The Sex Lives of College Girls
Genre
Created byMindy Kaling
Justin Noble
Starring
Music byJoseph Stephens
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Bonnie Muñoz
  • Caroline Goldfarb
  • Rheeqrheeq Chainey
Cinematography
  • Rick Page
  • Chuck Ozeas
  • David Miller
Editors
  • Mat Greenleaf
  • Kyla Plewes
  • Iris Hershner
  • Giselle Murillo
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time22–51 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network
ReleaseNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18) 
present (present)

The Sex Lives of College Girls is an American teen comedy-drama television series created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble that premiered on HBO Max on November 18, 2021.[1][2] In December 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on November 17, 2022.[3][4] In December 2022, the series was renewed for a third season.[5]

Premise

The series follows the lives of four 18-year-old freshmen roommates at the fictional Essex College in Vermont, covering their sexually active lifestyle as they deal with the struggles and hardships of college and adulthood.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

  • Rob Huebel as Henry, Leighton and Nico's father
  • Gillian Vigman as Mimi, Leighton and Nico's mother
  • Nicole Sullivan as Carol, Kimberly's mother
  • James Morosini as Dalton (season 1), Whitney's assistant soccer coach
  • Kavi Ramachandran Ladnier as Reena (season 1), Bela's mother
  • Stephen Guarino as Roger, the Sips manager
  • Jillian Armenante as Coach Woods (season 1), Whitney's head soccer coach
  • Conor Donnally as Ryan (season 1), a writer for The Catullan
  • Sierra Katow as Evangeline, a writer for The Catullan
  • Maya Rose as Jena, Whitney's antagonistic teammate who later becomes her friend
  • Sherri Shepherd as Evette, Whitney's mother and a U.S. senator from Washington
  • Betti as Travis, a student who lives in the dorm
  • Cheyenne Perez as Jo, a writer for The Catullan
  • Scott Lipman as Frude, the residence director of the dorm
  • Isabella Roland as Carla, a fellow writer for The Catullan
  • Amanda Ripley as Ginger
  • Vico Ortiz as Tova
  • Gedde Watanabe as Professor Harpin, Bela and Whitney's biochemistry teacher
  • Donielle Nash as Jayla, a friend of Whitney's
  • Aketra Sevillian as Zoe (season 2), an employee at Sips
  • Charlie Hall as Andrew (season 2),[9] Bela and Whitney's biochemistry classmate
  • Gracie Dzienny as Tatum (season 2), Leighton's new love interest

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
110November 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)December 9, 2021 (2021-12-09)HBO Max
210November 17, 2022 (2022-11-17)December 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)

