BET announces the linear television return of fan-favorite BET+ original series First Wives Club — the network previously announced that highly anticipated Season 2, currently filming in Atlanta, is set to release in 2021 exclusively on BET+. In the interim, viewers can relive all the drama of Season 1 as episodes will air weekly for a limited time beginning Wednesday, January 27 @ 10:00PM ET/9:00PM CT on BETand BET Her.
A sitcom reboot of the popular 1996 Paramount Pictures film, First Wives Club is one of the first original series to launch on BET+. The 9-episode half-hour comedy follows Ari, Bree and Hazel; three best friends who reunite after several years alienated from their friendship to see and support each other through a tabloid-ridden divorce, unsatisfying marriage, a cheating husband and other marital woes.
First Wives Club cast includes:
Ryan Michelle Bathe as “Ari”
Actor and producer Ryan Michelle Bathé currently stars in the CBS series All Rise and has a diverse list of credits for roles in popular television titles such as Fox’s Empire and NBC’s This is Us; Bathé also stars in newly released film on Amazon, Sylvie’s Love. In First Wives Club, Ryan plays “Ari” – Driven, beautiful, and motherly. By trade a lawyer, she sets aside her career to run her husband’s campaign for New York Senate. Ari is totally selfless and wishes her husband David could be a bit more attentive.
Jill Scott as “Hazel”
Multi-hyphenate Jill Scott is a singer-songwriter, model, poet, and actress. The platinum-selling artist is a three-time Grammy Award winner, notable philanthropist and most recently received a nomination for NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series. In First Wives Club, Jill plays “Hazel” – Creative, tough, and a superstar. Hazel is a Grammy Award-winning singer struggling to succeed in the middle of her career. Hazel brings a grit to the group. Having mixed business and pleasure, Hazel now navigates a looming divorce from her music producer husband, Derek.
Michelle Buteau as “Bree”
Michelle Buteau is an actress, author and comedian. She recently published her first book Survival of the Thickest (Gallery Books) and released her first one-hour comedy special Welcome to Buteaupia (Netflix). She currently hosts The Circle for Netflix, which will return for Season 2 this Spring. This spring she will be seen in the feature film “Marry Me”(Universal). In First Wives Club, Michelle plays “Bree” – Brilliant yet ditzy, outspoken yet insecure. Bree is the wildcard of the group. As an orthopedic surgeon, she is the breadwinner of her family, which causes her husband, Gary, to feel undervalued. Bree’s relationship is the most hot and cold, as she is scared of what life will be like if her husband moves on with a younger woman.
Mark Tallman as “David”
Mark Tallman is an actor known for his role in All My Children, Single Ladies, and State of Affairs. In First Wives ClubMark Plays “David” – Determined, stoic, selfish. His time is consumed with running for the New York Senate; David falls short in providing emotionally for his wife Ari.
Malik Yoba as “Derek”
A New York native, Malik got his start on New York Undercover. Since then, he has appeared in many films and television shows, including, Empire, Designated Survivor, and The Last O.G. In First Wives ClubMalik plays Derek – Powerful, arrogant, and manipulative. Derek is the head of the record label to which his wife, Hazel, is signed. When Hazel learns Derek is cheating on her with another artist, he purposefully sabotages her career.
RonReaco Lee as “Gary”
Hailing from Stone Mountain, Georgia, RonReaco is a prolific actor known for his role in BET’s Let’s Stay Together, STARZ’s Survivor’s Remorse, and Disney’s Sister, Sister. In First Wives Club RonReaco plays “Gary” – Caring, nerdy, and a little of a player, Gary is a schoolteacher and the husband of Bree. Feeling like he doesn’t get enough credit for handling most of the parenting, Gary separates from Bree to explore dating other women.
First Wives Club is executive produced and written by Tracy Oliver. Karen Rosenfelt, Scott Rudin, Tony Hernandez also serve as executive producers.
All season one episodes are now streaming on BET+. For more information visit BET.com and follow us @bet across social media platforms (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter).
