''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. 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 (TV series), Ruthless'', premiered on BET+ on March 19, 2020.

Cast and characters

Main

*Ed Quinn as Hunter Franklin, the President of the United States *Kron Moore as Victoria Franklin, the First Lady of the United States *Paige Hurd as Gayle Franklin, Hunter and Victoria's daughter (main season 1; guest season 2) *Daniel Croix Henderson as Jason Franklin, Hunter and Victoria's son *Javon Johnson as Richard Hallsen, the White House Butler *Ptosha Storey as Nancy Hallsen, the Butler's wife *Vaughn W. Hebron as Bartholomew "Barry" Hallsen, Richard and Nancy's son *Teesha Renee as Sharon Barry's former girlfriend and Kareem's current girlfriend *Lodric Collins as Donald Winthrop, White House Chief of Staff *Ciera Payton as Lilly Winthrop, wife of Donald *Taja V. Simpson as Priscilla Owens, White House residence staff supervisor *Walter Fauntleroy as Sam Owen, Secret Service Agent *Brad Benedict as Kyle Flint, Secret Service Agent *Travis Cure as Bobby, Lilly's friend *Matthew Law as Kareem Richardson, local pharmacy owner *Bill Barrett as Max Carter (main season 2–present; recurring season 1), Secret Service Agent *Derek A. Dixon as Dale (season 2–present) *Nick Barrotta as Allan (main season 3–present; recurring season 1–2), Donald's assistant and Ellie's ex-boyfriend *Kaye Singleton as Simone (season 3–present), the Second lady *Russell Thomas as Eli (season 3–present), the Vice President of the United States

Recurring

*Melissa L. Williams as Ruth Truesdale/Denise Truesdale *Russell Charles Pitts as Picky/Leon (season 1) *Maurii Davenport as Lindsay Yuma (season 1) *Ashley Monique Harper as Jean Peterson (season 1) *Yvonne Senat Jones as Tally (season 1) *Natasha Ward as Ellie Lyles (season 1–3) *Gillian White as Diane Wilmont (season 1–2) *Janee Michelle as Maude, Victoria's mother (season 1–2) *Donna Feldman as Dr. Meadows

Episodes

Series overview

Season 1 (2019–20)

Season 2 (2021)

Season 3 (2021–22)

Season 4 (2022–23)

Production

On February 23, 2021, BET renewed the series for a third season, which premiered on October 12, 2021. On March 22, 2022, BET renewed the series for a fourth season, which premiered on October 11, 2022.

Spin-off

On November 7, 2019, it was announced that BET+ ordered ''Ruthless (TV series), Ruthless'', a spin-off starring Melissa L. Williams as Ruth Truesdale about a religious sex cult. 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 the mother of Callie. Ruth arrives with three other members of a cult called the Rakudushis, who attacked 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 Oval''s 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 ''Ruthless''s 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 yet matched with ''Ruthless''. The storyline could most likely pair in the forthcoming second-half conclusion of the third season or the fourth season, and the timeline of The Oval 17th episode from season 2 could possibly minorly contradict events during ''Ruthless'' the third season where a Rakudushi member named Manny appears on ''The Oval'' in slight hairstyle difference (dreadlocks up-do, which was cut late season 2-''Ruthless'') and clothing appears in his first form of the purple cloth. Later, his clothing was changed to a military uniform, which would alter the timeline of events leading up to ''The Oval's'' such as Richard going to the Rakudushis' camp to try and rescue Barry after his kidnapping from Ruth, in which season 3 haven't addressed how Ruth was able to leave the camp after member Tally escaped, while it's possible the events could still match within the timeline onwards.

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Oval (TV series), The English-language television shows 2010s American drama television series 2010s American political television series 2010s American black television series 2019 American television series debuts 2020s American drama television series 2020s American political television series 2020s American black television series American television soap operas American primetime television soap operas American political drama television series BET original programming Television series about families Television series created by Tyler Perry White House in fiction Television series by Tyler Perry Studios Television shows set in Washington, D.C.