Kate Hudson (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery) is the queen of the court in Running Point Season 1, the basketball comedy from Mindy Kaling (Never Have I Ever). After premiering Feb. 27 on Netflix, the series was swiftly renewed for a second season.
Running Point stars Hudson as Isla Gordon, a Los Angeles executive who is unexpectedly appointed head of the family business — which happens to be one of the most famous professional basketball franchises in the country — when her older brother publicly flames out and appoints her the new owner.
The Golden Globe winner and Academy Award–nominated actor is also an executive producer of the sitcom. Joining Hudson in the comedy are Scott MacArthur and Drew Tarver as Isla’s brothers, Max Greenfield as her fiancé, Brenda Song as a high-level team staffer, and more familiar faces on and off the court.
Keep reading for everything you want to know about the sporty series, and go behind the scenes with Hudson’s interview on Skip Intro with Krista Smith. (You can also catch up on the Season 2 playbook and get a courtside first look at the new chapter, which premieres on April 23)
Isla, the only sister in a family of brothers, is ambitious and often overlooked. But when her brother is forced to resign from his position as president of the Los Angeles Waves, she’s appointed in his place. Now that she’s stepping up into the family business, she’s going to have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job. Over the course of the series, she sets out to do just that — making her way in the unpredictable, male-dominated world of sports.
“I've been eager to dive into something comedic with a team I admire, and this role offered a fresh challenge and was hilarious and engaging right from the start,” Hudson tells Tudum. “The chance to work with people I respect and to bring a unique female perspective to a male-driven world was incredibly appealing.”
It’s subject matter Kaling knows well. “I really love writing shows about ambitious women,” the producer tells Tudum, “whether they're a 15-year-old girl in the Valley [Never Have I Ever] or the president of a basketball team. We wanted to ensure that audiences could see themselves in the characters’ struggles and triumphs.”
You sure can. Get your head in the game with the Gordons in the trailer above.
Hudson leads as Isla — so let’s flesh out the rest of her family tree. First up, there’s Sandy Gordon (Tarver), the chief financial officer of the LA Waves. He thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room — and is often right. Hopelessly unathletic, Sandy felt alienated from his family his entire life and now works hard to prove he can return the franchise to greatness, or at least make them profitable.
Next, there’s Ness Gordon (MacArthur), the emotionally sensitive general manager of the Los Angeles Waves, who has an infectious enthusiasm for ideas both good and bad. A former player who burned out after one season in the pros, Ness now yearns for greatness in the front office to make up for his unremarkable career on the court — and to impress his siblings.
Cheering Isla on behind the scenes is her fiancé, Lev Levy (Greenfield), a good-natured pediatrician who enthusiastically supports his love.
Song plays Ali Lee, the LA Waves’ intimidating chief of staff. Born and raised in the South Side of Chicago, Ali knows where the bodies are buried. She understands the complex politics surrounding the Gordon family, having known Isla since they shared a dorm room in college. She’s funny, and so tough that even the biggest guy on the team is scared of her.
Drew Tarver as Sandy Gordon, Justin Theroux as Cam Gordon, and Scott MacArthur as Ness Gordon in Running Point Season 1.
Fabrizio Guido, Toby Sandeman, Chet Hanks, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, and Roberto Sanchez all play various LA Waves employees and the people close to them. Jackie Moreno (Guido) is a popcorn vendor at the LA Waves’ arena. His life changes forever when he’s thrust into the inner circle of his favorite team — and has the opportunity to work his way up the organization from the ground floor. Monterroso Mejia is Jackie’s cousin, Ana Moreno, a smart and ambitious personal injury attorney who’s always looking for an angle. Jay Ellis is the LA Waves head coach, Jay Brown. A celebrated former player, Jay has led the team to multiple championships with his zen-like approach. Also on the Waves’ off-the-court roster is Justin Theroux, who plays Isla’s disgraced older brother.
When it comes to LA Waves players, Sandeman plays Marcus Winfield, a once-in-a- generation talent with two championship rings, two Olympic gold medals, and 12 All-Star Game visits to prove it. But Marcus has mentally checked out from the Waves, and his lack of leadership has started to affect the team. Travis Bugg (Hanks) is also ruffling feathers on the squad. Travis is the team’s point guard … who also happens to moonlight as an unsuccessful rapper. Although Travis is a huge distraction on the court, he’s an even bigger problem for Isla off the court. Uche Agada (Rise) plays Dyson Gibbs, an eager rookie who just wants to prove himself in his new gig after Isla brings him up from the D-League. Dane DiLiegro (Prey, American Horror Stories) plays Badrag Knauss, an Eastern European LA Waves player. Although massive in stature and at times quite blunt, Badrag often surprises the team with his thoughtfulness.
Stephen Ramirez (Sanchez) is the intimidating head of the LA Waves board, who takes an old-fashioned, no-nonsense approach to his job. Stephen has been with the team through generations of Gordons and serves as a constant reminder of the old guard, making Isla feel desperate to prove she’s more than just Jack Gordon’s little daughter.
Learn more about the LA Waves’ roster with Tudum’s cast guide.
Brenda Song as Ali and Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon in Running Point Season 1.
The comedy series is now streaming. Rewind the game tape with Tudum’s guide to the ending once you’ve finished.
Yes! The LA Waves will take the court again on April 23. Stay tuned to Tudum for the play-by-play on the new season.
The 10-episode series comes from writers and executive producers Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen. Stassen serves as showrunner, while Los Angeles Lakers president and co-owner Jeanie Buss and the team’s manager of special projects Linda Rambis are executive producers, alongside Hudson and Howard Klein. Jordan Rambis is producer.
Buss’s involvement was crucial, as the series is a fictionalized take on the Lakers leader’s groundbreaking story. “Having known Jeanie since I was a teenager, I felt a unique connection to the character,” Hudson tells Tudum. “Jeanie's life and career in the male-dominated world of professional basketball are inspiring, and her willingness to let us explore a comedic version of that world was liberating. Jeanie's openness and sense of humor allowed us to push boundaries and have fun with the character. We were able to focus on the heart and passion of a woman striving to succeed in a challenging role.”
Non-basketball fans need not fret, as Kaling, Barinholtz, and Stassen, who share their own decades-long personal and professional history, emphasize that there is truly something for everyone in Running Point. “By creating compelling characters and storylines that resonate beyond the sports world, we wanted to engage a broad audience,” says Barinholtz. “The humor and heart of the show make it accessible to both sports fans and those new to basketball.”
Plus, the combination of sports and family drama allows the series to tackle themes like “ambition, legacy, and personal growth,” says Stassen. “It's a blend of comedy, drama, and relatable family dynamics, and I believe there's something for everyone to enjoy.”
Put simply, “It's designed to be inclusive and offer something for everyone without alienating folks,” Hudson says. “It's a big, warm embrace, which is true to Mindy's vision.”
Additional reporting by Ariana Romero.
