Modern-day black women are usually portrayed as strong, confident and “flawless.” But Issa and Molly are definitely not “killing it.” These best friends must deal with their own real-life flaws as they attempt to navigate different worlds and cope with an endless series of uncomfortable everyday experiences.
Created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore, the comedy series INSECURE launches its eight-episode season SUNDAY, OCT. 9 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Rae stars as Issa and Yvonne Orji stars as Molly on the show, which explores the black female experience in an unclichéd and authentic way.
Over the course of the season, Issa attempts to figure out what she wants out of life and how to take control of it, while fumbling her way through this journey. Molly, a corporate attorney who appears to have everything together professionally, struggles inside as she looks for external ways to fix her life.
Meanwhile, Issa’s boyfriend, Lawrence (Jay Ellis), who has fallen victim to complacency, works to get his own act together. Frieda (Lisa Joyce), Issa’s overeager white co-worker, whose enthusiasm is both annoying and endearing, is at the crux of Issa’s racial frustrations at work.
Shot in and around South Los Angeles, INSECURE incorporates the music of both indie and established artists of color, and touches on a variety of social and racial issues that relate to the contemporary black experience.
October’s episodes:
- Episode #1: “Insecure as F**k”
- Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 9 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
- Other HBO playdates: Oct. 9 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 11 (midnight), 12 (3:05 a.m.), 13 (10:45 p.m.) and 15 (10:05 p.m., 2:20 a.m.)
- HBO2 playdates: Oct. 10 (9:30 p.m.), 12 (8:30 p.m.) and 14 (8:00 p.m.)
- In the wake of her 29th birthday, Issa Dee (Issa Rae) reconsiders her dead-end relationship with Lawrence (Jay Ellis), her live-in boyfriend. Meanwhile, Issa’s best friend, Molly (Yvonne Orji), mourns her singledom and the state of her “lady parts.” Later, Issa uses an open-mic night as an excuse to reconnect with an ex.
- Written by Issa Rae & Larry Wilmore; directed by Melina Matsoukas.
- Episode #2: “Messy as F**k”
- Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 16 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)
- Other HBO playdates: Oct. 16 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 17 (12:45 a.m.), 18 (11:45 p.m.), 20 (10:30 p.m.), 21 (3:15 a.m.) and 22 (4:00 a.m.)
- HBO2 playdates: Oct. 17 (9:30 p.m.), 19 (8:30 p.m.) and 21 (8:00 p.m.)
- After the unexpected events of the previous night, Issa (Issa Rae) tries to decide what to do about Lawrence (Jay Ellis), while sticking to her plan to embrace a bolder side of herself. Molly (Yvonne Orji) treats herself to a “fancy day” and goes on a promising date. Lawrence gets advice from an unexpected source.
- Written by Issa Rae; directed by Cecile Emeke.
- Episode #3: “Racist as F**k”
- Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 23 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)
- Other HBO playdates: Oct. 23 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 25 (11:00 p.m.), 27 (10:45 p.m.) and 29 (12:40 a.m.)
- HBO2 playdates: Oct. 24 (9:30 p.m.), 26 (8:30 p.m.) and 29 (8:00 p.m.)
- Issa (Issa Rae) and Lawrence (Jay Ellis) try to move past their issues at home, as she deals with her colleagues’ doubts and he gets a reality check from a head hunter. Molly (Yvonne Orji) introduces Jared (Langston Kerman) to her friends, and later struggles to give words of wisdom to a new summer associate at work.
- Written by Dayna Lynne North; directed by Melina Matsoukas.
- Episode #4: “Thirsty as F**k”
- Debut: SUNDAY, OCT. 30 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)
- Other HBO playdates: Oct. 30 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.) and Nov. 1 (11:30 p.m.), 3 (10:30 p.m.) and 5 (1:50 a.m.)
- HBO2 playdate: Oct. 31 (9:30 p.m.)
- Although things are better than ever with Lawrence (Jay Ellis), Issa (Issa Rae) turns to Daniel (Y’lan Noel) for help during Career Day. Molly (Yvonne Orji) finds herself in a tough position when a partner asks her to give Rasheeda (Gail Bean) a talking-to. Facing disappointment at his new job, Lawrence bonds with a surprising confidante.
- Written by Laura Kittrell; directed by Kevin Bray.
The series will also be available on HBO NOW, HBO GO, HBO On Demand and affiliate portals.
Issa Rae wrote the New York Times bestseller “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl,” which was published in 2015. Her web content has garnered more than 25 million views and over 200,000 subscribers on YouTube. In addition to making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list twice and winning the 2012 Shorty Award for Best Web Show for her hit series “Awkward Black Girl,” she has worked on web content for Pharrell Williams, Tracey Edmonds and numerous others.
INSECURE was created by Issa Rae and Larry Wilmore; executive produced by Issa Rae, Prentice Penny, Melina Matsoukas, Michael Rotenberg, Dave Becky and Jonathan Berry. Larry Wilmore serves as a consultant.
