Kate Hudson leads a star-packed ensemble in Netflix’s “Running Point” as Isla Gordon, the fiercely determined president of the fictional Los Angeles Waves basketball team. Premiering February 27, 2025, the comedy series brings together actors from comedy, drama, and television to explore the chaos behind professional sports leadership. The show marks Hudson’s first lead television role and pairs her with familiar faces from film and streaming. Created by Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, “Running Point” draws loose inspiration from real NBA team ownership dynamics.
Lead Actress: Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon · Co-Lead: Drew Tarver as Sandy Gordon · Season 2 Premiere: April 23, 2026 · Platform: Netflix · Genre: Comedy
Quick snapshot
- Full Season 2 cast details beyond announced roles
- Macaulay Culkin exact appearance status
- Specific episode count for Season 2
- Feb 27, 2025: Season 1 premiere (Wikipedia)
- March 2025: Season 2 renewal announced (Wikipedia)
- Apr 23, 2026: Season 2 premiere (Wikipedia)
- Returning stars: Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Brenda Song
- New additions: Ray Romano, Octavia Spencer, Chet Hanks
- Expanded ensemble with Uche Agada, Richa Moorjani, Jake Picking
The key facts table below consolidates essential details about the show, its creators, and its cast leadership.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Platform | Netflix |
| Premiere Year | 2025 |
| Lead Cast | Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Season 2 Status | Announced (premiered April 23, 2026) |
| Creators | Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen |
| Inspiration | Jeanie Buss (Los Angeles Lakers owner) |
Who is in the cast of Running Point season 1?
Season 1 assembles a family comedy ensemble centered on the Gordon clan running a fictional NBA team. Kate Hudson anchors the series as Isla Gordon, the newly appointed president of the Los Angeles Waves basketball franchise.
Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon
Isla Gordon is the heart of “Running Point” — a character written for Hudson’s signature blend of charm and drive. As president of the Waves, Isla navigates the pressures of professional basketball leadership while managing family dynamics. Kate Hudson brings two decades of film experience to her first lead television role, having won a Golden Globe for “Almost Famous” in 2001 and earning an Oscar nomination for “Song Sung Blue” in 2025. Isla is loosely modeled on Jeanie Buss, the real-life owner of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kate Hudson’s first lead television role brings A-list film credentials to a streaming comedy — a casting move that helped “Running Point” gain immediate attention at launch.
Drew Tarver as Sandy Gordon
Drew Tarver plays Sandy Gordon, Isla’s younger half-brother who serves as Chief Financial Officer of the Waves. Known for his work on “The Other Two,” Tarver brings comic timing to the financial complexities of running a professional sports franchise.
Scott MacArthur as Ness Gordon
Scott MacArthur portrays Ness Gordon, Isla’s older brother and the team’s General Manager. MacArthur’s deadpan delivery provides counterbalance to Hudson’s energetic lead performance.
Brenda Song as Ali Lee
Brenda Song plays Ali Lee, Isla’s best friend who serves as Chief of Staff. Song, known for her long television career, brings a grounded presence to the chaotic Waves front office.
Fabrizio Guido as Jackie Moreno
Fabrizio Guido rounds out the Gordon family as Jackie Moreno, another younger half-brother in the ensemble. Guido’s casting adds diversity to the core family group.
The Gordon family structure drives the comedy, with four siblings each holding key positions in the Waves organization. This setup allows the show to explore both professional basketball management and sibling rivalry dynamics.
Who joins the cast of Running Point season 2?
Season 2, which premiered April 23, 2026, expands the ensemble with both returning cast members and high-profile new additions. The Toronto Trappers rivalry arc brings fresh faces to the fictional NBA world.
Returning stars
The core Gordon family returns intact. Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, and Brenda Song all reprise their roles for the expanded second season. Ike Barinholtz, a co-creator of the series, also returns as Cousin Benny.
New additions
Ray Romano joins as Norm Stinson, the new head coach of the Waves — a character who brings seasoned veteran energy to the coaching staff. Octavia Spencer appears as Diane Robicheaux, an attorney representing the Waves cheerleading squad. Nicole Richie enters the mix as Nicole Vark, Isla’s former college friend turned investor.
The Season 2 additions bring Oscar and Emmy-caliber talent to the ensemble, signaling Netflix’s commitment to the series after its strong Season 1 debut.
Uche Agada, who played rookie player Dyson Gibbs in Season 1, is promoted to main cast in Season 2. Richa Moorjani joins as Aruna, the team’s accountant. Jake Picking appears as Tommy White, a new point guard who becomes Sandy’s love interest. Season 2 also introduces Tommy Dewey as Magnus, the General Manager of the rival Toronto Trappers.