Season 1 (2021)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date[10]Prod.
code
11"Welcome to Essex"David Gordon GreenMindy Kaling & Justin NobleNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)T40.10301
Four 18-year-old girls who come from different walks of life start settling in as first year suite mates, and begin navigating new relationships, extracurriculars and culture shock. Later, the girls hit an exclusive party to blow off some steam.
22"Naked Party"Zoe CassavetesAli Liebegott & Caroline GoldfarbNovember 18, 2021 (2021-11-18)T40.10302
The first week finds Kimberly feels out of her league. Meanwhile, Leighton thrives academically, but is failing in other areas. Whitney encounters drama on the field. Looking to step out their comfort zones, Bela and Kimberly go to a nude party.
33"Le Tuteur"Zoe CassavetesRupinder GillNovember 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)T40.10303
After being caught for underage drinking, Leighton is forced to work off 100 hours in the Women center. Bela begins to explore the local dating pool in Vermont. Whitney seeks to take things to the next level with Dalton.
44"Kappa"Kabir AkhtarCharlie Grandy & Beth AppelNovember 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)T40.10304
After mingling with an exclusive sorority, Leighton gets roped into a date with a boy, while Whitney confides in a teammate about her relationship with Dalton. With Kimberly in tow, Bela speaks her mind at a high-profile Catullan event.
55"That Comment Tho"Rachel RaimistMatt Warburton & Sheridan WatsonNovember 25, 2021 (2021-11-25)T40.10305
As Kimberly tries to reel from a cryptic message from Nico, Leighton accidentally invites the women center to Nico's party. After having an uncomfortable experience, Bela is conflicted in what to do next. Whitney decides to do investigative work, but it backfires.
66"Parents Weekend"Meredith DawsonMindy Kaling & Justin NobleDecember 2, 2021 (2021-12-02)T40.10306
Parents Weekend has arrived at Essex's, the girls have to endure an uncomfortable dinner where parents clash, egos are bruised, and secrets are revealed.
77"I Think I'm a Sex Addict"Lila NeugebauerRupinder Gill & Vanessa Baden KellyDecember 2, 2021 (2021-12-02)T40.10307
Kimberly begins seeing Nico on the downlow for NSA. Bela anxiously waits to see where she stands with the Catullan. Whitney begins to seek a connection with Canaan. Leighton decides to take things to the next level with Alicia.
88"The Surprise Party"Maggie CareyCharlie Grandy & Kristen ZublinDecember 2, 2021 (2021-12-02)T40.10308
When Leighton decides to host a surprise party for Nico's 21st birthday, a surprise is let out the bag that sends Kimberly reeling. Bela feels she silenced a writer. A rumor about Whitney threatens to ruin her whole future.
99"Cheating"Kabir AkhtarCaroline Goldfarb & Beth AppelDecember 9, 2021 (2021-12-09)T40.10309
Still heartbroken and angry, Kimberly makes an awful decision. Leighton's fear of coming out upends her weekend with Alicia. Bela navigates the fallout with the allegations.
1010"The Truth"Liza JohnsonJustin Noble & Rupinder GillDecember 9, 2021 (2021-12-09)T40.10310
As the Fall Semester is nearing an end, Kimberly deals with the fact she might be expelled following being caught. Bela makes a decision for her career. Leighton confesses something to Kimberly.

Season 2 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date[10]Prod.
code
111"Winter Is Coming"Daniella EismanCaroline GoldfarbNovember 17, 2022 (2022-11-17)T40.10401
Returning to Essex for their second semester, the girls have to deal with the aftermath of the cheating scandal as they are social pariahs to all of the frats on campus. Kimberly is forced to come up with ways to pay her tuition after her scholarship is now revoked. After soccer season ends, Whitney deals with her now open free time. Bela tries to form her own magazine but has to compete next to Eric.
122"Frat Problems"Daniella EismanRupinder GillNovember 17, 2022 (2022-11-17)T40.10402
In order to win back the frats, Leighton and Bela decide to host a body positive strip show. Kimberly thinks she found another co-signer, but encounters an uncomfortable conversation with their spouse. Whitney begins to get jealous of Canaan's new friend.
133"The Short King"Lila NeugebauerSarah TapscottNovember 24, 2022 (2022-11-24)T40.10403
Trying to grow her horizons, Whitney and Bela decide to take bio chem. Kimberly decides a new, but risky fix to her money problem. Bela considers a short king. Leighton enjoys the perks of being freshly out, but quickly finds herself in a situation.
144"Will You Be My Girlfriend?"Lila NeugebauerRheeqrheeq ChaineyNovember 24, 2022 (2022-11-24)T40.10404
Bela scambles to expand "The Foxy's reach ahead of its release. Jackson invites Kimberly for an intimate study session. Canaan asks Whitney a question that has her spinning. Leighton gets called out during rush week.
155"Taking Shots"Thembi BanksJustin Noble & Sheridan WatsonDecember 1, 2022 (2022-12-01)T40.10405
Kimberly and Leighton begin to bond as she administers her hormone injections. Whitney decides to confront an issue of being identified as another black girl. Bela clashes with Eric and her new Catullan replacement.
166"Doppelbanger"David StassenMindy KalingDecember 1, 2022 (2022-12-01)T40.10406
Leighton begins to seek a connection with a junior, who reminds her of herself. Bela decides to seize a major opportunity but creates a bad choice that has the power to ruin her relationship with Eric. Kimberly tries to prove that Jackson and her aren't just friends.
177"The Essex College Food Workers Strike"Tazbah ChavezBeth AppelDecember 8, 2022 (2022-12-08)T40.10407
Kimberly and the food workers go on strike, and receive unlikely help from a source. Whitney sets out to crush her final lab but is forced to deal with her partner's sexist remarks. Bela finds herself in hot water when the truth about her cheating on Eric comes out.
188"Pre-Frosh Weekend"Tazbah ChavezSarah Tapscott & Modupe ThompsonDecember 8, 2022 (2022-12-08)T40.10408
Bela welcomes her best friend Priya to Essex, but her new makeover makes her feel threatened. Kimberly struggles to find common ground with Jackson. Whitney and Andrew can't help avoid their attraction to each other. Leighton decides to come out to her dad.
199"Sex & Basketball"Rupinder GillRupinder Gill & Caroline GoldfarbDecember 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)T40.10409
Kimberly has a love epiphany after she accompanies Canaan to an award banquet. Bela makes a mistake that could affect her partnership with her Foxy colleagues. Whitney and Andrew go on an awkward date. Leighton starts having second thoughts about Tatum after returning to the women's center.
2010"The Rooming Lottery"Justin NobleJustin Noble & Beth AppelDecember 15, 2022 (2022-12-15)T40.10410
As the girls' first year at Essex's draws to an end, they attempt to figure out what their sophomore year will be like. However, when unforeseen circumstances arises and life altering decisions are made, they quickly come to terms with the reality that they might not be together the next year.

