Entertainment Extra

2 ENTERTAINMENT EXTRA By Kyla Brewer TV Media A ll good things must come to an end, as the saying goes. Unfortunately, that's even true in prime time. A critically acclaimed television series prepares to take its final bow with one last sea- son, and viewers won't want to miss a single moment. Issa Rae ("The Hate U Give," 2018) returns as Issa Dee, a sometimes awkward Black woman struggling to find her footing in life, in "Insecure," air- ing Sunday, Oct. 24, on HBO. The episode marks the premiere of the popular show's fifth and final season. Based on Rae's web series "The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl," which pre- miered online in 2011, "Insecure" was co-created by Larry Wilmore ("The Bernie Mac Show") and premiered way back in October 2016. Rae serves as an executive producer along with Prentice Penny ("Girlfriends"), Michael Rotenberg ("Silicon Valley"), Melina Matsoukas ("Queen & Slim," 2019), Dave Becky ("Russian Doll") and Jonathan Berry ("A Black Lady Sketch Show"). The show follows Issa and her best friend, Molly (Yvonne Orji, "Spontaneous," 2020), who appear to lead very different lives. While Issa works for a non- profit and struggles with her con- fidence, Molly is a successful cor- porate attorney. However, the women, who've been friends since their days at Stanford, share a close bond as they expe- rience life as Black women in South Los Angeles. Mixing comedy with drama, the show has been praised by fans and critics for its exploration of social and racial issues as the women strive to find professional success while looking for love. In January, HBO broke the news that Season 5 would be the show's last. "Issa [Rae] has turned insecu- rity into an iconic form of come- dy," HBO executive Amy Gravitt said in an official release. "The show is as incisive as it is heart- felt, and it has resonated strongly with its audience because of the deeply personal work that Issa, Prentice, Melina, the cast and the writers have put into it. This tal- ented team has conceived a bril- liant final season for 'Insecure,' and we look forward to having many more stories to tell with this singular group of collabora- tors." While it has come as sad news to fans of the series, there may be some comfort in knowing this was always meant to be. Shortly after it was revealed that the show was coming to an end, Rae explained to Deadline.com that the intention was always to tell the story in five seasons. Still, it's a bitter pill to swallow for those who've connected with Issa and friends' relatable stories. Since the show's debut episode that followed Issa on her ill-fated 29th birthday when she began to question everything from her job to her relationship with longtime boyfriend Lawrence (Jay Ellis, "Escape Room," 2019), "Insecure" has chronicled Issa's life, punctuated by awkward moments, mirror raps and rela- tionship drama. "As we laugh and cringe with recognition, their stories make us all feel a little less alone in the world," Gravitt explained. In addition to Issa, Molly and Lawrence, viewers have come to relate to Kelli (Natasha Rothwell, "Love, Simon," 2018), one of Issa's college friends who isn't afraid to speak her mind, and Tiffany (Amanda Seales, "I Be Knowin"), another college friend who seems to have it all as a wife and mother. And last sea- son, Molly ended her relation- ship with Andrew (Alexander Hodge, "Modern Family"), so it's unclear whether he'll return in Season 5. To discuss heavy decisions like this in a world still affected by COVID-19, the writers met via video chat to work on the fifth season in a virtual writers' room. Table reads occurred over Zoom as the cast got together to go over the scripts — and fans are likely anxious to find out what those scripts reveal. Last season, Lawrence revealed that his ex-girlfriend is pregnant, leaving Issa to decide what to do next. While the nature of Issa and Lawrence's relationship remains unclear, it looks like Issa's ex, Nathan (Kendrick Sampson, "The Vampire Diaries"), will make an appearance in Season 5. Actress Keke Palmer ("Scream Queens") is also slated to guest star, but details about her role had not been released as of press time. In other Season 5 news, award-winning actress Kerry Washington ("Scandal") will return to direct the fifth episode of the season. She was wel- comed into the "Insecure" fami- ly when she directed a Season 4 episode entitled "Lowkey Trying," which won an Emmy for Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series. Schwering Realty 2 x 2" Pear Tree Gallery 3 x 2" On the Cover Alexander Hodge and Yvonne Orji in "Insecure" Kicking off the final season of Issa Rae's 'Insecure' Chase Center 3 x 2" American Legion Post 60 2 x 3" Thrifty Muffler 2 x 2.5"

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