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. On November 13, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season.
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."
Cast
Main
Lauren London as Vanessa King, a desperate basketball wife trying to protect her family
Karen Obilom as Nia Bullock, a tenacious reporter struggling to rebuild her tarnished career.
Parker McKenna Posey as Laila James, a scandalous groupie looking to become a star
Jackie Long as Kareem Johnson, Marcus' best friend and assistant, who was a former basketball star for the Gladiators and a college basketball standout
Recurring
Barry Brewer as Eric Rowland, Nia's live-in boyfriend, an IT nerd who is a basketball all-star captain
Kendall Kyndall as Marquis "MJ" Jackson, Nia's assistant and best friend
Morgan Walsh as Ginger Gates
Monti Washington as Terrence Abrams, Nia's ex-boyfriend and a City of Los Angelespolice 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, 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 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
Owen Saxon as Thomas, a trainer and a basketball player for the Los Angeles Vipers
Alveraz Ricardez as Officer Mel Friendly
Marie Stark as Deanna George
Greice Santo as Yoga Nanny
Zach Zublena as Jasper White, a basketball player for the Tulsa Tornado
Norman Towns as Tyreck Woolridge, a basketball player for the Tulsa Tornado
Anisha Adusumilli as Anushka
Episodes
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. 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. On January 31, 2019, it was announced that the series had been retitled Games People Play. On April 1, 2019, it was announced that the series will premiere on April 23, 2019. On November 13, 2019, the series was renewed for a second season.
Casting
On December 6, 2018, it was announced that Lauren London, Parker McKenna Posey, and Karen Obilom had been cast in leading roles. 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.
Filming
Principal photography for the series commenced on November 29, 2018, in Los Angeles, California.
