Mistresses (U.S. TV series)

Mistresses
Genre
Developed by K.J. Steinberg
Written by
  • Lowri Glain
  • S.J. Clarkson (original series)
Starring
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 26 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Rina Mimoun
Douglas Rae
Grant Scharbo
Robert M. Sertner
K.J. Steinberg
Location(s)
Running time 43 minutes
Production company(s) ABC Studios
Ecosse Films
Bob Sertner Productions
Good Talk Productions
Distributor Disney–ABC Domestic Television
Broadcast
Original channel ABC
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
720p (HDTV)
Original run June 3, 2013 – present
External links
Official website

Mistresses is an American mystery drama television series based on the 2008–10 U.K. series of the same name, about the lives of four female friends and their involvement in an array of illicit and complex relationships. This adaptation was developed by K.J. Steinberg, and stars Alyssa Milano, Rochelle Aytes, Yunjin Kim and Jes Macallan in the lead roles. The series was originally set to premiere on May 27, 2013.[1] However, ABC announced that Mistresses would premiere on June 3, 2013.[2]

On September 30, 2014, ABC renewed Mistresses for a third season.[3] which will premiere on June 18, 2015.[4]

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring cast

Episodes

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 13 June 3, 2013 September 9, 2013
2 13 June 2, 2014 September 1, 2014

Development and production

In February 2012, ABC announced that it had green-lighted Mistresses with a direct-to-series order and a planned summer 2013 airdate. Thirteen episodes were ordered.[8][9][10][11] K.J. Steinberg wrote the pilot episode, which had previously been under consideration for a pilot order for ABC’s fall 2012 schedule.[8]

Casting announcements began in early March, with Rochelle Aytes and Jes Macallan being the first actors cast.[12] Aytes portrays April, a widow and mother of one, while Macallan plays Josslyn, a real estate broker and the youngest of the women. Yunjin Kim came on board the project in mid-March in the role of Karen, a psychiatrist who is upset over the death of a patient with whom she was involved.[13] Alyssa Milano completed the lead cast when she signed on to portray Savannah, a married lawyer and older sister to Josslyn.[14]

This is the second attempt by a network to import the British series to the U.S. In 2008, Lifetime announced it was developing the series,[15] but it never made it to air. The Lifetime version was also to have starred Aytes, alongside Milano's Charmed co-star Holly Marie Combs.[12]

On September 25, 2013, ABC renewed Mistresses for a second season,[16] which aired from June 2 to September 1, 2014.[17]

On September 30, 2014, Milano announced that she would not be returning for the third season of the series as production of the program would be moved from Los Angeles to Vancouver.[18] On February 10, 2015, it was confirmed that actress Jennifer Esposito would join the cast as the new co-lead Calista Raines, described as the creative director of a luxury fashion brand.[6][19]

Reception

Critical reception

Mistresses holds a score of 41 out of 100, based on negative reviews by critics from early in the first season.[20] Brian Lowry of Variety was quite optimistic about the series, stating: "A frothy prime time soap with a definite naughty streak, the program looks well suited to scratch an itch for daytime serial fans ABC abandoned." He went on to state: "Although the characters and situations largely mirror its inspiration, this U.S. version wisely seeks a somewhat cheekier and less somber tone."[21] Writing for The Wall Street Journal, Dorothy Rabinowitz likened the show to Sex and the City, stating: "Mistresses carries very little hint of any complex lineage, give or take a few scenes that could, with ferocious effort, evoke memories of Carrie Bradshaw and company." Rabinowitz also stated that "the really delectable fun, the best of the sparkle, is to be found in the darkest plots, the looming catastrophes, which promise to come in an endless flow."[22]

In less positive reviews, New York Daily News' David Hinckley gave the premiere two out of five stars, stating that "ABC loves racy romantic dramas, but Mistresses is not its best work in the genre." He continued by saying that "the problem with Mistresses may lie with the expectations it has set."[23] Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times stated that executive producer K.J. Steinberg is "grasping the letter yet not the spirit of the thing, appears more interested in replicating plot from the British version rather than character or anything like nuance." However, she did praise Jes Macallan, who "infuses her free-spirited (i.e., promiscuous) character with humor and a disarming lack of guile."[24] However, the series gained critical praise and a loyal fan following as it aired.[25]

Ratings

The premiere episode scored a 1.2 in the 18–49 age demographic and 4.40 million viewers.[26] The first season ranked as the No. 2 scripted summer drama among adults 18-49, behind Under the Dome,[27] and averaged around 5 million viewers and a 2.0 18-49 rating, with DVR ratings factored in.[28]