Production

Development

The series was first announced at the HBO Max presentation in October 2019, under the working title College Girls. It was given a straight-to-series order of 13 half-hour episodes with Mindy Kaling announced to create, write and executive produce the series under her overall deal with Warner Bros. Television.[1] In May 2020, the series was confirmed to be launching in 2021, under the new title The Sex Lives of College Girls.[11] In October 2020, it was announced that the first episode would be co-written by Kaling and Never Have I Ever's Justin Noble, with Noble joining the series as executive producer.[12] On December 7, 2021, HBO Max renewed the series for a second season.[3] On December 14, 2022, HBO Max renewed the series for a third season.[5]

Casting

On October 14, 2020, the lead cast, made up of Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Reneé Rapp and Alyah Chanelle Scott, was announced.[12] Dylan Sprouse joined the main cast in December 2020,[13] but was replaced by Gavin Leatherwood on March 12, 2021, who was cast alongside Midori Francis, Chris Meyer, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Lolo Spencer, and Renika Williams in starring roles.[14] On May 19, 2021, Sherri Shepherd, Maya Rose, Rob Huebel, Nicole Sullivan, Conor Donnally, Sierra Katow, Mekki Leeper, and James Morosini joined the cast in recurring capacities.[15] On August 16, 2021, Izzy Roland, Kavi Ladnier, Stephen Guarino, Matt Maloy, Donielle Nash, and Najee Muhammad joined the cast in recurring capacities.[16] On June 3, 2022, Mitchell Slaggert was cast as a new series regular for the second season.[8] On August 15, 2022, Charlie Hall joined the cast in an undisclosed capacity for the second season.[9] On July 10, 2023, it was announced that Rapp is only set to recur for the third season, and depart the series after that to focus on her music career.[6]

Filming

The series began filming on November 20, 2020, in Los Angeles.[17] Filming also took place at Vassar College in mid-2021.[18] On June 19, 2021, recurring cast member Sherri Shepherd posted a behind-the-scenes video of her character in costume and revealed that the series was scheduled to premiere in late 2021.[19] Filming for the second season began in late April 2022, some of which took place on the University of Washington's Seattle campus.[20][21][22]

Release

The Sex Lives of College Girls premiered on November 18, 2021, with the first two episodes available immediately, followed by three new episodes on November 25 and December 2, and the final two episodes of the first season on December 9 on HBO Max.[2] The second season was released on November 17, 2022, with two episodes available immediately and two more episodes available weekly on Thursdays until the season finale on December 15.[4] In November 2023, HBO CEO and Chairman Casey Bloys announced that the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls will debut in spring 2024.[23]

