First Wives Club (TV series)

2019 American TV series or program

First Wives Club

Genre|

* Comedy

Based on| The First Wives Club
by Robert Harling
Written by| Tracy Oliver
Starring|

* Michelle Buteau
* Jill Scott
* Ryan Michelle Bathe
* Mark Tallman
* RonReaco Lee
* Malik Yoba
* Michelle Mitchenor

Country of origin| United States
Original language| English
No. of seasons| 3
No. of episodes| 29
Production
Executive producers|

* Tracy Oliver
* Karen Rosenfelt
* Scott Rudin

Camera setup| Single-camera
Running time| 26-31 min.
Production companies|

* Tracy Yvonne Productions
* Jax Media
* Paramount Television Studios

Original release
Network| BET+
Release| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19) –
December 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)

First Wives Club is an American comedy television series based on the 1996 film of the same name written by Robert Harling; it premiered on September 19, 2019 on BET+.[1][2] The series was renewed for a second season on November 26, 2019, premiering on July 15, 2021.[3][4] On September 8, 2021, the series was renewed for a third season.[5] Unlike the original film, the series features an entirely African-American cast.[6]

## Premise

[edit]

The First Wives Club is set in New York City and follows three women (Ari, Bree, and Hazel) who band together after their marriages fall apart, and who find strength in their sisterhood and revenge.[7]

## Cast and characters

[edit]

### Main

[edit]

* Michelle Buteau as Dr. Bree Washington
* Jill Scott as Hazel Rachelle
* Ryan Michelle Bathe as Ariel "Ari" Montgomery (née Carmichael) (seasons 1–2)
* Mark Tallman as David Montgomery
* RonReaco Lee as Gary Washington
* Malik Yoba as Derrick Ellsworth (season 1)
* Michelle Mitchenor as Jayla Wright (seasons 2–3)

### Recurring

[edit]

* Tara Pacheco as Versace Ellsworth
* Bill Barrett as Jacob Rosen
* Jordan Carlos as Curtis
* Deborah Cox as Regina
* Bailey Tippen as Megan
* Gary Dourdan as Dr. Malcolm Reynard
* Mikhail Keize as Nigel
* Jaxon Rose Moore as Imani Washington
* Auston Jon Moore as Ollie Washington
* Chase Dillon as Ollie Washington
* Naledi Murray as Imani Washington
* Tobias Truvillion as Khalil
* Raymond Greene-Joyner as Big
* Essence Atkins as Maxine

## Episodes

[edit]

Season| Episodes| Originally aired

|
|

First aired| Last aired
1| 9| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)
2| 10| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)
3| 10| November 17, 2022 (2022-11-17)| December 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)

### Season 1 (2019)

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
season| Title| Directed by| Written by| Original release date| BET air date| U.S. linear viewers
(millions)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

1| 1| "Pilot"| Jamie Babbit| Tracy Oliver| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| January 27, 2021| N/A
2| 2| "Plan B"| Anu Valia| Tracy Oliver| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| February 3, 2021| N/A
3| 3| "Diamonds Are Forever"| Ryan Case| Alison Brown| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| February 10, 2021| N/A
4| 4| "Storytelling"| Ryan Case| Leila Cohan-Miccio| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| February 17, 2021| N/A
5| 5| "What Happens Upstate"| Anu Valia| Julian Breece| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| February 24, 2021| 0.47[8]
6| 6| "The Glow Up"| Stella Meghie| Rachelle R. Williams| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| March 3, 2021| 0.58[9]
7| 7| "Something Blue"| Tracy Oliver| Thembi Ford| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| March 10, 2021| 0.51[10]
8| 8| "One Night Only"| Stella Meghie| Yvette Foy| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| March 17, 2021| 0.60[11]
9| 9| "Vengeance"| Samantha Bailey| Tracy Oliver| September 19, 2019 (2019-09-19)| March 24, 2021| 0.57[12]

