Step Up (TV series)

Last updated
Step Up
StepUpHighWater.png
Also known asStep Up: High Water
Genre
Created by Holly Sorensen
Based on Step Up franchise
Starring
Theme music composerKutt the Check
Composers
  • EmmoLei Sankofa
  • Stephanie Economou
  • Jared Gustadt
  • Jeff Peters
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes30
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Joshua Throne
  • Salli Newman
  • Joseph Zolfo
CinematographyJoaquin Sedillo
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time41–57 minutes
Production companies
  • Hollycake (seasons 1–2)
  • Creative Extremists (season 3)
  • Offspring Entertainment
  • Free Association
  • Lionsgate Television
  • Picturestart (seasons 2–3)
  • Everheart Productions (season 3)
Original release
Network
ReleaseJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31) 
December 18, 2022 (2022-12-18)

Step Up (previously titled Step Up: High Water) is an American drama television series, based on the Step Up film series. It premiered on January 31, 2018, on YouTube Red. The series was created by Holly Sorensen, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. After being canceled by YouTube Red after two seasons, [1] Starz picked up the series for a third season, [2] which premiered on October 16, 2022. [3] In December 2022, the series was canceled after three seasons. [4]

Contents

Premise

The series follows the students and faculty of "High Water", Atlanta's most cutthroat performing arts school. When twins Tal and Janelle relocate from Ohio, they find themselves thrust into a world where every move is a test. As they attempt to navigate their new world— on and off the dance floor— they will discover just how deep they are willing to dig to realize their dreams and seize their moment. [5]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
1 10January 31, 2018 (2018-01-31) YouTube Red
2 10March 20, 2019 (2019-03-20) YouTube Premium
3 10October 16, 2022 (2022-10-16)December 18, 2022 (2022-12-18) [7] Starz

Season 1 (2018)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Pilot" Adam Shankman Holly Sorensen January 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
22"Solo" Debbie Allen Thembi L. Banks & Rochée JefferyJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
33"The Running Man" Rob Hardy HadjiiJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
44"Shuffle" Janice Cooke Molly Kate Margraf & Jerica LiebermanJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
55"5.6.7.8"Janice CookeBryan M. Holdman & William H. BrownJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
After a hashtag about Sage Odom being broke and owing people money goes viral, he comebacks with a live performance of his new hit single with the help of the High Water students.
66"Duets" Michael Schultz Thembi L. Banks & Rochée JefferyJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
Davis kidnaps his little brother Justin from a neglectful foster home. Odalie must help her fugitive boyfriend keep Justin safe and Davis out of jail.
77"Dance Craze" Nzingha Stewart William H. BrownJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
Odalie’s two worlds collide exposing her secrets to the other High Water students.
88"Ensemble" Silas Howard Bryan M. HoldmanJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
Odalie is shunned and hated by many of the High Water students. Most refusing to dance until she’s expelled.
99"Choreography" Charles Randolph-Wright Holly Sorensen & Bryan M. HoldmanJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
Odalie helps Davis practice for Sage Odom’s professional dance crew in his world tour.
1010"Two-Step" Norman Buckley Holly Sorensen & William H. BrownJanuary 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)
Davis makes the word tour team but must choose between following his dreams as a dancer and custody of Justin.

