Starz Announces New Cast Members Joining Second Season of Hit Comedy Series “Run the World”
STARZ announced today that Tika Sumpter (Sonic the Hedgehog 2, “Mixed-ish”), Comedian CP (“Detroiters,” “Ole Bud’s Anu Football Weekly”) and Isha Blaaker (A Madea’s Homecoming, “The Flight Attendant”) will be joining the cast of STARZ’s hit comedy series “Run the World” in recurring roles. Cree Summer (“Better Things,” “Queen Sugar”) and Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins (“Dear White People,” Bad Hair) will guest star in the upcoming season.
The series follows a group of smart, funny and vibrant thirty-something Black women – fiercely loyal best friends – who live, work and play in Harlem. “Run the World” exemplifies STARZ’s #TakeTheLead commitment to spotlighting diverse voices and stories that reflect a full spectrum of women both in front of and behind the camera.
Run the World
Tika Sumpter will recur as “Naomi,” the biological mother of Amari who has returned home from the Navy. With the assertiveness of a military officer, she immediately reclaims her position in Amari’s life, leaving Sondi to question her place in this new family dynamic.
Comedian CP will recur as “Preston Thurgood,” the multi-millionaire creator of Prestify, who has no need to put on airs. His hilarious, down-to-earth personality is plenty to get Renee’s attention; however, his lavish lifestyle certainly won’t hurt his case. Preston could give Renee everything she’s ever wanted, but is Preston the true love of her life?
Ishaa Blaaker will recur as “Phillip Houston,” Whitney’s business school rival who has returned from London fresh off a breakup of his own. His sexy British arrogance has Whitney flustered and their chemistry runs high. Now that they’re both single, Phillip is certainly interested.
Cree Summer will guest star as “Dr. Monica Mitchell,” the ladies’ wise and trusting new therapist. She allows Whitney, Renee and Sondi to pick up right where they left off with their retired therapist, Dr. Nancy. Dr. Monica’s direct, honest and personal approach allows the ladies to open up and navigate their relationship woes, as well as admit that they were kind of over getting advice from a white woman.
Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins will guest star as “India Blue,” a beautiful, confident, cool and incredibly successful singer/songwriter/producer. India has been working closely with Jason and is now looking to move this “collaboration” into something more, despite Renee and Jason’s prior relationship.
Rachelle Williams-BenAry (“Love Life,” “Mixed-ish,” “Survivor’s Remorse”) joins season two as showrunner and executive producer. Returning cast includes Amber Stevens West (“The Carmichael Show”), Bresha Webb (“Marlon”), Corbin Reid (“Valor”), Stephen Bishop (Moneyball, “Imposters”) and Tosin Morohunfola (“Black Lightning”). Erika Alexander (“Living Single”) and Nick Sagar (“Queen of the South”) will also return as recurring guest stars, and Jay Walker (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Tonya Pinkins will return as guest stars.
“Run the World” is produced by Lionsgate Television. Senior Vice President of Original Programming Kathryn Tyus-Adair is the executive overseeing the series on behalf of STARZ. Senior Vice President of Television Jocelyn Sabo and Director of Television Maggie Leung oversee the series on behalf of Lionsgate.
About “Run the World”
“Run the World” follows a group of smart, funny, and vibrant thirty-something Black women – fiercely loyal best friends – who live, work and play in Harlem. As they strive for world domination, they each navigate career highs and lows, hookups and heartbreaks that cause them to re-evaluate who they are and where they are going. At its core, it’s an authentic and unapologetic show about enviable friendship and not only surviving – but thriving together.
Follow “Run the World” on Social Twitter: @RunTheWorldTV | @STARZ Instagram: @RunTheWorldSTARZ | @STARZ Facebook: @RunTheWorldSTARZ Join the conversation with #RunTheWorld and #STARZ
About STARZ
STARZ (www.starz.com), a Lionsgate company, is a leading global media streaming platform committed to delivering premium content that amplifies narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences. STARZ is home to the highly-rated and first-of-its-kind STARZ app that offers the ability to stream or download STARZ premium content, as well as the flagship domestic STARZ(R) service, including STARZ ENCORE, 17 premium pay TV channels, and the associated on-demand and online services. In 2018, STARZ launched its STARZPLAY international premium streaming platform to provide subscribers access to the “best of global SVOD.” STARZPLAY, coupled with its STARZPLAY ARABIA joint venture, has expanded its global footprint into more than 60 countries throughout Europe and Latin America along with Canada, Japan, India and Indonesia. STARZ and STARZPLAY are available across digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies around the world. In February 2021, STARZ launched #TakeTheLead, a multi-faceted and innovative inclusion initiative expanding its existing efforts to improve representation on screen, behind the camera and throughout the company.
About Lionsgate
Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company’s film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by a 17,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.
