Insecure is an HBO original comedy-drama series based partially on Issa Rae's widely lauded web series Awkward Black Girl. The series premiered on October 9, 2016. It was created by Rae and Larry Wilmore, and premiered online on September 23, 2016, via HBO Now and HBO Go, before airing weekly on HBO. On November 14, 2016, HBO renewed the show for a second season. The second season premiered on July 23, 2017. On August 8, 2017, it was announced that the show was renewed for a third season.
Since its release, the series has gone on to receive critical acclaim. In 2017, the American Film Institute selected it as one of the top 10 television series of the year. For her performance in Insecure, Rae has earned two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress - Television Series Musical or Comedy, in 2017 and 2018.
Video Insecure (TV series)
Background
In 2013, Rae began working on a comedy series pilot (in which she would star) along with Larry Wilmore. The show was planned to be about the awkward experiences of a contemporary African-American woman; the pair eventually settled on the current title of Insecure. HBO picked up the pilot in early 2015, and it was subsequently greenlit for production.
At HBO's 2016 Television Critics Association session, which featured Rae, showrunner Prentice Penny, and executive producer Melina Matsoukas, Rae explained 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.
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".
Maps Insecure (TV series)
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) who have been best friends with each other since their college days at Stanford. They are both in their late 20s, 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). 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.
Cast
Main
- Issa Rae as Issa Dee
- Jay Ellis as Lawrence Walker
- Yvonne Orji as Molly Carter
- Lisa Joyce as Frieda
- Natasha Rothwell as Kelli (recurring season 1; season 2-present)
- Amanda Seales as Tiffany DuBois (recurring season 1; season 2-present)
- Y'lan Noel as Daniel King (recurring season 1; season 2-present)
Recurring
- Wade Allain-Marcus as Derek DuBois
- Catherine Curtin as Joanne
- Maya Erskine as Diane Nakamura
- Neil Brown Jr. as Chad
- Dominique Perry as Tasha
- Gail Bean as Rasheeda
- Heather Mazur as Hannah Richards-Foster
- Sujata Day as Sarah
- Veronica Mannion as Kitty
- Mason McCulley as Ken
- Kathreen Khavari as Patricia
- L. Scott Caldwell as Cee Cee Carter
- Langston Kerman as Jared Oliver (season 1)
- Ivan Shaw as Justin (season 1)
- Denise Dowse as Dr. Rhonda (season 2)
- Jean Elie as Ahmal Dee (season 2)
- Spencer Garrett as John Merrill (season 2)
- Lil Rel Howery as Quinton (season 2)
- David Hull as Travis Moore
- Sarunas J. Jackson as Alejandro 'Dro' Peña (season 2)
- Leon Thomas as Eddie (season 2)
- Jasmine Kaur as Aparna (season 2)
Guest
- Brandon Bell as Michael Peete (season 1)
- Jidenna as Chris (season 1)
- Ty Dolla Sign as himself (season 1)
- Regina Hall (season 2)
- Sterling K. Brown as Lionel (season 2)
- Hayley Kiyoko as Miko (season 2)
Episodes
Season 1 (2016)
- Notes
Season 2 (2017)
Reception
Critical response
Season 1
On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 100% based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 8.05/10. 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." On Metacritic, the season has a score of 84 out of 100, based on 33 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".
Eric Deggans of NPR wrote that "Rae has produced a series that feels revolutionary just by poking fun at the life of an average, twentysomething black woman." Greg Braxton of the Los Angeles 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."
Season 2
On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 100% based on 26 reviews, with an average rating of 7.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Insecure displays title-defying confidence in its second season, upping the comedy and deepening the relationships between its talented ensemble." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 90 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
Accolades
References
External links
- Official website
- Insecure on IMDb
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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