"Swagger" - 2 seasons of riveting drama on Apple TV+

June 19, 2024

Courtesy Apple TV+, Season 1 trailer

"Swagger" is a critically acclaimed drama on Apple TV+ about a young athlete's journey to navigate the challenges on and off the court, learning the true meaning of swagger. The show focuses on the ensemble cast of players, coaches, and families.

The series debuted on October 29, 2021, on Apple TV+. It was renewed for a second season in June 2022. Unfortunately, it was canceled in November 2023 after just two seasons. The cancellation was reportedly due to creative differences over the content of the third season, which ultimately led to the show's premature end. The first season consisted of 10 episodes, while the second season had 8 episodes.

"Swagger," directed by Reggie Rock Blythewood, is loosely inspired by NBA's Kevin Durant's life experiences. According to Apple's official synopsis, the series explores the world of youth basketball, the players, their families, and coaches who walk the fine line between dreams and ambition and opportunism and corruption. Beyond the basketball court, the show also sheds light on the challenges of growing up in America, including peer pressure, social pressures, and racism.

"Swagger" is reminiscent of another highly acclaimed basketball film, "Love and Basketball," starring Omar Epps and Sanaa Lathan. Both films revolve around pursuing a professional basketball career while balancing personal lives, heartfelt emotions, and sincerity. While the two films are distinct, "Swagger" remains true to its form, delivering socially conscious themes and outstanding performances by the ensemble cast.

"Swagger" is also executive produced by Bythewood, Kevin Durant, Brian Grazer, and Rich Kleiman. The series was created for Apple TV+ by Imagine Television Studios, Boardroom, CBS Studios, and Undisputed Cinema. Francie Calfo and Joy Kecken also served as executive producers, with James Seidman as the co-executive producer.

The series starred O'Shea Jackson Jr., Isaiah Hill, Shinelle Azoroh, Academy Award nominee Quvenzhané Wallis, Tristan Mack Wilds, Caleel Harris, Tessa Ferrer, James Bingham, Solomon Irama, Ozie Nzeribe, Jason Rivera, Christina Jackson, and Sean Baker. They will reprise their roles for season two alongside new additions Orlando Jones and Shannon Brown.

Courtesy Apple TV+, (Kevin Durant with cast ahead of s1 premiere)

When discussing the show's heart, Blythwood told The Hollywood Reporter "Community is such a huge part of our narrative. None of us really get to where we need to get alone. I talk a lot about Swagger being about a cause bigger than yourself, but also, to be able to execute that cause, particularly as a young person coming up, it really helps to have some level of community —mom, dad, coach, neighbor, somebody there helping you, guiding you. I'm really big on that. Growing up, at times I felt it was lacking, other times it was like, oh wait, I've got these people here."

Blythwood took to Instagram to speak of the show's cancellation, sharing, "What an amazing adventure. In our two seasons, we have launched careers, disrupted genre, brought forth humanity through our characters, told stories we care deeply about, revolutionized the way to shoot basketball and had fun" Also adding, "while you are not ordering a season three, I made the show I wanted to make. Thank you for that. Cast, writers, and crew, you have my gratitude. Walk off the set with Swagger. For our FAMbase, you lifted us in ways we could have never imagined. To the industry, don't take your foot off the gas. Keep telling our stories."

Oshea Jackson expressed his disappointment on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, "Almost no promotion. Couldn't even talk about it when it aired because of the strike. And it still got up to Apple's Top 4. But "the numbers weren't there." Right. Ima miss my boys."

The first two seasons of "Swagger" are still available to stream on Apple TV+.

If you haven't watched the series, we highly recommend it. It's a compelling drama that offers a concise perspective on the world of youth basketball and the challenges of growing up in America.

Watch the second season trailer below: