Survival of the Thickest explained

Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:8
Network:Netflix

Survival of the Thickest is a comedy-drama television series co-created by Michelle Buteau and Danielle Sanchez Witzel for Netflix, based on a memoir of the same name. The series stars Buteau as a woman attempting to rebuild her life after a breakup.[1] [2] [3] The series was released on July 13, 2023. In early 2024, Netflix announced that the show was renewed for a second season.[4]

Premise

Recently turned single Black woman, Mavis Beaumont, attempts to rebuild her life after "putting all of her eggs in one man's basket". As a struggling stylist, she is about to face various hurdles ahead as she tries to get herself together. Alongside her friends and relatives, she tries to survive and break through her problems, career and relationship-wise, with her "body-positive attitude, cute v-neck, and some lip-gloss".[5]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Special Guests

Production

Development

On January 24, 2022, Netflix announced an eight-episode television adaptation of Michelle Buteau's autobiographical essays Survival of the Thickest, with Buteau and Danielle Sanchez-Witzel as co-creators and executive producers.[6] [7] Witzel, who previously developed The Carmichael Show and co-produced New Girl, was revealed as the showrunner of the television series as part of her multi-year deal with Netflix. Ravi Nandan and Alli Reich of A24 also joined as co-executive producers.[8] On August 31, 2022, Anne Hong from Mosaic was announced as co-executive producer.[9] [10] Meanwhile, Linda Mendoza was announced to be one of the series directors, and directed the first two episodes of the series.

Casting

Michelle Buteau was announced as the series lead on January 24, 2022 alongside the television series announcement. On August 31, 2022, Tone Bell and Tasha Smith joined alongside Buteau as main cast members. On October 7, 2022, it was unveiled that Garcelle Beauvais, Anissa Felix, Peppermint, Taylor Selé, and Marouane Zotti joined the cast in recurring roles. Additionally, on October 18, 2022, Michelle Visage, Sarah Cooper, Anthony Michael Lopez, Liza Treyger, and Allan K Washington were revealed to have joined the cast.[11]

In July 2024, for the second season, it was announced Smith had been promoted to series regular, with Anderson .Paak, Jonathan Chad Higginbotham, Deon Cole, Alecsys Proctor-Turner, Jerrie Johnson, Celisse, Rolonda Watts, Michael Rishawn, Tika Sumpter, Monét X Change, RonReaco Lee, and Yves Mathieu East set to guest star.[12] [13]

Filming

Principal photography of the series reportedly started on September 26, 2022, with New York revealed as one of the shooting locations.[14] [15] The filming reportedly concluded on November 20, 2022.

Principal photography for the second season commenced in July 2024.[16]

Release

The first trailer for the series launched on YouTube on May 25, 2023.[17] Its second trailer was released a month later on June 24, 2023.[18]

Survival of the Thickest premiered on Netflix on July 13, 2023.

Reception

[19] On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 65 out of 100, based on 6 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[20]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: White . Peter . 2022-01-24 . Michelle Buteau Lands Comedy Series 'Survival Of The Thickest' At Netflix As Part Of Expanded Relationship . 2022-11-21 . . en-US.
  2. Web site: Chapman . Wilson . 2022-01-24 . Netflix Orders Comedy Series Starring Michelle Buteau; Apple TV Plus Shares Behind-the-Scenes Look at 'Servant' (TV News Roundup) . 2022-11-21 . . en-US.
  3. Web site: Massoto . Erick . 2022-01-25 . 'Survival of the Thickest': Netflix Orders Michelle Buteau-Led Series Based on Her Essay Collection . 2022-11-21 . . en-US.
  4. Web site: Stephan . Lee . 2024-02-13 . 'Survival of the Thickest Snatches a Second Season' . 2024-04-15 . . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2022-02-25 . Michelle Buteau on Her New Netflix Show and Why the Real Comedy Heroes Are Names You Don't Know Yet . 2022-11-21 . . en.
  6. Web site: Adalian . Josef . 2022-08-25 . The Age of A24 TV Is Upon Us . 2022-11-21 . . en-us.
  7. Web site: Jackson . Angelique . 2022-02-22 . 'Marry Me' Standout Michelle Buteau Is Prepping for Her Own Rom-Com Story, 'Survival of the Thickest' . 2022-11-21 . Variety . en-US.
  8. Web site: Breaking News - Tasha Smith and Tone Bell Join Michelle Buteau in "Survival of the Thickest" TheFutonCritic.com . 2022-11-21 . The Futon Critic.
  9. Web site: White . Peter . 2022-08-31 . 'Survival Of The Thickest': Tone Bell To Star, Tasha Smith To Recur & Linda Mendoza To Direct Michelle Buteau's Netflix Comedy Series . 2022-11-21 . Deadline . en-US.
  10. Web site: Cordero . Rosy . 2022-10-07 . 'Survival of the Thickest': Garcelle Beauvais, Anissa Felix & Peppermint Among 5 New Cast . 2022-11-21 . Deadline . en-US.
  11. Web site: Schneider . Michael . 2022-10-18 . Michelle Buteau's Upcoming Netflix Comedy Adds Five More to Cast, Including Michelle Visage and Sarah Cooper (EXCLUSIVE) . 2022-11-21 . Variety . en-US.
  12. Web site: Survival of the Thickest Snatches a Season 2. Netflix. Stephan. Lee. July 15, 2024. August 1, 2024.
  13. Web site: Yves Mathieu East Joins ‘Survival of the Thickest’ Season 2 (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Etan. Vlessing. July 30, 2024. August 1, 2024.
  14. Web site: Asatryan . Tigran . 2022-09-10 . 'Survival of the Thickest' Netflix A24 Series: What We Know So Far . 2022-11-21 . What's on Netflix . en.
  15. Web site: 2022-10-20 . Production Weekly - Issue 1321 - Thursday, October 20, 2022 / 137 Listings - 30 Pages . 2022-11-21 . Production Weekly . en-US.
  16. Web site: Michelle Buteau Talks ‘Survival of the Thickest’ Season 2 Guest Stars, Directors, and Why Season 1 Won’t Score Any Emmy Nominations (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Abbey. White. July 15, 2024. August 1, 2024.
  17. Web site: Video: "Survival of the Thickest" - Teaser - Netflix TheFutonCritic.com . 2023-06-26 . The Futon Critic.
  18. Web site: Video: "Survival of the Thickest" - Official Trailer - Netflix TheFutonCritic.com . 2023-06-26 . The Futon Critic.
  19. Survival of the Thickest. survival_of_the_thickest. tv. 1. July 24, 2023.
  20. Web site: Survival of the Thickest. Metacritic. July 24, 2023.