In Contempt

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox television

| image =

| alt_name = Sullivan's Travels

| genre = {{Plainlist|

}}

| creator = {{Plainlist|

  • Terri Kopp

}}

| writer = {{Plainlist|

  • Terri Kopp

}}

| director = {{Plainlist|

}}

| based_on =

| starring = {{Plainlist|

}}

| opentheme =

| composer = {{Plainlist|

  • Kurt Farquhar{{cite web |last1=Haddad |first1=Jalal |title=Composer Kurt Farquhar on What Sets 'Black Lightning' Apart from Other Superhero Shows |url=http://www.awardsdaily.com/2018/02/08/composer-kurt-farquhar-interview/ |website=Awards Daily |access-date=12 April 2018|date=8 February 2018}}

}}

| country =

| language = English

| num_seasons = 1

| num_episodes = 10

| list_episodes =

| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|

}}

| producer = {{Plainlist|

  • Mary Anne Waterhouse
  • Brian Campbell
  • Priscilla Galvez
  • Stephen Raglow
  • Jamey Sinanan

}}

| cinematography = Kim Derko{{cite web |title=Bio |url=https://www.kimderko.com/bio-1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413043535/https://www.kimderko.com/bio-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 13, 2018 |publisher=Kim Derko |access-date=12 April 2018 }}

| runtime = 42 minutes

| company = {{Plainlist|

  • Blue Ice Pictures

}}

| network = BET

| first_aired = {{Start date|2018|4|10}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2018|6|12}}

}}

In Contempt is a television show on BET created by Terri Kopp and starring Erica Ash. BET ordered 10 episodes straight-to-series. The series explores injustice in the American legal system.{{cite magazine |url=https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/bet-s-in-contempt-confronts-america-s-unjust-legal-syst-1825118656 |magazine=The Root |first=Danielle |last=Young |date=April 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411232341/https://thegrapevine.theroot.com/bet-s-in-contempt-confronts-america-s-unjust-legal-syst-1825118656 |archive-date=April 11, 2018 |title=BET's In Contempt Confronts America's Unjust Legal System While Giving Us a Black Leading Lady}} The series premiered on April 10, 2018.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ebony.com/ebony/erica-ash-in-contempt-bet |magazine=Ebony |title=Erica Ash Talks 'In Contempt' & Educating Our Community about the Judicial System |first=Joshua |last=David |date=April 10, 2018}} In September 2019, the series was canceled by BET after one season.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2019/09/in-contempt-canceled-by-bet-after-one-season-1202744946/ |title='In Contempt' Canceled by BET After One Season |last=Petski |first=Denise |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2019}}

Plot

The procedurals is in the fast-paced world of a legal aid office in New York City and follows Gwen Sullivan (Erica Ash), an opinionated attorney whose passion for her job and clients make her arguably the most talented public defender in her district.

Cast and characters

  • Erica Ash as Gwendolyn "Gwen" Sullivan, a public defender{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Lesley|title=Erica Ash to Star in Straight-to-Series BET Legal Drama 'In Contempt' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/erica-ash-star-straight-series-bet-legal-drama-contempt-1049712|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=12 April 2018|date=19 October 2017}}
  • Richard Lawson as Earl Sullivan, Gwen's father, a retired judge{{cite news |url=https://thegrio.com/2018/04/10/exclusive-erica-ash-on-her-in-contempt-role-and-tackling-the-flawed-legal-system/ |title=Erica Ash on her 'In Contempt' role and tackling the flawed legal system |first=Cortney |last=Wills |date=April 10, 2018 |publisher=The Grio |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411232838/https://thegrio.com/2018/04/10/exclusive-erica-ash-on-her-in-contempt-role-and-tackling-the-flawed-legal-system/ |archive-date=April 11, 2018}}
  • Christian Keyes as Charles Theodore "Charlie" Riggs, an attorney with an ego who is Gwen's boss and friends with benefits
  • Megan Hutchings as Tracy Campbell, a public defender and Gwen's roommate
  • Mouna Traoré as Vanessa Winters, a rookie attorney learning what it means to be woke
  • Tobias Truvillion as Bennett Thompson, Gwen's longtime secret crush and former law professor
  • Daniel Kash as Tom Delgado, Gwen's boss
  • Ronnie Rowe. Jr. as E.J Dashay, an Assistant District Attorney and Gwen's professional nemesis

=Recurring=

Episodes

{{Episode table |background=#A4A4A4 |overall= |title= |director= |writer= |airdate= |viewers= |country=U.S. |episodes=

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = Welcome to Hell

|DirectedBy = Farhad Mann

|WrittenBy = Terri Kopp

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|4|10}}

|Viewers = 0.540{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-10-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180412133128/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-10-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 12, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.10.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=April 11, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=April 11, 2018}}

|ShortSummary = A female defense attorney defends a client accused of attempted rape after the attorney was handcuffed in court for brawling. One of the group's male attorneys supervises a rookie female associate. A court judge, the married lover of a female defense attorney, denies bail to her client. This causes frustration to grow for her. |LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Combat by Agreement

|DirectedBy = Farhad Mann

|WrittenBy = Laurence Andries

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|4|17}}

|Viewers = 0.468{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-17-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419053434/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-17-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 19, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.17.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=April 18, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=April 18, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =After a fatal gang bus shooting, Gwen must defend a 14 year old, while also reconnecting with her former law professor and secret crush, Bennett. Vanessa, under Charlie's wing, goes through public defender boot camp.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Confessions

|DirectedBy = Sudz Sutherland

|WrittenBy = Terri Kopp & Evangeline Ordaz & Deb Swisher

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|4|24}}

|Viewers = 0.466{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-24-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426080338/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-4-24-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 26, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 4.24.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=April 25, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=April 25, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =Gwen and Tracy defend a client who confessed to murdering his mother. Bennett and Gwen have a romantic dinner until a surprise guest arrives.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = The Rules of Engagement

|DirectedBy = Sudz Sutherland

|WrittenBy = David Feige

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|1}}

|Viewers = 0.397{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-1-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503041814/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-1-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 3, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.1.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=May 2, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=May 2, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =In the aftermath of finding out that Bennett is engaged, Gwen defends a Frotteurist. Charlie wins an unwinnable stash and cash drug case but gets arrested.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = Necessary Force

|DirectedBy = Jill Carter

|WrittenBy = Maisha Closson

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|8}}

|Viewers = 0.488{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-8-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510050924/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-8-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 10, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.8.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=May 9, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=May 9, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =Gwen and Tracy struggle to deal with events from their past when they defend a mother accused of child abuse. Charlie deals with the aftermath of his unfair arrest.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = Banned

|DirectedBy = Jill Carter

|WrittenBy = Evangeline Ordaz

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|15}}

|Viewers = 0.360{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-15-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517152805/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-15-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 17, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.15.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=May 16, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=May 16, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =Gwen uses an extra-judicial strategy to outwit an overzealous judge. Bennett invites Gwen to his wedding shower, where she discovers Bennett's true feelings about her.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = Stop and Frisk

|DirectedBy = Farhad Mann

|WrittenBy = Deb Swisher

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|22}}

|Viewers = 0.468{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-22-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524082231/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-22-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 24, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.22.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=May 23, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=May 23, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =Still fiery from his own run-in with racial profiling, Charlie and Vanessa try a stop and frisk case. Bennett takes Gwen on a get away to determine the next steps in their relationship.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = Burned Out

|DirectedBy = Farhad Mann

|WrittenBy = Terri Kopp & Aaron Carew

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|5|29}}

|Viewers = 0.472{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-29-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604070723/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-5-29-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 4, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 5.29.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=May 30, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=May 30, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =Gwen's commitment is put to the test when she defends a man accused of setting his girlfriend on fire. Meanwhile, Bennett learns to cope with Gwen's work-first mentality when she moves into his condo.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = BLM, Part One

|DirectedBy = Sudz Sutherland

|WrittenBy = Laurence Andries

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|6|5}}

|Viewers = 0.501{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-6-5-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180610031101/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-6-5-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.5.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=June 6, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=June 6, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =In a case that closely mirrors Eric Garner's, Gwen, Charlie and Tracy defend a young Black man who, in the course of being arrested, inadvertently kills a cop.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = BLM, Part Two

|DirectedBy = Sudz Sutherland

|WrittenBy = Terri Kopp

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|6|12}}

|Viewers = 0.539{{cite web|url=http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-6-12-2018.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613234618/http://www.showbuzzdaily.com/articles/showbuzzdailys-top-150-tuesday-cable-originals-network-finals-6-12-2018.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2018|title=Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.12.2018|last=Metcalf|first=Mitch|date=June 13, 2018|work=Showbuzz Daily|access-date=June 13, 2018}}

|ShortSummary =Gwen's defense of a young Black man who killed a police officer in self-defense continues, and she is forced to come up with an unorthodox theory in order to win.

|LineColor = A4A4A4

}}

}}

Production

In Contempt is being written by Terri Kopp{{cite news |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/tv/article/Erica-Ash-makes-solid-argument-for-BET-legal-12819429.php |title=Erica Ash makes solid argument for BET legal drama 'In Contempt' |first=Rick |last=Bentley |date=April 9, 2018 |newspaper=The Houston Chronicle |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411233022/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/tv/article/Erica-Ash-makes-solid-argument-for-BET-legal-12819429.php |archive-date=April 11, 2018}} and produced in Canada. On September 25, 2019, BET officially canceled the series after one season.

References

{{reflist}}