Queens (American TV series)

Did You Know?

• The series aired on CTV in Canada.
• Both seasons were removed from Disney+ in 2022 due to cost-cutting measures.

Plot

Brianna, Naomi, Jill, and Valeria were the 1990s hip-hop group the Nasty Bitches. Now in their forties and estranged, they reunite to reclaim their former fame. Their stage names are Professor Sex, Butter Pecan, Jill Da Thrill, and Xplicit Lyrics.

Cast and characters

Eve plays Brianna 'Professor Sex' Robinson. Brandy Norwood portrays Naomi 'Xplicit Lyrics' Harris-Jones. Naturi Naughton is Jill 'Da Thrill' Sumpter. Nadine Velazquez plays Valeria 'Butter Pecan' Mendez. Taylor Sele appears as manager Eric Jones. Pepi Sonuga plays Lauren 'Lil Muffin' Rice. Precious Way plays Jojo Harris, Naomi's 20-year-old daughter. Cam'ron plays a fictionalized version of himself. Felisha Terrell plays Tina Dubois, Jill's girlfriend. RonReaco Lee plays Jeff Robinson, Brianna's husband. Emerson Brooks plays Darren Filgo, Jill's ex-husband. Elaine del Valle plays Valentina. Remy Ma plays Zadie 'Lady Z'. Fivio Foreign plays himself. Lucius Baston plays DJ Kool Red.

Production

In January 2021, ABC ordered a pilot from Scandal writer Zahir McGhee. Tim Story was announced as director in March 2021. The series was ordered on May 14, 2021, and premiered October 19, 2021. ABC canceled it on May 6, 2022. Eve was cast in February 2021, Naturi Naughton later that month, Pepi Sonuga in March, Brandy on March 8, 2021, Nadine Velazquez the next day, and Taylor Sele the day after. The first promo single 'Nasty Girl' was released October 1, 2021, with a music video by Tim Story. 'The Introduction', co-written by Nas, and Brandy's solo 'Hear Me' were released October 18, 2021. Swizz Beatz is the music producer. Three tracks were released for the second episode: 'Belly of the Bitch', 'Heart of Queens' featuring Cam'ron, and Brandy's cover of 'Wrecking Ball'. 'Girls Gonna Run That' was released November 1, 2021. A rap battle between Brandy and Eve was released November 3, 2021. Brandy's cover of 'Ain't No Sunshine' was released November 8, 2021. 'Until My Final Breath' was released December 13, 2021. 'Lady Z Strikes Back (Can't Stop You)' by Brandy and Remy Ma was released January 3, 2022.

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating based on 14 critic reviews. Metacritic assigned a score of 75 out of 100. Caroline Framke of Variety praised the raps as sharp and distinct. Liz Shannon Miller of Collider said the show may become addictive. Joel Keller of Decider called it well-executed froth. The song 'Nasty Girl' was nominated for Outstanding Original Song at the 2022 Black Reel Awards for Television.