Awards

In 2013, Mistresses won the Seoul International Drama Award for Most Popular Foreign Drama. The award was accepted by series star Yunjin Kim.[29]

Broadcast

Mistresses premiered on CTV in Canada on June 3, 2013, the same day it premiered in the US.[30] The series premiered in the United Kingdom on July 25, 2013, on TLC[31] In Australia, Mistresses premiered on September 30, 2013, on the Seven Network.[32]

References

  1. ↑ Kubicek, John (February 27, 2013). "ABC Sets Summer Premiere Dates for 'The Bachelorette' and 'Mistresses'". Buddy TV. Retrieved February 27, 2013.
  2. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 21, 2013). "ABC Announces Its 2013 Summer Schedule: 'Mistresses', 'Rookie Blue', 'The Bachelorette', 'Motive' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 4, 2013.
  3. ↑ Jue, Teresa (September 30, 2014). "ABC renews 'Mistresses'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 30, 2014.
  4. ↑ http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/rookie-blue-mistresses-bachelor-in-paradise-celebrity-family-feud-abc-announces-summer-premieres-36158/
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Andreeva, Nellie (March 23, 2012). "Delta Burke To Star In 'Counter Culture', 'How To Live' & 'Mistresses' Add To Casts". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Harnick, Chris (February 10, 2015). "Who's Replacing Alyssa Milano? Mistresses Casts New Female Lead". E! Online. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  7. ↑ Slezak, Michael (February 3, 2015). "Mistresses Scoop: Client List Star Cast as New Playmate for Harry". TV Line. Retrieved February 14, 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Andreeva, Nellie (February 7, 2012). "ABC Gives Series Order To KJ Steinberg's Drama 'Mistresses' For Summer 2013". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  9. ↑ Wightman, Catriona (February 9, 2012). "'Mistresses' US remake to air on ABC". Digital Spy. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  10. ↑ Rose, Lacey (February 7, 2012). "ABC Greenlights Thriller Drama 'Mistresses' for Potential Summer 2013 Launch". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  11. ↑ "ABC at TCA: We Were Number One in "C3 Entertainment" This Fall". The Futon Critic. January 10, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2012). "ABC Series 'Mistresses' Casts 2 Leads". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  13. ↑ Mitovich, Matt (March 16, 2012). "Lost's Yunjin Kim Finds Role on ABC's Mistresses". TV Line. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  14. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 22, 2012). "Alyssa Milano To Star In ABC's 'Mistresses', Amanda Walsh Joins Fox's 'Rebounding'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Development Update: Monday, April 14". The Futon Critic. April 14, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  16. ↑ Marechal, A.J. (September 25, 2013). "‘Mistresses’ Renewed by ABC". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2013.
  17. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 24, 2014). "ABC Announces 2014 Summer Schedule Including 'Mistresses', 'Rookie Blue', 'Motive' + New Series 'The Quest', 'Rising Star' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  18. ↑ Raferty, Liz (October 1, 2014). "Why Is Alyssa Milano Leaving Mistresses?". TV Guide. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  19. ↑ Hibberd, James (February 10, 2015). "Jennifer Esposito to replace Alyssa Milano on Mistresses". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Mistresses (2013): Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  21. ↑ Lowry, Brian. "Review: "Mistresses"". Variety. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  22. ↑ Rabinowitz, Dorothy (June 14, 2013). "Love, Friendship and Cheating Hearts". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  23. ↑ Hinckley, David (June 3, 2013). "‘Mistresses,’ TV review". New York Daily News. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  24. ↑ McNamara, Mary (June 3, 2013). "Review: Little charm in these 'Mistresses'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  25. ↑ Hughes, Jason (September 10, 2013). "'Mistresses' Finale Reveals Father, Leaves Several Lives In Jeopardy (VIDEO)". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  26. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 4, 2013). "Monday Final Ratings: 'The Voice' & 'The Goodwin Games' Adjusted Up + No Adjustment for 'Revolution' Finale". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
  27. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (September 25, 2013). "'Mistresses' Renewed for Second Season at ABC". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  28. ↑ Hibberd, James (September 25, 2013). "'Mistresses' renewed by ABC". EW.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  29. ↑ Winners at the Seoul International Drama Awards 2013
  30. ↑ "CTV unveils summer lineup including The Amazing Race Canada and Mistresses". thestar.com. May 7, 2013. Retrieved September 26, 2013.
  31. ↑ "Mistresses UK air date". May 24, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
  32. ↑ Knox, David (September 23, 2013). "Airdate: Mistresses". TV Tonight. Retrieved September 23, 2013.

External links