Long Slow Exhale

American television drama series

Pam Veasey
Bruna Papandrea
Casey Haver
Anton Cropper
John Dove

Production companies

Made Up Stories
Green Eggs & Pam Productions
Paramount Television Studios

Original releaseNetwork

Spectrum Originals
BET

ReleaseApril 4 (2022-04-04) –
April 25, 2022 (2022-04-25)

Long Slow Exhale is an American women's basketball drama television series created by Pam Veasey for Spectrum Originals and BET. From Paramount Television Studios, Veasey executive produced alongside her former L.A.'s Finest collaborators Anton Cropper and Jon Dove, bringing the trio back to Spectrum after the Bad Boys spinoff served as their first scripted originals foray. Cropper also directed the series. Also executive producing were Bruna Papandrea and Casey Haver for Made Up Stories.^[1] The series premiered April 4, 2022^[2] and was canceled after one season in June 2022.^[3]

Premise

A competitive women's college basketball team head coach, J.C. Abernathy, finds herself in a potentially career-ending sexual abuse scandal. As she tries to find the truth among the many secrets she uncovers, she has to make hard decisions that will affect her, her family and the team of female athletes who all rely on her.^[1]

Cast and characters

Main

Rose Rollins as J.C. Abernathy, Head Coach
Josh Lucas as Hillman Ford, Athletic Director of the university
Ian Harding as Eddie Hagan, Assistant Coach
Lyriq Bent as Garrett Carter, J.C.'s husband
Shalini Bathina as Emily Fisk, Associate Head Coach
Enajite Esegine as Jordan Malone
Brittney Elena as Corrine Porter
Jazmine Stewart as Verdell
Isabella Star LaBlanc as Elfrina
Carmen Flood as Nikki Dessandro
Erin Croom as Lorna Avery

Recurring

Famke Janssen as Dr. Melinda Barrington, Chancellor of the university
Samantha Bartow as Shannon Crawford, the star three-pointer on the Clayton Hall Cougars
Brent Sexton as Arlin Swayne, a former Atlanta police officer
Tony Gonzalez as Desmond, Corrine's father, a former professional football player and Clayton Hall superstar
Jaiden Kaine as Deputy Belmont
Gabrielle Byndloss as Vivian, J.C.'s assistant
Enya Flack as Jillian Porter, Corrine's step-mother
Melissa Saint-Amand as Claire Brockman
Britt Rentschler are Rachel Fleming
Betsy Borrego as Jessica Owens
Anabella Raye as Kate Ford

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date ^[4]
1	"Traveling Violations"	Anton Cropper^[4]	Pam Veasey	April 4, 2022 (2022-04-04)
After winning the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, Head Coach J.C. Abernathy’s path to a repeat victory is threatened when a team scandal begins to surface, and a dead body appears without warning.
2	"Full Court Press"	Anton Cropper	Pam Veasey & Brook Sitgraves Turner	April 4, 2022 (2022-04-04)
As the university tries to keep a scandalous story contained, J.C. gets an ominous warning.
3	"Power Forward"	Michael Smith	John Dove & Molly Miller	April 4, 2022 (2022-04-04)
As more women find the courage to come forward, J.C. struggles with having missed what was happening right under her nose.
4	"Away Game"	Michael Smith	Michael J. Ballin & Thomas Aguilar	April 11, 2022 (2022-04-11)
A bold choice from J.C. puts her in some dangerous crosshairs, and late-night drills on the road force the team to a breaking point.
5	"Setting the Screen"	Emma Westenberg	Molly Miller	April 11, 2022 (2022-04-11)
Following her injury, Shannon begins to reconsider her position on keeping coach’s misconduct a secret.
6	"Pressure Defense"	Emma Westenberg	Brook Sitgraves Turner	April 11, 2022 (2022-04-11)
Shannon agrees to an on-camera interview, and Jordan’s impromptu post on social media comes with consequences.
7	"Technical Foul"	Crystle Roberson	Michael J. Ballin & Thomas Aguilar	April 18, 2022 (2022-04-18)
As J.C. tries to figure out who she can still trust, some damning personal drama catches up to one of the team members right before a big game.
8	"Out of Bounds"	Crystle Roberson	Jonathan Curtiss	April 18, 2022 (2022-04-18)
Increasingly suspicious of the university administration, J.C. works to piece together the mystery of Hillman’s sordid past.
9	"High Post"	Pete Chatmon	Pam Veasey & Estevan	April 18, 2022 (2022-04-18)
As J.C. continues to dig into the university’s cover ups, she must decide whether or not she’ll ever come forward with the truth.
10	"Dead Ball Foul"	Pete Chatmon	John Dove	April 25, 2022 (2022-04-25)
As J.C. reflects on quieter moments of her past, a pivotal figure finally comes forward with the truth as Hillman spirals towards his demise.
11	"Fast Break"	Anton Cropper	Pam Veasey	April 25, 2022 (2022-04-25)
Following the shocking death, J.C. turns to a trusted ally for help; meanwhile, the team must put aside their differences to save one of their own.
12	"Madness"	Anton Cropper	Pam Veasey & John Dove	April 25, 2022 (2022-04-25)
With the playoff tournament underway, evidence mounts around Hillman’s accident; meanwhile, J.C. is running out of places to hide as the walls close in around her.

Production

The show was announced on February 9, 2021, with the cast announcement of Rose Rollins. There would be twelve episodes in the series.^[5] The series, from Paramount Television Studios, would launch first on Spectrum and then on BET after nine months. It was noted that this windowing strategy "is a way to split the costs of producing high-end scripted fare during a time in which many media companies are focusing less on linear networks."^[6]

The show was in development/pre-production in Atlanta, GA.^[7] It was reported that filming would begin in Atlanta in March.^[8]

Josh Lucas was announced on February 19, 2021.^[9] Jeff Schine was announced on March 4, 2021^[10] but due to scheduling conflicts, he was replaced by Ian Harding as announced on March 24, 2021.^[11] Famke Janssen was announced on March 9, 2021.^[12] Lyriq Bent, Shalini Bathina, and the series regulars and recurring cast were also all announced on March 24, 2021.^[11] Melissa Saint-Amand was announced on August 4, 2021.^[13]

References

^ ^a ^b White, Peter (2021-02-09). "Rose Rollins To Star In 'Long Slow Exhale', Women's Basketball Drama Series For Spectrum Originals & BET From Pam Veasey, Paramount TV Studios & Made Up Stories". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
^ Alexander, Brenda (March 5, 2022). "'Long Slow Exhale': Women's Basketball Drama Series Set For Spectrum Originals And BET Drops Teaser". Shadow and Act. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 7, 2022). "'Long Show Exhale' Canceled By Spectrum Originals After One Season". Deadline. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
^ ^a ^b "Shows A-Z – Long Slow Exhale on Spectrum". The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
^ "Spectrum Originals Picks Up LONG SLOW EXHALE". Broadway World. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
^ "Rose Rollins to Star in Basketball Drama for Spectrum, BET". The Hollywood Reporter. 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-02-17.
^ "Long Slow Exhale". Production List | Film & Television Industry Alliance. 2020-12-21. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
^ "LONG SLOW EXHALE". Twitter. December 16, 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2021.
^ Andreeva, Nellie (2021-02-19). "Josh Lucas To Star In 'Long Slow Exhale' Basketball Drama Series For Spectrum Originals". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
^ Petski, Denise (2021-03-04). "Jeff Schine Joins 'Long Slow Exhale' Basketball Drama Series At Spectrum Originals". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
^ ^a ^b Petski, Denise (2021-03-24). "'Long Slow Exhale': Lyriq Bent, Shalini Bathina, Ian Harding Among 13 Cast In Basketball Drama Series At Spectrum Originals". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
^ Petski, Denise (2021-03-09). "Famke Janssen Joins 'Long Slow Exhale' Basketball Drama Series At Spectrum Originals". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-03-10.
^ Petski, Denise (2021-08-04). "Melissa Saint-Amand Joins 'Long Slow Exhale'; 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Adds Alfie Fuller". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-08-05.