Mindy Kaling Set to Dunk in Sports Arena With Netflix Series Starring Kate Hudson

Mindy Kaling has cast Brenda Song, Scott MacArthur, and Drew Tarver for her yet-untitled series for Netflix. The comedy, set in the world of pro basketball, with Kate Hudson as the lead, received a 10-episode order at the streaming platform, according to a Netflix press release. 

The story revolves around Isla Gordon (Hudson), who takes over as president of the Los Angeles Waves. She is “forced” to lead the professional basketball franchises, and her family business when a scandal forces her brother to resign,” according to a summary on the Netflix website. Ambitious and often overlooked, Isla will have to prove to her skeptical brothers, the board, and the larger sports community that she was the right choice for the job, especially in the unpredictable, male-dominated world of sports.”

Song will star as Ali Lee, the chief of staff of the Waves. The character is said to be born and raised on the South Side of Chicago and “knows where the bodies are buried, according to her character description. “She understands the complex politics surrounding the Gordon family, having known Isla since they shared a dorm room in college. She’s funny, tough, and even the biggest guy on the team is scared of her.”

Tarver will play Sandy Gordon, one of Isla’s brothers and the chief financial officer of The Waves. Sandy “thinks he’s the smartest guy in the room, and is often right,” his character description states. Being “hopelessly unathletic and bad at sports,” Sandy felt “alienated by his family his entire life. He now works hard to prove he can return the franchise to greatness — or at least make them profitable.”

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MacArthur will play Ness Gordon, described as “the emotionally sensitive general manager of Waves.” He has an infectious enthusiasm for ideas both good and bad. A former player himself “who burned out after one season in the pros,” he now “yearns for greatness in the front office to make up for his unremarkable career on the court, and to impress his siblings.”

Kaling serves as co-writer and executive producer on the series along with frequent collaborators Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, with Stassen also serving as showrunner. Hudson will executive produce in addition to starring. Jeanie Buss, president of the Los Angeles Lakers, will also executive produce along with Lakers executive director Linda Rambis as well as Howard Klein of 3 Arts. Jordan Rambis will produce. Warner Bros. Television, where Kaling and her Kaling International banner are under an overall deal, will produce.