Insecure (TV series)

Insecure
Genre Comedy
Created by Issa Rae
Larry Wilmore
Starring
  • Issa Rae
  • Jay Ellis
  • Yvonne Orji
  • Lisa Joyce
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 8 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Issa Rae
  • Prentice Penny
  • Michael Rotenberg
  • Melina Matsoukas
  • Dave Becky
  • Jonathan Berry
Production company(s) Issa Rae Productions
Penny for Your Thoughts Entertainment
3 Arts Entertainment
Release
Original network HBO
Original release October 9, 2016 (2016-10-09) – present
External links
Website

Insecure is an HBO original comedy series created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore, which is partially based on Rae's widely lauded web series Awkward Black Girl.[1][2][3] The series premiered on October 9, 2016.[4][5] The first episode premiered online on September 23, 2016, via HBO Now and HBO Go. Since its release the show has gone on to receive critical acclaim. On November 14, 2016, HBO renewed the show for a second season.[6]

Background

In 2013, Rae began working on a comedy series pilot with Larry Wilmore about the awkward experiences of a contemporary African-American woman, in which she will be starring, eventually titled Insecure.[7] HBO picked up the pilot in early 2015 and it was subsequently greenlit, scheduled for a fall 2016 release.[8]

At HBO’s 2016 Television Critics Association session, which featured Rae, showrunner Prentice Penny, and executive producer Melina Matsoukas, Rae spoke about the show, saying that the series will examine "the complexities of 'blackness' and the reality that you can’t escape being black." Rae also said, in regard to the potential mainstream reaction to the series:

We’re just trying to convey that people of color are relatable. This is not a hood story. This is about regular people living life.[9]

Raphael Saadiq created original music for the first season. Solange Knowles served as music consultant; she was introduced to Rae by Matsoukas, who directed the music video for Knowles's song "Losing You". [10]

Plot

The eight-episode first season explores the black female experience from the perspective of the two female protagonists, Issa (Issa Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji).[11] Career and relationship experiences are explored. Issa works at a non-profit that benefits middle-school students of color. Issa has a long-term relationship with Lawrence (Jay Ellis).[12] Molly is a successful corporate attorney who has career success but difficulty with dating men. The half-hour series explores social and racial issues that relate to the contemporary black experience.[13]

Reception

Insecure has received acclaim from television critics. On Rotten Tomatoes the season has a rating of 100%, based on 46 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Insecure uses star Issa Rae's breakout web series Awkward Black Girl as the basis for an insightful, raunchy, and hilarious journey through the life of a twentysomething black woman that cuts through stereotypes with sharp wit and an effusive spirit."[14] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 84 out of 100, based on 33 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[15]

The LA Times wrote: "The half-hour series explores the friendship between two African American women who deal with their sometimes stormy relationship while also grappling with conflicts inside and outside black culture. Much of the humor has a raw flavor, and does not hold back on sexually frank situations and dialogue."[9]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Insecure as Fuck"Melina MatsoukasIssa Rae & Larry WilmoreOctober 9, 2016 (2016-10-09)[lower-alpha 1]0.371[17]
2"Messy as Fuck"Cecile EmekeIssa RaeOctober 16, 2016 (2016-10-16)0.458[18]
3"Racist as Fuck"Melina MatsoukasDayna Lynne NorthOctober 23, 2016 (2016-10-23)0.469[19]
4"Thirsty as Fuck"Kevin BrayLaura KittrellOctober 30, 2016 (2016-10-30)0.348[20]
5"Shady as Fuck"Melina MatsoukasBen DouganNovember 6, 2016 (2016-11-06)0.329[21]
6"Guilty as Fuck"Debbie AllenAmy AniobiNovember 13, 2016 (2016-11-13)0.388[22]
7"Real as Fuck"Kevin BrayPrentice PennyNovember 20, 2016 (2016-11-20)0.382[23]
8"Broken as Fuck"Melina MatsoukasIssa RaeNovember 27, 2016 (2016-11-27)0.565[24]
Notes
  1. ↑ The first episode was released online on September 23, 2016, two weeks before the series premiere.

References

  1. ↑ "Issa Rae is still an Awkward Black Girl in the trailer for HBO's Insecure". 2016-06-23. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  2. ↑ "WATCH: Issa Rae's 'Insecure' Trailer Is Everything 'Awkward Black Girl' Was But Better". WaterCoolerConvos. 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  3. ↑ CNN, Lisa Respers France. "Issa Rae's 'Insecure' may already be a hit". CNN. Retrieved 2016-08-18.
  4. ↑ Abrams, Natalie (July 30, 2016). "HBO sets premiere dates for Westworld and more". Entertainment Weekly.
  5. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (October 15, 2015). "Issa Rae Comedy 'Insecure' Gets HBO Series Order". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  6. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (November 14, 2016). "'Westworld', 'Divorce' & 'Insecure' Renewed For Season 2 By HBO". Deadline.com. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Issa Rae & Larry Wilmore To Create 'Non-Prophet' For HBO". vibe.com. August 6, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Issa Rae Comedy 'Insecure' Gets HBO Series Order". Deadline. Retrieved 2016-01-09.
  9. 1 2 Times, Los Angeles. "Issa Rae takes HBO from white 'Girls' to black women with 'Insecure'". latimes.com. Retrieved 2016-08-28.
  10. ↑ "'Insecure' Creator Issa Rae on Drake's Influence, Maintaining 'Awkward'-Ness". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2016-26-16. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  11. ↑ "Yvonne Orji at imdb".
  12. ↑ "Jay Ellis at imdb".
  13. ↑ Calvario, Liz (2016-08-26). "'Insecure' Teaser: Issa Rae Is Torn Between Two Lovers In New HBO Comedy". Retrieved 2016-08-28.
  14. ↑ "Insecure: Season 1 (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Insecure: Season 1 reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  16. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (November 18, 2016). "Natasha Rothwell Upped To Regular On 'Insecure', Will Develop Comedy For HBO". Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  17. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (October 11, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.9.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  18. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (October 18, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.16.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  19. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (October 25, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.23.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  20. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 1, 2016). "Showbuzzdailys Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals Network Finals 10 30 2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  21. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 8, 2016). "Showbuzzdailys Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals Network Finals 11 6 2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  22. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 15, 2016). "Showbuzzdailys Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals Network Finals 11 13 2016". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  23. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 22, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.20.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  24. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 30, 2016). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.27.2016". ShowBuzzDaily. Retrieved November 30, 2016.

External links

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