About First Wives Club

The First Wives Club is a television series based on the 1996 film of the same name, which was itself an adaptation of the 1992 novel by Olivia Goldsmith. The show first premiered in 2019 on BET+. It follows the lives of three New York women who band together after their marriages fall apart, and they find solidarity in their divorce.

Making / Production

The First Wives Club was developed for television by Tracy Oliver, who also acts as writer and executive producer. The series was produced by Paramount Television, along with BET and Scott Rudin Productions. The filming mainly took place in New York, giving the series an authentic urban vibe.

Actors

• Jill Scott plays Hazel, a successful singer-songwriter who is trying to find her own voice outside of her failing marriage. Scott brings an honesty and vulnerability to the role that captivates audiences.
• Michelle Buteau portrays Bree, a hands-on mother and doctor who has to navigate single life after her husband cheats on her. Buteau's comedic timing is key to keeping the balance between the show's various dramatic storylines.
• Ryan Michelle Bathe plays Ari, a former high-powered attorney who has to reconsider her career after her marriage ends. Bathe's nuanced performance gives depth to Ari's journey as she rediscovers who she is and what she wants.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The series is the second adaptation of the original novel, following the popular 1996 film with Diane Keaton, Goldie Hawn, and Bette Midler.
• Jill Scott, who plays Hazel, is also a Grammy award-winning singer in real life.
• The show was renewed for a second season before the first season had even premiered due to the high expectations and buzz around it.

Music, Soundtrack

• The musical backdrop of The First Wives Club is as eclectic as its characters, spanning multiple genres from soul and R&B to pop and jazz. Notable tracks include Jill Scott's "Golden," Lizzo's "Good as Hell," and "I'll Be There for You/You're All I Need to Get By," by Mary J. Blige and Method Man.

Quotes

• "Sometimes even the strongest women need a little help from their friends." – Bree
• "It's not enough to just survive, Bree. We deserve to thrive." – Hazel
• "I've got one life, Bree. I want to spend it doing things that make me happy." – Ari