Ambitions (TV series)

Ambitions is an American drama television series created by Jamey Giddens and Will Packer, and executive produced by Will Packer Productions and Lionsgate Television.[1] The series stars Robin Givens as the glamorous and powerful Stephanie Carlisle, the wife of Atlanta Mayor Evan Lancaster (Brian J. White) and Essence Atkins as Amara Hughes, a lawyer in the U.S. Attorney's Office, who recently relocated to Atlanta. The series premiered on June 18, 2019 on the Oprah Winfrey Network.[2] The second half of the first season debuted on OWN, November 12, 2019. In January 2020, OWN canceled the series after one season.[3]

Ambitions
GenreSoap opera
Family drama
Created by
Starring
Composer(s)Akira Kosemura
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes18 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
  • Will Packer
  • Kevin Arkadie
  • Jamey Giddens
  • Sheila Ducksworth
Running time42 minutes
Production company(s)
DistributorDebmar-Mercury
Release
Original networkOprah Winfrey Network
Picture format
Original releaseJune 18 (2019-06-18) –
December 17, 2019 (2019-12-17)
External links
Official website

Premise

Ambitions explores the sexy, deceitful machinations of love, power and politics in America's hottest urban mecca, Atlanta, Georgia. The action revolves around two intense rivalries. The first has formidable legal eagles Stephanie Carlisle (Givens) and Amara Hughes (Atkins), former best friends from Spelman College, as adversaries in both their personal and professional lives. At the story's inception, Amara and her husband, Titus Hughes (Kendrick Cross), move to Atlanta for a fresh start. Stephanie, who is married to Evan Lancaster (White), the city mayor, is driven to ruin Amara's marriage over an old conflict over who would become Titus's long-term love interest. The second is between two powerful families—the Carlisles (who own a major law firm) and the Purifoys (who own a large pharmaceutical corporation). The series features themes such as infidelity, blackmail, stalking, murder, gentrification, racism, intra-racial class stratification and the American opioid crisis, which ground the show in contemporary issues. Unforgettable strivers like Mayor Lancaster's sister and round-the-way diner owner Rondell Lancaster (Brely Evans) and his mistress Mexican-American fashion designer Bella Tru (Erica Page) round out the ensemble cast of regulars.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring
  • Christina Kirkman as Lori Purifoy, daughter of Hunter Purifoy
  • Steven Williams as Stephen Carlisle, a powerful attorney and father of Stephanie
  • Brian Bosworth as Hunter Purifoy, a pharmaceutical magnate
  • Deena Dill as Juniper Purifoy, Hunter's wife
  • Gino Anthony Pesi as Greg Peters
  • Alexander Mulzac as Damian Collins
  • Kayla Smith as Carly Lancaster, Stephanie and Evan's daughter
  • Donna Biscoe as Irene Perkins Carlisle, Stephanie's mother
  • Tony Vaughn as Evan "Senior" Lancaster, Sr., Evan and Rondell's father who founded Thelma's Place
  • Lana Young as Inez Trujillo, Bella's mother who works at Thelma's Place
  • Andrew Rush as Alix, Evan Lancaster personal security detail.
  • Felisha Terrell as Marilyn Barnes, Stephanie and Amara's sorority sister, a philanthropist
  • E. Roger Mitchell as Marvin Barnes, Marilyn's husband and owner of Beta Nu Electric
  • Maria Legarda as Perla, Bella's jealous friend

Episodes
No.Title [4]Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [4]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Friends & Lovers"Benny BoomJamey GiddensJune 18, 2019 (2019-06-18)1.18[5]
2"Woman to Woman"Larry ShawKevin ArkadieJune 25, 2019 (2019-06-25)1.14[6]
3"Welcome to Birmingham"Larry ShawSusan DansbyJuly 2, 2019 (2019-07-02)1.09[7]
4"Reap What You Sew"Benny BoomMichele Val JeanJuly 9, 2019 (2019-07-09)0.75[8]
5"Killing Me Softly"Benny BoomTrey AnthonyJuly 16, 2019 (2019-07-16)0.59[9]
6"What About Your Friends"Angela GomesJamey GiddensJuly 23, 2019 (2019-07-23)0.71[10]
7"Poison and Wine"Angela GomesJazmen Darnell BrownJuly 30, 2019 (2019-07-30)0.68[11]
8"Backstabbers"Neema BarnetteSusan DansbyAugust 6, 2019 (2019-08-06)0.71[12]
9"Giving Up"Neema BarnetteMichele Val JeanAugust 13, 2019 (2019-08-13)0.66[13]
10"Ex-Factor"Benny BoomGabrielle Fulton PonderAugust 20, 2019 (2019-08-20)0.74[14]
11"A Change is Gonna Come"Benny BoomKevin ArkadieAugust 27, 2019 (2019-08-27)0.79[15]
12"The Thrill Is Gone"Kenny LeonJazmen Darnell BrownNovember 12, 2019 (2019-11-12)0.59[16]
13"Since I Lost My Baby"Kenny LeonJacqueline McKinley & Antonia MarchNovember 19, 2019 (2019-11-19)0.54[17]
14"You Owe Me"Crystle RobersonGabrielle Fulton PonderNovember 26, 2019 (2019-11-26)0.54[18]
15"Blood on the Dance Floor"Crystle RobersonJazmen Darnell BrownDecember 3, 2019 (2019-12-03)0.60[19]
16"Hit 'em Up"TBATBADecember 10, 2019 (2019-12-10)0.48[20]
17"Through the Wire"TBATBADecember 10, 2019 (2019-12-10)0.54[20]
18"Save the Best for Last"TBATBADecember 17, 2019 (2019-12-17)0.57[21]

Production

Development

On April 17, 2018, it was announced that Oprah Winfrey Network ordered straight-to-series new scripted drama Ambitions from producer Will Packer and Lionsgate Television.[1] The series was created by Jamey Giddens.[22] Kevin Arkadie later joined as showrunner and Benny Boom directed the pilot episode.[23] On January 23, 2020, the series was canceled after one season.[3]

Casting

On November 13, 2018, it was announced that Givens will play the leading role, along with Atkins, White, Cross, Evans and Page.[24] On December 4, 2018, Steven Williams and Christina Kirkman have joined the cast.[25] In January 2019, Brian Bosworth, Deena Dill, Gino Anthony Pesi and Kayla Smith were cast in recurring roles for the first season.[26]

References
  1. Andreeva, Nellie (April 17, 2018). "OWN Orders 2 Will Packer Series: Drama 'Ambitions' & Unscripted 'Ready To Love'". Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  2. Trailer: The Series Premiere of "Ambitions" | Ambitions | Oprah Winfrey Network Oprah Winfrey Network Official YouTube Channel, May 7, 2019
  3. Swift, Andy (January 23, 2020). "Ambitions Cancelled After 1 Season". TVLine. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  4. "Ambitions – Listings". The Futon Critic. November 13, 2019.
  5. Metcalf, Mitch (June 19, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.18.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  6. Metcalf, Mitch (June 26, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 6.25.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  7. Metcalf, Mitch (July 3, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.2.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  8. Metcalf, Mitch (July 11, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.9.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  9. Metcalf, Mitch (July 17, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.16.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  10. Metcalf, Mitch (July 24, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.23.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  11. Metcalf, Mitch (July 31, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 7.30.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  12. Metcalf, Mitch (August 7, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.6.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  13. Metcalf, Mitch (August 14, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.13.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 14, 2019.
  14. Metcalf, Mitch (August 21, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.20.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  15. Metcalf, Mitch (August 28, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 8.27.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
  16. Metcalf, Mitch (November 13, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.12.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  17. Metcalf, Mitch (November 20, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.19.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  18. Metcalf, Mitch (November 27, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.26.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
  19. Metcalf, Mitch (December 4, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.3.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  20. Metcalf, Mitch (December 11, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.10.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  21. Metcalf, Mitch (December 18, 2019). "Updated: ShowBuzzDaily's Top 150 Tuesday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.17.2019". Showbuzz Daily. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  22. Holloway, Daniel (April 17, 2018). "OWN Orders Two Series From Will Packer". Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  23. "Breaking News - OWN's New Family Saga "Ambitions," From Will Packer, Jamey Giddens, Lionsgate and Debmar-Mercury, Starts Production in Atlanta - TheFutonCritic.com". www.thefutoncritic.com. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  24. Petski, Denise (November 13, 2018). "'Ambitions': Robin Givens To Lead Ensemble Cast Of Will Packer's OWN Drama Series". Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  25. Pedersen, Erik; Pedersen, Erik (December 4, 2018). "'Ambitions': Steven Williams & Christina Kirkman Join Will Packer's OWN Drama Series". Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  26. Petski, Denise; Petski, Denise (January 8, 2019). "'Ambitions': Brian Bosworth, Deena Dill, Gino Anthony Pesi & Kayla Smith To Recur On OWN Drama Series". Retrieved March 10, 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.