The Hub’s Entertainment Watch List: P-Valley
From the catchy theme song to the eclectic characters, P-Valley is sure to capture your attention. The show takes viewers inside the lives of the owner and dancers at the fictional Mississippi strip club, “The Pynk.” P-Valley first hit television screens in the summer of 2020 and has become a show enjoyed (and sometimes criticized) by more than 4 million viewers nationwide.
The show debuted on Starz and was created by Katori Hall. It stars Nicco Annan as the ever witty and fashionable Uncle Clifford. Uncle Clifford is the owner of “The Pynk,” Chucalissa’s premier strip club, and his stable of dancers includes the self-proclaimed OG, “Mercedes,” who is played by Brandee Evans. Mercedes, along with fellow dancers “Gidget” (Skyler Joy) and “Miss Mississippi” (Shannon Thornton) help to keep the customers coming to the popular club.
Viewers are also introduced to the club’s mysterious newcomer, Autumn Night (Elarica Johnson) and “Lil Murda” (J. Alphonse Nicholson) the town’s next big rapper who ends up taking a special interest in The Pynk. Other noteworthy characters include “Grandmother Ernestine,” played by the legendary Loretta Devine as well as the club’s security team: “Big L” (Morocco Omari) and “Diamond” (Tyler Lepley).
Outside of being dancers, audiences are able to see the complexities of their everyday lives. Issues range from domestic violence and suicide to teenage pregnancy and sexuality. The show’s creator, Katori Hall, began crafting the foundation of the series in 2009 as part of a playwriting group and was able to see the story come to life on stage in 2015.
The show’s leading actor, Nicco Annan has also been an original part of the story. Hall told Entertainment Weekly, “he literally has been a part of this process from the first pages.” Adding that Annan read the first four pages of her work before she shared it with the playwriting group.
P-Valley now has two seasons and 18 episodes available on streaming platforms. The season two finale wrapped with stolen funds, failed escapes and kidnappings, ultimately leaving fans wondering when to expect season 3. An upcoming season has not been officially confirmed by Starz or Hall, but there has been speculation that the show could be back as early as the summer of 2023.