On July 5, 2022, the series became available on the RTÉ Player in the Republic of Ireland with some episodes also airing on RTÉ2.[24] The two seasons are available in the United Kingdom via ITVX.[25] In Belgium, the show can be watched via Streamz.[26]

Reception

Critical response

For the first season, the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 97% approval rating with an average rating of 7.6/10, based on 30 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "While The Sex Lives of College Girls doesn't rewrite the syllabus for Anthropology 101, it succeeds gracefully as a warm-hearted romp on campus."[27] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 72 out of 100 based on 17 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[28]

Saloni Gajjar of The A.V. Club gave the first season a B+ and wrote, "The way the show tackles how teens cope with sudden freedom is both funny and truthful."[29] Angie Han of The Hollywood Reporter, said that it is "nothing novel or fancy [but] warm and gooey enough to satisfy."[30]

On Rotten Tomatoes, the second season holds an approval rating of 93% with an average rating of 6.6/10, based on 14 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus states, "Bawdy and sweet as ever, The Sex Lives of College Girls continues to excel as a refreshing twist on youthful indiscretions."[31] On Metacritic, it has received a score of 79 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[32]

Accolades

The Sex Lives of College Girls was nominated for the Outstanding New TV Series category for the 33rd GLAAD Media Awards in 2022.[33] For its casting department (Elizabeth Barnes and Jennifer Euston), the series was nominated for an Artios Award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Pilot Casting.[34] The series is set to be awarded the "Seal of Female Empowerment in Entertainment" (SOFEE) by the Women's Committee of the Critics Choice Association,[35] for its outstanding work in "[illuminating] the female experience and perspective through authentically told female-driven stories."[36]

Notes

  1. Gavin Leatherwood does not appear in 1x04 and is not credited.
  2. Christopher Meyer does not appear in 1x02, 1x03, 1x06, 2x03 and 2x05 and is not credited.
  3. Ilia Isorelýs Paulino does not appear in 1x02, 1x06, 1x09, 2x03 and 2x05 and is not credited.
  4. Renika Williams does not appear in 1x06, 1x07, 2x03 and 2x04 and is not credited.
  5. Lauren "Lolo" Spencer does not appear in 1x04, 1x07, 1x08, 2x02, 2x05, 2x06 and 2x09 and is not credited.
  6. Midori Francis is credited as a series regular from the third through the tenth episode of the first season.
  7. Mekki Leeper is credited as a series regular from the first through the seventh episode of the second season.
  8. Mitchell Slaggert is credited as a series regular from the first through the ninth episode of the second season.

