Beat up. Thirty years after it premiered, “A League of Their Own” is coming back. This time, on the small screen. The eight-episode show premieres on Amazon Prime Video on August 12. And while there are some hints of the OG movie – like the 1940s setting and those iconic costumes – its plot isn’t exactly the same. Instead, it focuses on a more diverse group of characters with new storylines.
Remind me, what was the original movie about?
The film takes place during World War II – and follows the All American Women’s Professional Baseball League. Created as a solution to help MLB parks continue to be attended as their all-male minor league teams close for the war. Read also : City-funded study examines differences in contracting companies with minorities. The film focuses on one team – the Rockland Peaches – as they fight to keep the league alive and successful.
It featured white, straight characters played by an all-star line-up: Geena Davis, Madonna, Rosie O’Donnell, and Tom Hanks, to name a few. It quickly became a huge hit, grossing over $100 million worldwide.
Flash forward to 2017, when director and executive producer Will Graham approached “Broad City” creator Abbi Jacobson to remake the classic hit. But with a new character. Think: including queer characters and tackling racial segregation in the league. This brings us to…
What’s “A League of Their Own” 2.0 all about?
The play still focuses on the Rockford Peaches. And there’s still no crying in baseball. But the TV show mainly follows two women on their journey to the big leagues. There is Carson (played by Jacobson), who leaves home after her husband is deployed. But she’s still discovering herself – from exploring her queerness to learning how to be a leader for the team.
Then there is Max (played by Chanté Adams), whose character was inspired by three Black women who played alongside men in the Negro Leagues. She’s a pitcher who wants to join the all-girls league. But is rejected because she is Black. On the same subject : Premiere Video Schedule Added: New TV & Movies Arriving August 8-14. She has also been rejected by the integrated league because she is a woman. Despite the adversity, she still tries to do it.
During the eight episodes, Carson and Max’s lives cross paths as they play catch in the night, and connect about their queer identities and how they don’t fit in with society’s norms. In the background, we also meet the other people on the team. Including “Parks and Recreation” alum Nick Offerman – who plays Casey “Dove” Porter and takes over Hanks’ role as coach. Although the two characters have completely different temperaments. Hank’s Dugan was crisp and drunk. While Offerman’s Dove appears to be a class act, according to IndieWire.
And through it all, the show has moments of nostalgia for OG fans. (Hint: Someone from the original film makes an appearance, but we won’t say who.) Check out the trailer for a closer look at what to expect.
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“A League of Their Own” sheds light on moments that history books routinely leave out. And it promises to show authentic experiences of women’s stories from the past. Read also : USA Visit To Wembley Becomes Fastest Selling Women’s Match In History. Now audiences will see if the show delivers on that promise.
PS: Don’t miss Jacobson Skimming the show – and which celebs she’d choose to be in her league – below.
