Oscar nominee Kate Hudson teams up with Netflix for her second television series, “Running Point,” from the creative team of Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen. When a scandal forces her oldest brother Cam (Justin Theroux) to resign, Isla Gordon (Hudson) is appointed president of the Los Angeles Waves, one of the most storied professional basketball franchises and her family business.
Isla is an ambitious yet often overlooked individual who faces the daunting challenge of proving her worth to her skeptical brothers—Ness (Scott MacArthur) and Sandy (Drew Tarver)—as well as the board and the broader sports community. As she fights to assert her vision, she encounters resistance from some players on the team; the rebellious Travis Bugg (Chet Hanks) and the steadfast team captain, Marcus Winfield (Toby Sandeman), are especially reluctant to embrace her ideas.
Despite these obstacles, Isla is not alone on her journey. She draws strength from her unwavering support system, which includes her devoted fiancé, Lex (Max Greenfield), a compassionate dentist who stands by her side. Along with her resourceful assistant, Ali (Brenda Song), and the eager new intern, Jackie (Fabrizio Guido), Isla also finds encouragement in her long-time friend, Coach Jay (Jay Ellis), who shares her passion for the sport. Together, they form a close-knit team that rallies behind Isla as she strives to redefine her place in the male-dominated world of sports.
Many dedicated sports enthusiasts may perceive Running Point as a fictionalized portrayal of Jeanie Buss, the controlling owner and president of the Los Angeles Lakers. For the most part, the parrels are there, particularly the angle of the three older brothers. However, the creative team generally puts a bold twist on the underdog comedy formula.
While she is known for her romantic comedies, Hudson has shown dramatic range when given the right material. Running Point doesn’t fall into silly tropes; it taps into Hudson’s charming, witty, and lovable optimism throughout ten episodes. Throughout the entire series, I was rooting for Isla to succeed and give kudos to the creative for making her the show’s focus and allowing basketball to play a secondary role.
Taking this angle allowed the show to build a cohesive narrative as Isla adjusts to the new role, which affects her relationship with Max and surprises her on her journey to success. Hudson also gives equal time to the cast mates who make up her support circle, allowing them to have memorable moments over the series’ run.
If I had to choose an MVP from the cast, it would be either Fabrizio Guido or Toby Sandeman, as both kept me smiling the most and made me eagerly anticipate their appearances. A hilarious cameo from a former child star in a later episode caught me off guard.
With its engaging storyline and everywoman approach from Hudson, “Running Point” is worth the view.
Final Grade: B
“Running Point” premieres today on Netflix.