References

  1. 1 2 Ramos, Dino-Ray (October 29, 2019). "Elizabeth Banks, Issa Rae & Mindy Kaling Set New Comedy Series At HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 17, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Max Original Comedy THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS Debuts November 18". WarnerMedia (Press release). September 22, 2021. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  3. 1 2 Cordero, Rosy (December 7, 2021). "'The Sex Lives Of College Girls' Renewed For Season 2 At HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Roots, Kimberly (October 19, 2022). "The Sex Lives of College Girls Season 2 Trailer Promises All-Male 'Striptacular' and Lots More — Get Release Date". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 19, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Campione, Katie (December 14, 2022). "'The Sex Lives Of College Girls' Renewed For Season 3 At HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 14, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  6. 1 2 White, Peter (July 10, 2023). "Reneé Rapp To Exit Max's 'The Sex Lives Of College Girls'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  7. Complex, Valerie (March 29, 2022). "Actor Gavin Leatherwood Not Returning To Season 2 Of HBO Max Comedy 'The Sex Lives Of College Girls'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  8. 1 2 Petski, Denise (June 3, 2022). "'The Sex Lives Of College Girls': Mitchell Slaggert Joins Season 2 As New Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Cordero, Rosy (August 15, 2022). "Charlie Hall Books Trio Of TV & Film Roles Including 'Sex Lives of College Girls' Spot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  10. 1 2 "Shows A-Z – The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max". The Futon Critic. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  11. @WarnerMedia (May 28, 2020). "#HBOMax is here! 🥳 Our groundbreaking streaming platform features iconic and beloved programming from across the WarnerMedia portfolio, a roster of new Max Originals, & fan-favorite acquired franchises & films" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  12. 1 2 Del Rosario, Alexandra (October 14, 2020). "'The Sex Lives Of College Girls': Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Renée Rapp, Alyah Chanelle Scott To Lead HBO Max Comedy Series From Mindy Kaling". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  13. Del Rosario, Alexandra (December 16, 2020). "Dylan Sprouse Joins HBO Max's 'The Sex Lives Of College Girls' Cast As Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  14. Petski, Denise (March 12, 2021). "'The Sex Lives Of College Girls': Midori Francis, Gavin Leatherwood Among Six Cast In Mindy Kaling's HBO Max Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  15. Petski, Denise (May 19, 2021). "'The Sex Lives Of College Girls': Mindy Kaling's HBO Max Series Adds 9 To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 19, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  16. Cordero, Rosy (August 16, 2021). "'The Sex Lives Of College Girls': Mindy Kaling's HBO Max Series Rounds Out Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  17. "The Sex Lives Of College Girls". Production List. November 2, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  18. Barry, John (May 6, 2021). "New HBO Max series to film in Dutchess County". Times Union. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  19. Shepherd, Sherri [@sherrieshepherd] (June 19, 2021). "The most powerful African American U.S. Senator Evette Chase has arrived. Should I run for president? Having fun on the set of @MindyKaling's "The Sex Lives of College Girls" premiering on @HBOMax this fall 2021 #ReclaimingMyTime" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 19, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021 via Twitter.
  20. Paulino, Ilia Isorelys [@iliaisorelyspaulino] (April 26, 2022). "I know I keep posting BUT A BITCH IS EXCITED TO BE BACK OKAAYYYYYY". Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022 via Instagram.
  21. Kaling, Mindy [@mindykaling] (April 19, 2022). "Back at Essex College with these baddies. @thesexlivesofcollegegirls Season 2 table read time!". Archived from the original on May 1, 2022. Retrieved May 1, 2022 via Instagram.
  22. "Filming for HBO Max series continues July 22 through August 4". Faculty & Staff Insider. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  23. Thomas, Leah Marilla; Fuentes, Tamara (November 2, 2023). "Your Official 'Sex Lives of College Girls' Season 3 Cheat Sheet". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  24. "The Sex Lives of College Girls ***New*** | RTÉ Presspack". RTÉ. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  25. Lynch (November 2022). "The Sex Lives Of College Girls is on ITV". The Streambible. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  26. "The Sex Lives of College Girls - Seizoen 1 - Online kijken - Streamz". Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  27. "The Sex Lives of College Girls: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  28. "The Sex Lives of College Girls: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  29. Gajjar, Saloni (November 16, 2021). "Mindy Kaling delivers a delightful teen comedy romp in The Sex Lives Of College Girls". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  30. Han, Angie (November 17, 2021). "HBO Max's 'The Sex Lives of College Girls': TV Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  31. "The Sex Lives of College Girls: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  32. "The Sex Lives of College Girls: Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  33. Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 19, 2022). "GLAAD Media Awards: Yellowjackets, Chucky, Doom Patrol, Harlem and Hacks Among First-Time TV Nominees". TVLine. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  34. Pedersen, Erik (October 17, 2022). "Artios Awards TV Nominations: Netflix & HBO/Max Lead Field For Casting Society". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 1, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  35. "'Women Talking' and 'The Sex Lives of College Girls' to receive the Seal of Female Empowerment in Entertainment (SOFEE)". Critics Choice Association. December 12, 2022. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  36. "Seal of Female Empowerment in Entertainment". Critics Choice Association. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.