekeeper
- Zach Zublena as Jasper White, a basketball player for the Tulsa Tornado
Episodes
=Series overview=
{{Series overview
| color1 = #E8B063
| link1 = #Season 1 (2019)
| episodes1 = 10
| start1 = {{Start date|2019|04|23}}
| end1 = {{End date|2019|06|25}}
| color2 = #000000
| link2 = #Season 2
| episodes2 = 10
| start2 = {{Start date|2021|10|19}}
| end2 = {{End date|2021|12|21}}
}}
=Season 1 (2019)=
{{Episode table |background=#E8B063 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=22 |director=15 |writer=20 |airdate=15 |viewers=10 |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Pilot
|DirectedBy = Janice Cooke
|WrittenBy = Vanessa Middleton
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|04|23}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Lover's Moon
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Kim Newton
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|04|30}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = The Drink of Kings
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Stephen Godchaux
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|05|07}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = The Wrath of Grapes
|DirectedBy = Michael Grossman
|WrittenBy = Mike Flynn
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|05|14}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = To Live and Lie in LA
|DirectedBy = Michael Grossman
|WrittenBy = Theodore Witcher
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|05|21}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Reversal of Fortune
|DirectedBy = Janice Cooke
|WrittenBy = Sara Finney-Johnson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|05|28}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = Persons of Interests
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Vanessa Middleton & Sara Finney-Johnson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|06|04}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = A Wing and a Prayer
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = {{StoryTeleplay|s=Vanessa Middleton|t=Meagan Diane}}
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|06|11}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = The B' is Back
|DirectedBy = Janice Cooke
|WrittenBy = Theodore Witcher
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|06|18}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = The Way You Save
|DirectedBy = Janice Cooke
|WrittenBy = Vanessa Middleton
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|06|25}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = E8B063
}}
}}
=Season 2 (2021)=
{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall=5 |season=5 |title=22 |titleR= |director=15 |writer=20 |airdate=15 |airdateR={{cite web|title=Games People Play – Season 2 Listings|url=https://tvlistings.gracenote.com/overview-affiliates.html?programSeriesId=SH03194356&tabName=guide&season=2|website=Zap2It|access-date=December 2, 2021}}{{cite web |title=Shows A-Z – Games People Play on BET |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/games-people-play/listings/ |website=The Futon Critic |access-date=December 9, 2021}} |viewers=10 |country=U.S. |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = I Saw What You Did
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Vanessa Middleton
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|19}}
|Viewers = 0.48{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-10-19-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.19.2021 UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=October 20, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=October 20, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Gone Girl
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Theodore Witcher
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|10|26}}
|Viewers = 0.50{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-10-26-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.26.2021 UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=October 27, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=October 27, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 13
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Love and Basketball
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Ben Cory Jones
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|11|02}}
|Viewers = 0.46{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-11-2-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.2.2021 UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=November 3, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=November 3, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 14
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Lost and Found
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Sara Finney-Johnson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|11|09}}
|Viewers = 0.48{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-11-9-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.9.2021 UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=November 10, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=November 10, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 15
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = All In
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Meagan Daine
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|11|16}}
|Viewers = 0.45{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-11-16-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.16.2021 UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=November 17, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=November 17, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 16
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = The Game Catches Everyone
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Phonz Williams
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|11|23}}
|Viewers = 0.51{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-11-23-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 11.23.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=November 24, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=November 25, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 17
|EpisodeNumber2 = 7
|Title = There's No Place Like Home
|DirectedBy = Courtney Miller
|WrittenBy = Theodore Witcher
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|11|30}}
|Viewers = 0.56{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-11-30-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals-to-come.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 11.30.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATE #2|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=December 1, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=December 3, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 18
|EpisodeNumber2 = 8
|Title = Undercover Brother
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Vanessa Middleton & Meagan Daine
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|12|07}}
|Viewers = 0.48{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-12-7-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 12.7.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=December 8, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=December 9, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 19
|EpisodeNumber2 = 9
|Title = Truth and Consequences
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Sara Finney-Johnson
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|12|14}}
|Viewers = 0.57{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-12-14-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 12.14.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=December 15, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=December 17, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 20
|EpisodeNumber2 = 10
|Title = The Greater Good
|DirectedBy = Rob Morrow
|WrittenBy = Vanessa Middleton
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|12|21}}
|Viewers = 0.52{{cite web|url=https://showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-tuesday-12-21-2021-top-150-cable-originals-network-finals.html|title=SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 12.21.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=December 22, 2021|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=December 22, 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
}}
Production
=Development=
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.{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|title=BET Upfront Slate Features 'Dream Team,' '90s Girl Group Docuseries|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/bet-upfront-slate-features-dream-team-90s-girl-group-docuseries-1103510|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=April 17, 2018}} 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.{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|title='Games Divas Play': Lauren London, Parker McKenna Posey & Karen Obilom To Star In Tracey Edmonds' BET Drama Series|url=https://deadline.com/2018/12/games-divas-play-lauren-london-parker-mckenna-posey-karen-obilom-to-star-in-tracey-edmonds-bet-drama-series-1202514738/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 6, 2018|access-date=December 6, 2018}} On January 31, 2019, it was announced that the series had been retitled Games People Play.{{cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|title='Games People Play': Sarunas J. Jackson & Jackie Long To Star In BET Drama Series; Barry Brewer, Kendall Kyndall To Recur|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/games-people-play-sarunas-j-jackson-jackie-long-to-star-in-bet-drama-series-barry-brewer-kendall-kyndall-to-recur-1202545474/|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=January 31, 2019|access-date=January 31, 2019}} On April 1, 2019, it was announced that the series will premiere on April 23, 2019.
On November 13, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 19, 2021.{{cite press release|title=BET Networks Announces Second Season Pick up for Its Bold and Sexy Scripted Series "Games People Play"|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/11/13/bet-networks-announces-second-season-pick-up-for-its-bold-and-sexy-scripted-series-games-people-play-291204/20191113bet01/|work=BET|via=The Futon Critic|date=November 13, 2019}}
=Casting=
On December 6, 2018, it was announced that Lauren London, Parker McKenna Posey, and Karen Obilom had been cast in leading roles. 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.
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.{{cite press release|title=Karrueche Tran to Star in Season Two of BET's "Games People Play"|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/09/10/karrueche-tran-to-star-in-season-two-of-bets-games-people-play-183204/20200910bet01/|work=BET|via=The Futon Critic|date=September 10, 2020}}
=Filming=
Principal photography for the series commenced on November 29, 2018, in Los Angeles, California.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.bet.com/shows/games-people-play}}
- {{IMDb title|8319644}}
{{BET}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Games People Play (TV series)}}
Category:2010s American drama television series
Category:2020s American drama television series
Category:2019 American television series debuts