### Season 2 (2021)

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
season| Title| Directed by| Written by| Original release date| BET air date| U.S. linear viewers
(millions)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

10| 1| "Independent Women"| Stacey Muhammad| Tracy Oliver & Britt Matt| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| January 5, 2022| 0.58[13]
11| 2| "On Bended Knee"| Stacey Muhammad| Nicole Drespel| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| January 12, 2022| 0.59[14]
12| 3| "What About Your Friends"| Leslie Kolins Small| Yvette Foy| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| January 19, 2022| 0.63[15]
13| 4| "Freak Like Me"| Leslie Kolins Small| Elaine Aronson| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| January 26, 2022| 0.63[16]
14| 5| "Not Gon' Cry"| Leslie Kolins Small| Britt Matt & Aundrea Posey| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| February 2, 2022| 0.62[17]
15| 6| "Ex-Factor"| Daniella Eisman| Nicole Drespel & Morgan Collins| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| February 9, 2022| 0.45[18]
16| 7| "Caught Out There"| Daniella Eisman| Elaine Aronson & Yvette Foy| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| February 16, 2022| 0.46[19]
17| 8| "This Is How We Do It"| Shea William Vanderpoort| Jordan Carlos & Nicole Drespel| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| February 23, 2022| 0.39[20]
18| 9| "Spend My Life With You"| Shea William Vanderpoort| Britt Matt| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| March 2, 2022| 0.53[21]
19| 10| "End of the Road"| Daniella Eisman| Tracy Oliver| July 15, 2021 (2021-07-15)| March 9, 2022| 0.51[22]

### Season 3 (2022)

[edit]

No.
overall| No. in
season| Title| Directed by| Written by| Original release date| BET air date [23]| U.S. linear viewers
(millions)

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

20| 1| "You Can't Hurry Love"| Shea William Vanderpoort| Elaine Aronson| November 17, 2022 (2022-11-17)| May 31, 2023| 0.42[24]
21| 2| "Stop in the Name of Love"| Shea William Vanderpoort| Britt Matt| November 17, 2022 (2022-11-17)| June 7, 2023| 0.46[25]
22| 3| "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted?"| Daniella Eisman| Julian Kiani| November 24, 2022 (2022-11-24)| June 14, 2023| 0.57[26]
23| 4| "Ain't it Peculiar"| Princess Monique Filmz| Nicole Drespel & Julian Kiani| November 24, 2022 (2022-11-24)| June 21, 2023| 0.45[27]
24| 5| "The Way You Do the Things You Do"| Daniella Eisman| Nicole Drespel| December 1, 2022 (2022-12-01)| June 28, 2023| 0.43[28]
25| 6| "Ask the Lonely"| RonReaco Lee| Aundrea Posey| December 1, 2022 (2022-12-01)| July 5, 2023| 0.42[29]
26| 7| "What Does It Take"| Daniella Eisman| Josephine Green Zhang| December 8, 2022 (2022-12-08)| July 12, 2023| 0.27[29]
27| 8| "Standing in the Shadows of Love"| Shea William Vanderpoort| Kayla Renee Brooks & Banna Desta| December 8, 2022 (2022-12-08)| July 19, 2023| 0.51[29]
28| 9| "I Heard It Through the Grapevine"| Princess Monique Filmz| Elaine Aronson| December 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)| July 26, 2023| 0.48[29]
29| 10| "Dancing in the Streets"| Daniella Eisman| Britt Matt| December 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)| August 2, 2023| 0.42[29]

## Production

[edit]

### Development

[edit]

On March 13, 2016, it was announced that TV Land had given a pilot order to the production. The episode was set to be written by Rebecca Adelman and executive produced by Jenny Bicks.[30] On June 3, 2016, it was also reported that Karen Rosenfelt would executive produce the series and that Paramount Television would serve as the main production company for the project. Both Rosenfelt and Bicks had been producers on the original 1996 film. TV Land also revealed the premise of the pilot which was described as "Set in present-day San Francisco, the story revolves around three women – friends and classmates in the '90s – who reconnect after their close friend from college dies in a freak accident. When they discover that they are all at a romantic crossroads, they band together to tackle divorce, relationships and life's other annoying challenges."[31] On November 11, 2016, it was announced that TV Land had passed on the pilot but that it was possible for it to be redeveloped.[32]

