Mindy Kaling executive producer of Running Point Netflix series, joined cast and crew to mark the show’s rapid rise at the Lakers’ famed training facility, just months after the series premiered in February. Running Point, featuring Kate Hudson in her first television lead, has resonated with fans and earned a confirmed second season, signaling its ascent among comedy’s top new contenders.
Beneath the glossy surface of showbiz events, the creative power behind Running Point is indisputable. As co-creator and executive producer, Mindy Kaling brought together a powerhouse team including her former The Mindy Project partners Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen. This trio’s longstanding working relationship is evident, lending a unique chemistry that has powered the series’ playful spirit and sharp storytelling. Kaling, never one to shy away from humor even at her own expense, provided comic relief during the celebration:
“When you’re on [set] and you’re there since 6 a.m. in hair and makeup, and you’re like, ‘I’m not sure about this material,’ just to know that they are really funny, feminists, and want you to shine, look beautiful, and kill, that’s exactly who you want for a show like this,”
—Mindy Kaling, Executive Producer.
“That was like a no-brainer. Also the three of us, while we’re very different from each other, we love extremely heavy meals. We like going out to dinner and they’re two of my closest friends.”
—Mindy Kaling, Executive Producer.
Kate Hudson Brings Star Power and Heart to Running Point
The decision to cast Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson as Isla Gordon, a character inspired by Lakers president Jeanie Buss, was met with instant enthusiasm by both creators and network executives. Ike Barinholtz explained that Hudson was a natural fit for the sun-drenched, Southern California-inspired world of Running Point.
“Her and Jeanie Buss share this quality where they just look like they emerge from the water in Santa Monica, and she’s incredibly funny but also has a ton of heart and is an amazing actress. At the end of the day, people just like her. People like me, but they love her.”
—Ike Barinholtz, Co-Creator.
Drew Tarver, who plays Isla’s half-brother Sandy, echoed Hudson’s easy fit into the ensemble and praised her comedic instincts:
“I’ve been a fan of hers for so long. It was a real pleasure getting to watch her do TV. I was so excited in every scene I did with her. She’s so funny and she’s so right there with us at all times. … When she burps on FaceTime [in the series] and is like, ‘Excuse me,’ it’s one of my favorite moments of the show. She’s the best.”
—Drew Tarver, Actor.
Max Greenfield, known for his beloved role as Schmitt in New Girl, admitted to feeling the pressure when playing Hudson’s on-screen fiancé Lev.
“I think I was really excited, and then I got to set the first day and she brings so much, and we were trying to make this relationship seem [real] and I was just like, ‘Oh man. I am hanging on for dear life.’”
—Max Greenfield, Actor.
Kaling’s Vision and Dedication Spark Creativity
Kate Hudson was immediately drawn to the project after reading the premise and discovering Kaling’s involvement. Reflecting on the process, Hudson shared her connection to both the show’s concept and its creative leader.
“I was looking for something to do on television,”
—Kate Hudson, Actress.
Discussing her decision, Hudson admired the collaborative spirit and the caliber of writing she encountered:
“Honestly, I got sent this traditional offer, and I remember reading the email and it was like ‘offer’ and then it said in big caps ‘Mindy Kaling,’ and immediately I was like, ‘Ooh, yes.’ Then when I read the synopsis I knew immediately. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m going to do this show and I hope the script is good.’ All the energy immediately, the log line itself, I felt like I could do it. I’ve had history with Jeanie and felt honored they even wanted me to do it, and then I read the script and it was so funny, and so good, and so smart. I remember sitting with Mindy and I said to her, ‘Is this what we’re making or is this going to change?’ A lot of times in comedy I find that you read something and it’s so good, and then people get scared and they kind of water it down. Mindy was like, ‘This is what we’re making.’ And, you know, this is what we made, and it got better and better as the season went on. … I felt so safe and secure, and I know that sounds very female, but I did. I felt like I had so much support and the cast was so incredible. We had a ton of great actors who also write and so it was just constant ideas happening all the time.”
—Kate Hudson, Actress.
Hudson went on to commend Kaling’s high standards and supportive leadership, recounting moments that highlighted the executive producer’s commitment—even under extraordinary circumstances:
“I have to say, I’ve fallen in love with this woman,”
—Kate Hudson, Actress.
“She’s not only so brilliant but is so trusting, puts the best team together, and let me tell you something. She was pregnant. We had our first table read, she’s on Zoom, she then has the baby and is sending notes like an hour after she has the baby. We were like, ‘Isn’t Mindy literally in labor? I’m just curious.’ She is a powerhouse and delivers what she says she’s going to deliver. I’ve learned a lot from that.”
—Kate Hudson, Actress.
Supporting Cast Brings Depth and Enthusiasm
Brenda Song, whose portrayal of Isla’s right-hand woman Ali is inspired by Linda Rambis, found a dream role in Running Point. Song’s devotion to the Lakers and her dynamic with the cast brought an extra layer of authenticity to her character:
“As a lifelong Laker fan, when I sat down and chatted with Mindy, Ike and Dave, within the first five minutes I was like, ‘I will do anything. Do you need a PA? Do you need me to pull a cable? What do you need?’”
—Brenda Song, Actress.
“I feel like I’ve worked my entire life for this moment and this project because I’m living my best life. We’re at the Lakers practice center! C’mon! This is insane. … I truly want to be like Linda when I grow up. We have a lot of things in common. She has two boys, I have two boys. Her son actually has this really funny photo of us from our first cast dinner. We were sitting next to each other, both talking to tall men with our black curls and leather jackets and our hands in the air. Her son literally calls me his TV mom because we are actually quite a lot alike.”
—Brenda Song, Actress.
Another standout is Chet Hanks, taking on the role of Travis Bugg, a character blending basketball ambition with a provocative online persona. Drawing laughs from the audience during a recent panel appearance, Hanks described leaning into the part:
“When I got the audition the character description was that he’s covered in tattoos, he’s a wannabe rapper and he’s just a huge liability because of the controversial things he posts on social media,”
—Chet Hanks, Actor.
“And honestly? I said to myself, ‘Well I don’t know how I’m going to pull this off ‘cause me and this character are nothing alike. I’m really going to have to get my Daniel Day-Lewis on and get really Method with this.’ I’ve been wanting to say this for a long time: my life has just been a series of performance art. All that stuff you guys saw was just me preparing for this role.”
—Chet Hanks, Actor.
Anticipation Builds for the Next Chapter
With the creative team assembling again for Season 2 table reads, excitement is running high about the future direction of Running Point. Cast and crew have indicated that the show is not shying away from mature themes and intends to keep pushing the boundaries of comedy—something Ike Barinholtz noted with signature wit:
“I’m trying to get in more adult scenes on the show of a sexual nature,”
—Ike Barinholtz, Co-Creator.
“All of them do it, family be damned.”
—Ike Barinholtz, Co-Creator.
For Netflix, Mindy Kaling, and the entire ensemble that includes David Stassen, Jeanie Buss, Kate Hudson, Brenda Song, Max Greenfield, Chet Hanks, Drew Tarver, and others, Running Point represents not just a professional triumph but a collaborative triumph full of ambition, laughter, and deep camaraderie. As the next season approaches, the energy around this Mindy Kaling executive producer of Running Point Netflix series only continues to grow, suggesting Emmy buzz may be just the beginning for this inventive comedy.
