It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since Starz’s “Run the World” first graced our TV screens — even the cast members wonder when they think about the show’s long hiatus. But the good news is that the Harlem-set dramedy is finally back for season two, which kicked off on May 26, and stars 30-year-old besties Whitney (Amber Stevens West), Renee (Bresha Webb), and Sondi (Corbin ) Reed) are ready to get back in the swing of things. Of course, the half-hour series returns for much more drama, camaraderie, and romance following the season’s wild finale, but that’s not all viewers can look forward to.
“We hooked up hard because during the break in between we became even closer friends, so it was easy to dive back in.”
“Some fun things happen this season,” Stevens West teased to POPSUGAR. “There are some big things this season that are fun — there’s a wedding and there’s a funeral. And in real life there’s always antics around celebrations like that.” But more than that, the “Run the World” star says viewers will definitely enjoy “all these women choosing to be themselves and navigate their romantic lives differently than in season one. It’s very exciting.” Is.”
The ladies of “Run the World” say it was very easy to return to their regular routines nearly a year after their show’s May 2021 debut. They even say that reducing their main ensemble of four to a trio – Andrea Bordeaux, who played Ella, exits the series in February 2022 – came easily. Stevens West said of his classmates, “We dived hard just because during the middle break we became even closer friends, so it was easier to dive back in,” who jokingly refers to herself as a girl from DS3. group, although they note that they should have gone with their first initials (ABC) instead. “It’s a look at Destiny’s Child,” Webb jokes.
“Run the World” concludes with a slight shock after Whitney confesses to her fiancé (and now ex), Ola (Tosin Morohunfola), that he cheated on her. Finding solace in the circle of her sister, Whitney tries to piece together her shattered life, which is where season two picks up. But the road ahead is not easy.
“Whitney’s only been in this one relationship her whole life and then blew that whole thing, now she’s getting the opportunity to decide if he really was the man of her dreams and that’s what she wants to pursue.” or wants to look and live elsewhere.” Stevens West says of his character’s arc as “a more authentic version of himself with the next partner.” “we will see.”
Whitney isn’t the only one facing challenges in season two. Webb’s Renee finds herself in her own dilemma — romantic and professional — in season one after quitting her fancy job at Eclipse, and she’s still reeling from her separation from her husband Jason (Jay Walker). But the challenge of starting your own business — and a romance with someone new — will create barriers that Webb says other women may find relatable.
“Renée’s character is trying to figure out, for the first time, what success looks like for her and what happens when you’re uncomfortable with your decisions, and how you navigate those conversations so that you come to terms with your truth and Live life honestly,” she says. “So she’s dealing with that, and I feel like there’s really an aspiration for women to take a chance and be gracious to themselves while they figure it out.”
The second season of “Run the World” sticks with the theme of “figuring it out” as all the women (without Ella) are stuck between a rock and a hard place as they struggle to navigate where they where they are and where they want to be in their life. “There’s a line that’s definitely an extension of (one) that we have in season one, where I say, ‘How we walk or when we move, there’s only one direction: straight ahead, Reid recalls. “I think each of our characters definitely live that mantra this season in the sense that they are not afraid. You look at bru, bru, bru’s problems in season one, and they bubble to the surface. become, and then you see they’re ready to explode it and blow it up because it’s about choosing what you want and need and not being afraid of what the consequences might be. And then they’re a are there for the other to pick up the pieces and reassess.”
“I love that we allow black women to be any way they want because that’s cool enough.”
Reid continues, “I think when you’re in your 30s it’s sometimes too easy to go along, because you feel like you should know everything and be settled. But these modern There are modern women with problems and ambitions, strong life ideas, and you can actually see them walking fearlessly and unapologetically in their purpose.
Along with “Run the World,” Webb considers it a privilege to be a part of a series that encourages all women, especially black women, to “take a chance on themselves, believe in themselves, and follow their hearts.” encourages.” “It’s very important,” she says, “and I think the message is, you know, to live your life even if you’re trying to figure it out.”
Stevens West agrees; As she puts it, “I love that we show black women in diverse ways.”
“We’ve been shown one way to be a black woman, and that’s being a strong black woman, but we’re showing how dynamic we are. It’s okay to be a black girl who loves common sense and All geography can answer.” question, because we don’t usually see successful black women in those places,” she says proudly. “So I love that we allow black women to be any way they are, because that’s cool enough “
“Run the World” has already promised that season two will “continue to focus on the friendship and power bonds of the Black sisterhood as the women fashionably navigate through the ups and downs of love and career in pursuit of world domination.” does.” So when asked how the cast describes the new season, the three women readily answer — on cue as if they really are Destiny’s Child — “Bold, authentic, fierce!”
“Run the World” airs new episodes on Fridays on Starz.
