[TV] BET BREAKOUT HIT “TWENTIES” FROM CREATIVE FORCE LENA WAITHE OF HILLMAN GRAD PRODUCTIONS RETURNS FOR SEASON 2 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, ALONG WITH A NEW ORIGINAL AFTER-SHOW HOSTED AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY B. SCOTT

Today, BET announces premiere date for hit series, “TWENTIES” and new companion after-show, “TWENTIES AFTER-SHOW WITH B. SCOTT,” Wednesday, October 13 starting at 10 PM ET/PT on BET and BET Her. From creator, writer, and executive producer Lena Waithe and Hillman Grad Productions, the GLAAD Media Award-nominated series, follows ‘Hattie,’ a masculine-presenting queer Black woman in her twenties, played by Jonica T.Gibbs (“Good Trouble”) and her two straight best friends, ‘Marie’ played by Christina Elmore (“Insecure”) and ‘Nia’ played by Gabrielle Graham (“Possessor”), as they try to find their footing in life, love, and the professional world in Los Angeles. BET will premiere a new half-hour series touching on key themes explored in “Twenties” titled “Twenties After-Show With B. Scott.” The after-show will provide candid commentary and insights into some of the characters’ mishaps and successes. B. Scott will be joined by the cast and an esteemed roster of guests including voices from the Black LGBTQ+ community that haven’t always been given a platform to share their personal experiences.

The success of ‘Twenties” reflects an evolution at BET: championing inclusivity on all platforms and in all productions. In the spirit of expanding opportunities to do more, the network is excited to continue its partnership with Lena Waithe and work with B. Scott in creating spaces for diverse voices to be seen, heard, and celebrated. The after-show also marks B. Scott’s return to BET, a homecoming, eight years in the making. B. Scott is widely considered to be one of the pioneers of the blogging business -- known for dropping industry-shaking exclusives featured in publications such as Variety, US Weekly, People, and Essence. B. Scott and their work are often cited in noted media outlets including 'The Wendy Williams Show,’ 'The Real,' TMZ, and 'The Breakfast Club.'

In the season opener, episode #201 “One Night Only?” ‘Hattie’ juggles working on her script, settling into a new place, and trying to make it work with ‘Ida B.’ played by Sophina Brown. Meanwhile, ‘Nia’ starts her first day on Cocoa’s Butter, and ‘Marie’ questions her relationship with ‘Chuck,’ played by Jevon McFerrin.

The dynamic ensemble cast includes Jonica T. Gibbs, Christina Elmore, Gabrielle Graham, Sophina Brown, and Jevon McFerrin. Along with a recurring guest cast including Alex Akpobome, Louie Anderson, Madeline Byrne, Rick Fox, Ashli Haynes, Kiki Haynes, Donell Rawlings, Nia Jervier, Bernard David Jones, Lea Robinson, Big Sean, Shylo Shaner, Iman Shumpert, Marsha Thomason, Kym E. Whitley, Vanessa L. Williams, and Parker Young. “Twenties” is executive produced by Lena Waithe, Susan Fales-Hill, who serves as showrunner, Rishi Rajani, and Andrew Coles.


(B. Scott hosts “Twenties After-Show with B. Scott”)
(Photo credit: D’Andre Michael)

In the premiere episode B. Scott sits down with Lena Waithe and Jonica T. Gibbs where they will take a deep dive into the new season discussing, Why Lena took a chance on newcomer Jonica T. Gibbs? Why it is so significant to have a Queer, Black woman as a lead character on TV? How did “Twenties” find its home on BET? And a lot more!

Additional guests will include Amber Whittingham (@amberscloset), Christina Elmore (‘Marie,’ Twenties), Crystal Anderson (Dear, Black Love), David Bernard Jones (‘Jason,’ Twenties), Derica Cole Washington (Costume Designer), Donnell Rawling (Comedian, Actor and ‘Dwayne,’ Twenties), Estelle (Singer) Gabrielle Graham (‘Nia,’ Twenties), Iman Shumpert (NBA Player and ‘Quintrell,’ Twenties), JessHilarious (comedian), Jevon McFerrin (‘Chuck,’ Twenties), Kenya Moore (TV and Media Personality), Lea Robinson (‘Rev Ty,’ Twenties), Nia Jervier (‘Vanessa,’ Twenties), Parker Young (‘Zach,’ Twenties), Rich Fresh (Designer), Shylo Shaner (‘Idina,’ Twenties) Sophina Brown (‘Ida B.,’ Twenties) and Xavier Watson (‘Chance,’ Twenties).

“Twenties After-Show With B. Scott” is executive produced by Lena Waithe and Rishi Rajani, with Rocio Melara overseeing for their Hillman Grad Productions banner; B. Scott under their Ahoskie Productions banner; Sergio Alfaro, Michael Weinberg, Fernita Wynn, Ray Giuliani for Invent TV; producer Alberlynne “Abby” Woods; consultant Rachel Miskowiec.

About “Twenties” season two:

“TWENTIES” premiered to critical acclaim with its first-time portrayal of a masculine-presenting Queer woman of color as the lead in a primetime show. The scripted series created and written by Waitheand Hillman Grad Productions stars Jonica T.Gibbs as Hattie, a queer Black girl who is chasing her dreams of being a screenwriter in Los Angeles alongside her two best friends, Marie and Nia, played by Christina Elmore and Gabrielle Graham respectively. While they live separate lives, the girls lean on each other for guidance as they navigate their twenties and test the limits of diversity, love, and inclusion. “Twenties” marks the first time the network has been nominated for a GLAAD Media Awards for a series.

For more information on “Twenties” and “Twenties After-Show With B. Scott,” please visit BET.com/Twenties and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #TwentiesOnBET

Press Release: BET