The Oval (TV series) explained

Alt Name:Tyler Perry's The Oval
Creator:Tyler Perry
Director:Tyler Perry
Composer:Jay Weigel
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:5
Num Episodes:113
Camera:Multiple camera
Runtime:42 minutes
Company:Tyler Perry Studios
Network:BET
Related:Ruthless

The Oval is an American political drama and soap opera created, executive produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry, that premiered on October 23, 2019, on BET.[1] [2] The series chronicles the lives of a family placed in the White House by people of power, while also highlighting the personal side and everyday lives of the staff who run its inner workings.

A streaming television spin-off, Ruthless, premiered on BET+ on March 19, 2020.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Ruthless crossover guest appearances

Episodes

Season 5 (2023–24)

Production

On February 23, 2021, BET renewed the series for a third season, which premiered on October 12, 2021.[6]

On March 22, 2022, BET renewed the series for a fourth season, which premiered on October 11, 2022.[7]

On September 15, 2023, BET renewed the series for a fifth season, which premiered on October 17, 2023.[8]

On April 16, 2024, the series was renewed for a sixth season.[9]

Spin-off

See main article: Ruthless (TV series). On November 7, 2019, it was announced that BET+ ordered Ruthless, a spin-off starring Melissa L. Williams as Ruth Truesdale about a religious sex cult.[10] [11] The series premiered on March 19, 2020.

Storylines between The Oval and Ruthless

The pilot episode of Ruthless takes place alongside The Oval (the first two episodes) after Barry's daughter Callie is kidnapped by his ex-girlfriend, Ruth, who is also Callie's mother. Ruth arrives with three other members of a cult called the Rakudushis, who attack the Hallsen residence. Their series storyline begins exactly after they left the house to arrive back at their camp.

In the 8th episode of The Ovals first season ("Eye on the Sparrow"), the cross-over scene goes forward in the proceeding five episodes parallel with the storyline of the 19th episode Ruthlesss season 2 ("The Raku Way") after a central character, who is a member of the Rakudushis, has escaped.

However, parallels with the storyline from episodes 13 & 14 of The Oval the second season of Ruth meeting with Barry have not quite matched with Ruthless, and the timeline of The Oval 17th episode from season 2 could possibly minorly contradict events during Ruthless the third season where a Rakudushi guard Manny appears on The Oval in slight hairstyle and uniform difference (dreadlocks which was cut late season 2 of Ruthless), however was made into a blip running gag about the haircut and uniform eventually in season 4 also mentioning the change from the purple cloth to military uniform. This in turn may have alter the timeline of events leading up to The Oval's storyline such as Richard going to the Rakudushis' camp to try and rescue Barry after his kidnapping from Ruth, in which season 3 of Ruhtless did not addressed how Ruth was able to leave the camp after member Tally escaped, while it can be possible the events could still match within the timeline onwards.

The second half of season 4 and into season 5 of The Oval, begins to formulate crossover segments with the cast of Ruthless making multiple guest appearances, within the Hallsen's residence, Richardson's Pharmacy and the Rakudushis compound. The Ruthless series however have not addressed having Barry and Nancy at the compound as of yet, which may also contradict storylines serving that Ruth may have came in contact with them as well as the White House playing a part in Ruthless as The President/Government's son Jason becomes an alias and incognito within the camp.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lesley. Goldberg. Tyler Perry Sets First of Four BET Series: White House Soap The Oval (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. June 20, 2019. August 1, 2019.
  2. Web site: The Oval – Listings. The Futon Critic. October 28, 2023.
  3. Web site: Petski. Denise. June 20, 2019. Tyler Perry Sets White House Drama Series The Oval At BET. June 20, 2019. Deadline Hollywood.
  4. Web site: The Oval: Tyler Perry's BET White House Drama Sets More Series Regulars. Deadline Hollywood. Petski. Denise. August 5, 2019. August 5, 2019.
  5. Web site: Petski. Denise. July 13, 2021. Tyler Perry's The Oval: Nick Barrotta, Kaye Singleton, Russell Thomas Set As Series Regulars For Season 3. October 6, 2021. Deadline Hollywood. en-US.
  6. Web site: Nellie. Andreeva. Tyler Perry's The Oval Renewed For Season 3 By BET Following Season 2 Debut On New Night. Deadline Hollywood. February 23, 2021. February 23, 2021.
  7. Web site: Denise. Petski. Tyler Perry's The Oval & Sistas Renewed By BET. Deadline Hollywood. March 22, 2022. March 22, 2022.
  8. Web site: Andy. Swift. The Oval Season 5, Sistas 6B Set October Premieres on BET — Exclusive First Look. tvline. September 12, 2023. September 22, 2023.
  9. Web site: Tyler Perry Re-Ups Deal With BET Media, Gets New Seasons For 9 Series, Including 'Sistas' & 'The Oval'. April 16, 2024. April 27, 2024. Deadline. Andreeva. Nellie.
  10. Web site: Tyler Perry Sets Two New Original Series at BET Plus (EXCLUSIVE). BreAnna. Bell. Variety. November 7, 2019.
  11. Web site: Tyler Perry's The Oval Scores Spinoff About Religious Sex Cult on BET+. Andy. Swift. TVLine. November 7, 2019.