On March 30, 2017, Kevin Kay, president of Paramount Network, TV Land, and CMT, talked about the series in an interview with Deadline Hollywood. In the interview he mentioned that the intention was for the production to move from TV Land and to be redeveloped as a new pilot at the Paramount Network.[33] On October 2, 2017, it was announced that Tracy Oliver would write the redeveloped pilot. It was also expected that Karen Rosenfelt would executive produce this version of the project as well.[34] On April 5, 2018, Paramount Network officially gave the production a pilot order. It was also reported that Scott Rudin, a producer of the original film, would act as executive producer for the series.[35] On April 19, 2018, it was announced that Paramount Network had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes.[36][37][38][39] On November 27, 2018, it was reported that Paramount Network was reevaluating their plans for a night of dramedy programming and that as such the series would instead premiere on Paramount Network's sister network BET.[40] On December 20, 2018, it was announced that the series would feature numerous easter eggs and callbacks to the original film including a newly-recorded version of the song "You Don't Own Me".[41]

### Casting

[edit]

On June 3, 2016, it was announced that Alyson Hannigan and Megan Hilty had been cast as two of the three female leads in the series.[31] Hannigan was cast as Maggie, similar to Diane Keaton's character in the film, who was described as an English professor in San Francisco who once had aspirations of being a poet. Stuck in a failing marriage, it is after her old college friend dies that she decides to make changes in her life. Hilty was cast as Kim, similar to Goldie Hawn's character in the film, who was described as previously successful who had "aged out" of Hollywood. She continues to keep herself in shape, acts in commercials, and hopes for her big break to come along. Divorced and living with her 8-year-old son, she is happy to have her old friends in her life again.[31] Later that month, it was reported that Vanessa Lachey had been cast to round out the trio of main characters. She was cast as Sasha, a successful chef with a girlfriend she plans to marry who begins to question settling down once her friends reenter her life.[42]

In August 2018, it was announced that Michelle Buteau, Jill Scott, and Ryan Michelle Bathe had been cast in the lead roles of the second iteration of the series.[7][43] On September 24, 2018, it was reported that Mark Tallman, RonReaco Lee, and Malik Yoba had been cast in the series' lead male roles.[44]

### Filming

[edit]

Principal photography for the series commenced on September 28, 2018, in New York City.[44][45] Filming had concluded by the week of December 10, 2018.[46]

Buteau had her role reduced and actually missed several episodes in season 3 because she was developing and writing her Netflix show Survival of the Thickest.

## Release

[edit]

