There is no show like “P-Valley”. Starz’s Mississippi-set crime drama may have flown under the awards radar after its first season, but its blend of film-noir tension and soap-opera theatrics – all set in the world of a small-town strip club called ‘The Pynk’ – it is more than deserving of its flowers.
Series creator Katori Hall developed the television show based on her less coy comedy “Pussy Valley.” But it’s an easy tidbit to forget while watching. This is a story that feels artfully designed for the medium of television, where the eclectic cast of characters are given room to grow and bounce off one another across arcs and seasons. “P-Valley” isn’t recognized enough to have one of television’s most colorful and talented ensembles: a team that includes Nicco Annan as the club’s non-binary owner, Uncle Clifford; Brandee Evans as Veteran Dancer Mercedes; Elarica Johnson as the enigmatic Hailee; Shannon Thornton as perky influencer Keyshawn; and J. Alphonse Nicholson as an aspiring rapper and Clifford’s love interest Lil Murda.
Beyond the elegantly stacked cast, the show is also one of the most visually immersive experiences on television in 2023, with neon-drenched cinematography, rap-heavy needle drops, and beautifully filmed and choreographed pole dance numbers that emphasize the beauty, the athleticism, and sometimes pain behind the stripping.
‘P-Valley’ season 2, which aired last summer, successfully delved into the beloved cast of characters while fearlessly tackling burning issues. Starting off in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, the show tackles the economic realities that companies like The Pynk have suffered during the lockdown. The shadow of the pandemic hangs over the entire season, even as the cast expands with new faces and the characters get into messy criminal enterprises. The result is a marked improvement over the show’s already stellar first installment, and a season of television full of jaw-dropping, memorable moments.
“P-Valley” will be one of several performances coming to IndieWire’s annual Consider This event this Saturday, June 3 at the NeueHouse Hollywood (before the Emmys on September 18). Annan, Evans and Nicholson are present for a panel on the show, along with Jamaica Craft series choreographer and music supervisor Sarah Bromberg. The five will talk about the events of season two, how they brought to life the show’s most acrobatic pole dance scenes, and what’s to come in the drama’s announced third season.
Read on for a look at the top 10 “P-Valley” Season 2 moments, listed in chronological order.
