The cast of BET’s The Game calls one final play tonight as the Mara Brook Akil series ends.
Nine seasons ago, “Med School” gave up John Hopkins to follow her rookie boyfriend and his career for the San Diego Sabers. Fans of The Game came along for the ride–from every Sunbeam meeting, one night-stand, wedding, breakup, scandal, to Tasha Mack’s sass. Melanie Barnett (Tia Mowry-Hardrict) and Derwin Davis (Pooch Hall) eventually left San Diego for Baltimore and were missing from the last few seasons. But tonight (Aug. 5), they return to home field to join the rest of the characters in saying goodbye.
Akil first introduced the series’ plot during two episodes of Girlfriends starring Tracee Ellis Ross. Mowry-Hardrict played the cousin of Ross’ character and set up a backstory to The Game. The series debuted in 2006 on CW with original cast: Mowry-Hardrict, Hall, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Hosea Chanchez, Coby Bell, Brittany Daniel, and Barry Floyd.
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CW cancelled the show after its third season. Once BET got hold of the series, 7.7 million tuned in. Brandy Norwood, Jay Ellis, and Lauren London joined as main cast members as the series progressed. The Game also racked up a list of professional athletes, actors, and musicians for guest and recurring roles. BET simultaneously announced its eighth and ninth seasons for 2015. June 3 marked the beginning of the ninth and final season of The Game.
BET released in a statement, “We’re excited to end on a high note by giving Sabers fans a chance to bid farewell to their favorite players on and off the field.”
The series finale of The Game premieres tonight at 10 p.m. ET on BET. Watch the characters create moments fans will hold onto like Jason Pitts with a dollar.