If Loving You Is Wrong is an American prime time television soap opera created, executive produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. The series premiered on September 9, 2014 and ended on June 16, 2020. It focuses on the lives and relationships of a group of five husbands and wives who live on the same street (Castillo Lane) in the fictional community of Maxine. The show stars Amanda Clayton, Edwina Findley, Heather Hemmens, Zulay Henao, and April Parker Jones as the five female leads Alex, Kelly, Marcie, Esperanza and Natalie on "their quest to find love in the midst of managing very complex lives."
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Overview
If Loving You Is Wrong is loosely based on Perry's 2014 film The Single Moms Club. Actress Zulay Henao reprised her movie role of Esperanza, although her character and storyline was rewritten for the TV series. It was officially ordered straight-to-series on January 9, 2014. It premiered on September 9, 2014, on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), and the first half of the first season finale aired on November 4, 2014.
The series premiere was the highest-rated in OWN history, setting a new record over The Haves and the Have Nots. The second half of the first season aired on March 24, 2015. On February 27, 2015, the series was renewed for a second season with 22 more episodes. The second season premiered on September 22, 2015. The second half premiered on March 15, 2016. OWN renewed the series for a third season. The third season of the series premiered on September 13, 2016.
On January 7, 2020, OWN announced the series' return for the fifth season, stating that it's "coming soon". On February 5, 2020, OWN announced that season five will be the final season, which premiered on March 31, 2020. The series finale aired on June 16, 2020. On June 25, 2020, OWN announced a cast reunion special titled "Oh So Right", which premiered on June 30, 2020.
Cast and characters
Main cast
Amanda Clayton as Alex Montgomery, a housewife who was married to British businessman Brad. She has two children with him, Peter and Paisley, after which he had a vasectomy. Alex was caught having an affair with her next-door neighbor, Randall, which ends her friendship with Randall's wife Marcie and prompts Brad to leave her. She gave birth to a third child, a son. Although she thought initially that her son was Randall's, the DNA test determined that the father may have been one of the lovers she took during the period in which she had a dating profile alias under the name "Jennifer Peppa".
Matt Cook as Joey Blackman (seasons 1–3), Natalie's oldest son, who was released from jail. Somewhat naïve while he gets used to his new freedom, his mother often hovers over him, especially at her Burger Fast restaurant (where they both work). Joey's love interest is Faun, the boss's daughter and his childhood friend. In Season 3, he is stuck in jail again after using a gun as a weapon to shoot Quan, ultimately violating Joey's probation.
Edwina Findley as Kelly Isaacs, a single, working mother to a young son named Justice. She is being pursued by a man named Travis, despite his being engaged to someone he met while in Haiti. Though she developed feelings for a new neighbor next door named Ramsey, he is later found murdered in his home - with Kelly as the main suspect. Later, after Travis stalks Kelly, she shoots and kills him. While in jail, she can't come to terms with what she has done and still sees images of Travis stalking her. Kelly attempts suicide and Lushion finds her hanging in her cell. Kelly survives and is tied to her bed on suicide watch.
Tiffany Haddish as Jackie (season 1), Natalie's loyal assistant at Burger Fast. A very business-savvy woman.
Heather Hemmens as Marcie Holmes, a real estate agent and Randall's unhappy ex-wife, who is angry with Alex for her affair with Randall. Hurt and upset, Marcie gets even with both of them by embarking on a revenge affair with Brad. Throughout the series, she becomes deeply in love with him. She demands that Randall divorce her; he refuses, because he still loves her - but he also loves Alex. In Season 3, it is revealed that Marcie is pregnant, but with Brad's child. However, in the Season 3 finale, it is revealed that Randall may be the father of her baby. At the end of Season 4, Marcie finally gets the divorce from Randall, but suffers a miscarriage.
Recurring cast
Brianne Davis as Yolanda (season 1), Edward's new wife who would, like Esperanza did, leave him. An alcoholic, she absolutely despises Esperanza, and the two women often quarrel. Has two children with Edward, and is Mika's stepmother.
Claudette Ortiz as Claudia (season 2), a new addition to the 911 emergency service who is also the half-sister of Quan.
Jasmine Guy as Mattaline Cain (season 1), Travis' mother who did not approve of Kelly, but later accepts her.
Marie L. Burke (Season 1)/Judi Blair (seasons 2–3) as Faun, daughter of Mr. Kym, owner of Burger Fast. Faun is friendly with Joey, who develops a love interest in him and works at Burger Fast with Natalie and Jackie.
Clayton Landey as Captain Daniel Mackey (seasons 1–2), the immediate superior of Edward and Lushion and the head of the Maxine Police Department.
Sharon Conley as Sally (season 1–2), owner of the 911 operatation station and Esperanza's supervisor.
Ryan Haake as Steven Simmons, Eddie & Lushion's boss and secretly and FBI agent. Steven becomes attracted to Esperanza, hence creating a volatile relationship with her child's father Eddie.
Celine Areu as Mika Willis, the daughter of Eddie and Esperanza.
Chase Wainscott as Peter Montgomery, the son and oldest child of Brad and Alex.
Ashlyn Areu as Paisley Montgomery, the daughter and youngest child of Brad and Alex.
Timmy Richardson as Justice Issacs, the son of Kelly.