Is Justin Theroux in Running Point?
Justin Theroux appears in “Running Point” as Cam Gordon, Isla’s brother who faces personal struggles throughout the series. Theroux, known for his work in film and television, plays a central family role in the Gordon dynasty.
Role details
Cam Gordon is Isla’s brother who eventually steps down from a leadership position due to struggles with drug addiction. The storyline adds dramatic weight to the comedy series, exploring themes of personal responsibility and recovery alongside the sports business narrative.
Kate Hudson leads an ensemble that includes Brenda Song, Justin Theroux, Max Greenfield, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, and Season 2 newcomer Ray Romano.
— DIRECTV Insider
Is Chet Hanks in Running Point season 2?
Chet Hanks appears in “Running Point” Season 2 as Travis Bugg, a talented but problematic point guard whose behavior creates challenges for the Waves organization.
Season 2 role
Travis Bugg represents the kind of high-risk, high-reward athlete that professional sports teams must manage. Chet Hanks, son of actor Tom Hanks, leans into the role with the characteristic intensity he brings to his performances. The character arc explores how team leadership handles talented players with disciplinary issues.
Travis Bugg’s storyline creates strategic pressure on the Waves’ coaching staff, forcing difficult roster decisions that ripple through the organization.
Did Macaulay Culkin appear on Running Point?
Macaulay Culkin does not appear in the main cast of “Running Point,” though he has a personal connection to the series through his partner Brenda Song, who plays Ali Lee.
Guest or connection
Brenda Song, who stars as Isla’s Chief of Staff Ali Lee, is in a long-term relationship with Macaulay Culkin in real life. However, Culkin has not appeared in an acting capacity on the show. Any connection between Culkin and “Running Point” stems from his relationship with Song rather than on-screen involvement.
This detail highlights how the show’s ensemble extends beyond the screen — with real-life relationships in the entertainment industry creating natural crossover interest in the cast.
Quotes
The women joke about the ‘pre-teen vibe,’ co-stars Justin Theroux, Scott MacArthur, Fabrizio Guido, Drew Tarver and Ray Romano bring to set.
— Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Brenda Song (Cast and Creators)
Running Point brings together an ensemble that feels like a real front office — with family dynamics, professional pressures, and enough star power to fill an arena.
— Cosmopolitan (Character Analysis)
The cast chemistry between longtime collaborators like Kaling and Hudson adds another dimension to the show’s appeal. Behind-the-scenes dynamics translate on-screen into the natural camaraderie that defines the Gordon family interactions.
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koimoi.com, zoomtventertainment.com, directv.com, rottentomatoes.com, cosmopolitan.com
Kate Hudson stars as Isla Gordon in Running Point, joined by Drew Tarver and Brenda Song, with the full cast and season 2 guide detailing season 2 additions like Ray Romano.
Frequently asked questions
Is Running Point based on a true story?
“Running Point” is loosely inspired by Jeanie Buss, owner of the Los Angeles Lakers. The fictional Los Angeles Waves parallels real NBA team ownership dynamics, though the specific characters and storylines are fictional creations from creators Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen.
Where was Running Point filmed?
Production details for “Running Point” indicate filming in Los Angeles, consistent with the show’s fictional LA Waves setting and the need for basketball court facilities and office sets.
Who plays Jackie Moreno in Running Point?
Fabrizio Guido plays Jackie Moreno, one of Isla Gordon’s younger half-brothers. Jackie appears in the family ensemble alongside Sandy, Ness, and the other Gordon siblings managing the Waves organization.
What is Running Point about?
“Running Point” follows Isla Gordon as she becomes president of the Los Angeles Waves, a fictional NBA team inherited through her family. The comedy explores the intersection of professional sports management and family dynamics, with Isla balancing leadership pressures against sibling relationships and personal growth.
Who is the showrunner for Running Point?
The series was created by Elaine Ko, Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz, and David Stassen, with Kaling and Barinholtz among the most prominent comedy producers in television today.
Is there a trailer for Running Point season 2?
Season 2 premiered April 23, 2026, with Netflix releasing promotional material ahead of the launch date. The trailer showcases the expanded cast including Ray Romano and Octavia Spencer.
What other shows feature Drew Tarver?
Drew Tarver is best known for his role in “The Other Two,” the HBO comedy series. He has also appeared in various television projects and films throughout his career.
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