Games People Play
GenreSports drama
Based onGames Divas Play
by Angela Burt-Murray
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producers
  • Tracey Edmonds
  • Angela Burt-Murray
  • Vanessa Middleton
  • Kim Newton
  • Jazmyne Davis
Running time40–41 min.
Production companiesEdmonds Entertainment
STX Entertainment
Original release
NetworkBET
ReleaseApril 23, 2019 (2019-04-23) –
December 21, 2021 (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.[1]

On November 13, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 19, 2021.[2]

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."[3]

Cast

Main

  • 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]
  • Parker McKenna Posey as Laila James, a scandalous groupie looking to become a star[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

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[4]
  • 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[6]

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[7]
  • Aaron Marshall as Theodore Delano[4]
  • 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

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110April 23, 2019 (2019-04-23)June 25, 2019 (2019-06-25)
210October 19, 2021 (2021-10-19)December 21, 2021 (2021-12-21)

Season 1 (2019)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Pilot"Janice CookeVanessa MiddletonApril 23, 2019 (2019-04-23)0.76[8]
22"Lover's Moon"Rob MorrowKim NewtonApril 30, 2019 (2019-04-30)0.53[9]
33"The Drink of Kings"Rob MorrowStephen GodchauxMay 7, 2019 (2019-05-07)0.37[10]
44"The Wrath of Grapes"Michael GrossmanMike FlynnMay 14, 2019 (2019-05-14)0.46[11]
55"To Live and Lie in LA"Michael GrossmanTheodore WitcherMay 21, 2019 (2019-05-21)0.38[12]
66"Reversal of Fortune"Janice CookeSara Finney-JohnsonMay 28, 2019 (2019-05-28)0.51[13]
77"Persons of Interests"Rob MorrowVanessa Middleton & Sara Finney-JohnsonJune 4, 2019 (2019-06-04)0.40[14]
88"A Wing and a Prayer"Rob MorrowStory by : Vanessa Middleton
Teleplay by : Meagan Diane		June 11, 2019 (2019-06-11)0.41[15]
99"The B' is Back"Janice CookeTheodore WitcherJune 18, 2019 (2019-06-18)0.41[16]
1010"The Way You Save"Janice CookeVanessa MiddletonJune 25, 2019 (2019-06-25)0.58[17]

Season 2 (2021)

No.
overall		No. in
season		Title [18][19]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [18][19]U.S. viewers
(millions)
111"I Saw What You Did"Rob MorrowVanessa MiddletonOctober 19, 2021 (2021-10-19)0.48[20]
122"Gone Girl"Rob MorrowTheodore WitcherOctober 26, 2021 (2021-10-26)0.50[21]
133"Love and Basketball"Rob MorrowBen Cory JonesNovember 2, 2021 (2021-11-02)0.46[22]
144"Lost and Found"Rob MorrowSara Finney-JohnsonNovember 9, 2021 (2021-11-09)0.48[23]
155"All In"Rob MorrowMeagan DaineNovember 16, 2021 (2021-11-16)0.45[24]
166"The Game Catches Everyone"Rob MorrowPhonz WilliamsNovember 23, 2021 (2021-11-23)0.51[25]
177"There's No Place Like Home"Courtney MillerTheodore WitcherNovember 30, 2021 (2021-11-30)0.56[26]
188"Undercover Brother"Rob MorrowVanessa Middleton & Meagan DaineDecember 7, 2021 (2021-12-07)0.48[27]
199"Truth and Consequences"Rob MorrowSara Finney-JohnsonDecember 14, 2021 (2021-12-14)0.57[28]
2010"The Greater Good"Rob MorrowVanessa MiddletonDecember 21, 2021 (2021-12-21)0.52[29]

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.[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]

Casting

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]

Filming

Principal photography for the series commenced on November 29, 2018, in Los Angeles, California.[31]

References

  1. 1 2 "As One Saga Ends, Another Begins During a Monumental Tuesday Night on BET". BET (Press release). April 1, 2019 – via The Futon Critic.
  2. ↑ "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.
  3. 1 2 Pedersen, Erik (April 17, 2018). "BET's 2018-19 Slate Features New Scripted Shows, Docuseries, Specials & More". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Games People Play (TV Series 2019-)". IMDb. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Karrueche Tran to Star in Season Two of BET's "Games People Play"". BET (Press release). September 10, 2020 – via The Futon Critic.
  6. ↑ Randolph, Elizabeth (2022-05-21). "Marlo Hampton Made Her Acting Debut Before Securing Her Peach". Distractify. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  7. ↑ "BET's 'Games People Play' Rounds Out Season 2 Cast With Brandi Denise". BET. ViacomCBS. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ 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.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. 1 2 "Games People Play – Season 2 Listings". Zap2It. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  19. 1 2 "Shows A-Z – Games People Play on BET". The Futon Critic. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  20. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (October 20, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.19.2021 UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  21. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (October 27, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.26.2021 UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  22. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 3, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.2.2021 UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 3, 2021.
  23. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 10, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.9.2021 UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  24. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 17, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.16.2021 UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
  25. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 24, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 11.23.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
  26. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (December 1, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 11.30.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATE #2". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  27. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (December 8, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 12.7.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
  28. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (December 15, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 12.14.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  29. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (December 22, 2021). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Tuesday 12.21.2021 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  30. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (April 17, 2018). "BET Upfront Slate Features 'Dream Team,' '90s Girl Group Docuseries". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  31. 1 2 3 Petski, 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.
  32. 1 2 Petski, 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.
  33. ↑ "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.
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