‘P-Valley’: Katori Hall Says the Series Is Based in Truth
Starz‘s hit drama series P-Valley is set to return to the small screen sooner than you think. The series was a massive hit when it first debuted in July 2020. Set in Chucalissa, Mississippi, the series follows the tight-knit group of women working as exotic dancers at the town’s infamous strip club, The Pynk. The club is owned by Uncle Clifford (Nicco Annan), a no-nonsense business owner trying to keep the club from going under.
Season 1 of P-Valley introduced several of Uncle Clifford’s dancers including, Autumn (Elarica Johnson), veteran dancer Mercedes (Brandee Evans), and new mother Keyshawn aka Ms. Mississippi (Shannon Thornton). Creator Katori Hall says the series works because it is all about the truth.
‘P-Valley’ Season 2 will debut June 3, 2022
After two years of anticipation, the second season of P-Valley is finally set to debut on Starz on June 3. The official description for the season gives fans hints about what they can expect.
“When darkness descends upon Chucalissa, errybody and they mama must fight tooth and talon to survive,” the Starz description says. “While some take flight to perilous new heights, others dig in their stilettos and stand their ground no matter the cost. Back at The Pynk, Autumn and Uncle Clifford grapple for the throne as new blood shakes up the locker room. Meanwhile, with the casino’s fate hanging in the balance, the local political machine kicks into overdrive. In these unprecedented times, death and danger lurk around every corner.”
Hall has also revealed that there will be a time jump between the first and seconds season. “Season 2 takes place five months after the season 1 finale,” she said in a behind-the-scenes video from Starz. “The pandemic has turned things upside down. Between the casino and COVID, they have a lot to deal with.”
Katori Hall says ‘P-Valley’ is based on truth
For Hall, the women of The Pynk and their personal and professional lives are all well-grounded in reality. “As strippers and people in the stripping industry — which is based on intimacy and gathering — our characters have to figure out a way to survive in a moment where gatherings have stopped,” Hall told Indiewire. “To us, it was just a very universal experience, like everybody and they mama had to deal with having their dreams, their livelihoods stop. We’re using fiction to tell a very important truth that I think is going to resonate with our fan base, and also newer viewers who come to the show.”
‘P-Valley’ is supposed to be as authentic as possible
One of the things that have stood out in P-Valley in comparison to other series is the authenticity of the series. Director Karina Evans explained that she wanted the show to be as realistic as possible, even visually. “[For me] it wasn’t about shying away from the nudity,” Evans told Teen Vogue. “Despite dealing with the complexity of the hypersexualization of Black women, it was about empowering them in the process of showing this honestly. And it was so damn challenging, but I learned so much about myself, about storytelling, about filmmaking, about these characters, about Mississippi, about this world, about … I don’t even have the words, all of the words, to describe that experience. There were so many growing pains. I’m so grateful for Katori and so grateful for that experience.”
We’re going to see what’s next for Uncle Clifford and her dancers in just a couple of short months.