On December 20, 2018, a "first look" still image from the series was released featuring Michelle Buteau, Jill Scott, Ryan Michelle Bathe in character as Bree, Hazel, and Ari, respectively.[41]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "BET Networks and Tyler Perry Studios to Launch BET+". The Futon Critic. June 24, 2019.
2. ^ "BET Networks and Tyler Perry Studios to Debut BET+ Thursday, September 19". The Futon Critic. September 9, 2019.
3. ^ "'First Wives Club' Renewed For Season 2 By BET+". Deadline Hollywood. November 26, 2019.
4. ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt (June 15, 2021). "First Wives Club on BET+: Get Season 2 Premiere Date, Plus Scoop". TVLine. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 8, 2021). "'First Wives Club' Renewed For Season 3 By BET+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
6. ^ Harris, Raquelle (July 21, 2021). "The Stars of BET+'s First Wives Club Dish on Who's Bette Midler's #1 Fan, Who's as Funny as Robin Williams and How Being in the Cast Feels Like The View". Parade.
7. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (August 2, 2018). "'First Wives Club': Jill Scott & Michelle Buteau To Star In Paramount Network's Series Reboot". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
8. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 25, 2021). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 2.24.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
9. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 4, 2021). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.3.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
10. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 11, 2021). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.10.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
11. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 18, 2021). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.17.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
12. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 25, 2021). "UPDATED: SHOWBUZZDAILY's Top 150 Wednesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 3.24.2021". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
13. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 6, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 1.5.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATE #2". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
14. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 13, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 1.12.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
15. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 20, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 1.19.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATE #3". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
16. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (January 27, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 1.26.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
17. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 3, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 2.2.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
18. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 10, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 2.9.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
19. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 17, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 2.16.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
20. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (February 24, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 2.23.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals (Updated)". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
21. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 4, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 3.2.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
22. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (March 10, 2022). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 3.9.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
23. ^ "Shows A-Z – First Wives Club on BET+". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
24. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 5, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 5.31.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
25. ^ Salem, Mitch (June 8, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 6.7.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 10, 2023.
26. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (June 15, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 6.14.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
27. ^ Salem, Mitch (June 23, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 6.21.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
28. ^ Salem, Mitch (June 29, 2023). "SHOWBUZZDAILY's Wednesday 6.28.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals UPDATED". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
29. ^ a b c d e "First Wives Club". USTVDB. 2 August 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 3, 2016). "TV Land Orders 'First Wives Club' & Kyle Richards Pilots, Renews 'Teachers', Signs Darren Star To Overall Deal – Upfronts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
31. ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (June 4, 2016). "'The First Wives Club': Alyson Hannigan & Megan Hilty To Star In TV Land Remake". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
32. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 11, 2016). "TV Land Passes On 'The First Wives Club' Pilot, May Develop New Take On Movie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
33. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 30, 2017). "Kevin Kay Details Plans For the Paramount Network, Talks Future Of 'Nashville'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
34. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 2, 2017). "'First Wives Club': Tracy Oliver To Write New TV Series Reboot Of Movie For Paramount Network and Paramount TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
35. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 5, 2018). "'First Wives Club' TV Reboot Gets Pilot Order At Paramount Network". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
36. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 19, 2018). "'First Wives Club' TV Reboot Gets Series Order At Paramount Network". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
37. ^ Otterson, Joe (April 19, 2018). "'First Wives Club' Reboot Lands Series Order at Paramount Network". Variety. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
38. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (April 19, 2018). "First Wives' Club Remake Gets Series Order at Paramount Network". TVLine. Archived from the original on April 19, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
39. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (April 19, 2018). "Paramount Network's 'First Wives Club' Picked Up to Series, Will Feature an Inclusive Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
40. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 27, 2018). "'First Wives Club' Series Moves To BET As Paramount Network Reevaluates Dramedy Night". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
41. ^ a b Stack, Tim (December 20, 2018). "'First Wives Club' reboot will feature a 'version' of 'You Don't Own Me' number". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved December 20, 2018.
42. ^ Petski, Denise (June 30, 2016). "'The First Wives Club': Vanessa Lachey Joins Alyson Hannigan & Megan Hilty In TV Land Remake". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
43. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (September 6, 2018). "'First Wives Club': Ryan Michelle Bathe to Star in Paramount Network's Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
44. ^ a b Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (September 24, 2018). "'First Wives Club': Mark Tallman, RonReaco Lee & Malik Yoba Set As Male Leads In Paramount Network Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 24, 2018.
45. ^ "First Wives Club on Instagram: "It's already lit. Let's GO! 🎬 #FirstDayOfProduction #BehindTheScenes #FirstWivesClub"". Instagram. September 28, 2018. Archived from the original on October 11, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2018.
46. ^ Buteau, Michelle (December 10, 2018). "Michelle Buteau on Instagram: "Last week of shooting @firstwivesclub and I'm gonna miss these ladies so damn much. Truly can not wait for this season to dripity drop plop…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* First Wives Club at IMDb

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