Season 2 (2019)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
111"Precision"Lisa Leone Holly Sorensen March 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
Odalie and Poppy compete for the team’s female captain title.
122"Splits" Mary Lambert Kenny NeibartMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
Davis has dinner at Odalie’s parents’ party. Odalie’s parents find out the truth of her life at High Water.
133"Form"Lisa LeoneHadjiiMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
Odalie and Davis must figure what to do after her parents cut her off.
144"Vogue" Charles Randolph-Wright Rochée JefferyMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
The dance crew must find their inner sex appeal for the world tour.
155"Inversion"Damian MarcanoJordan Heimer & Manuel FigueroaMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
Odalie works with Davis on a stunt piece similar to Dirty Dancing to impress Sage. Still drunk from the night before, Tal makes a huge mistake that could cost Odalie her dance career.
166"Isolations"Jessica LoweryDelondra WilliamsMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
The fallout of Odalie’s injury continues to rock the High Water students.
177"Attitude"Dominic LeclercMolly Kate Margraf & Jerica LiebermanMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
With Tal and Davis’s help, Odalie is able to dance with some aquatic therapy. She finally feels like she’s making progress since her injury.
188"Azonto" Janice Cooke Lou-Lou IgbokweMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
The tensions of Odalie and Davis’s relationship continue to run high. She refuses to apologize to her parents. He must do what’s best for Justin.
199"Improvisation" Anne Fletcher William BrownMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
Fully recovered from her injury, Odalie wants a spot back on the world tour. Poppy feels threatened as she and Odalie must compete for her lead spot in the tour. Sage must decide between his vision of the tour and the optics.
2010"Hip-Hopera" Fred Gerber Holly Sorensen & William BrownMarch 20, 2019 (2019-03-20)
Odalie continues to be the most hated person at High Water. Davis gets a chance at joining the world tour.

Season 3 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [7] Directed byWritten byOriginal air date [7] U.S. viewers
(millions)
211"Kryptonite"Damian MarcanoHolly SorensenOctober 16, 2022 (2022-10-16)n/a
222"Ain't Gon' Let Up"Terrence GreenDelondra MesaOctober 23, 2022 (2022-10-23)n/a
233"Player's Ball"Dawn WilkinsonManuel Figueroa & Jordan HeimerOctober 30, 2022 (2022-10-30)n/a
244"Cell Therapy"Dawn WilkinsonHadjii HandNovember 6, 2022 (2022-11-06)n/a
255"Never Scared"Dawn WilkinsonWilliam BrownNovember 13, 2022 (2022-11-13)N/A
266"You Know What It Is"Damian MarcanoJerica Lieberman & Molly Kate MargrafNovember 20, 2022 (2022-11-20)N/A
277"It's Goin' Down"Jamaica CraftRebecca Boss & Chris MasiNovember 27, 2022 (2022-11-27)N/A
288"Who Can I Run To?"Dawn WilkinsonKemiyondo CountinhoDecember 4, 2022 (2022-12-04)N/A
299"Bring 'Em Out?"Holly SorensenJeremy KaufmanDecember 11, 2022 (2022-12-11)N/A
3010"Sleep When U Die"Dawn WilkinsonKenny NeibartDecember 18, 2022 (2022-12-18)N/A

Production

Development

On June 23, 2016, YouTube announced at the annual VidCon conference in Anaheim, California that they were developing a new drama series based on the Step Up film series with Lionsgate Television producing alongside Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan. [8] [9]

On June 23, 2017, YouTube announced that it had officially given Step Up: High Water a first season order consisting of ten episodes, each running about 45 minutes in length. The series was described as YouTube Red's first "big-budget, Hollywood-produced television drama" and that its arrival would end up "moving it into more direct competition with players like Netflix and traditional cable networks." In the announcement, it was revealed that each episode of the series would cost several million dollars to produce. [10] A few days later, members of the series' creative team were announced. Original songs for the series were set to be written by singer/songwriter Jason “PooBear” Boyd and “Jingle” Jared Gutstadt. The films series’ choreographer Jamal Sims was expected to choreograph the first episode after which subsequent episodes would be choreographed by Jamaica Craft. The pilot episode was set to be directed by Adam Shankman. [11] It was later reported that Debbie Allen had directed the show's second episode. [12]

On May 22, 2018, it was announced that YouTube had renewed the series for a second season. [13] On January 24, 2019, it was reported that the second season would premiere on March 20, 2019. [14] On August 16, 2019, YouTube Premium canceled the series after two seasons. [1] On May 28, 2020, Starz picked up the series for a third season. [2] Following filming restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Blackhall Studios reopened for production on several films and the series, which was being written at the time, on July 13, 2020. Production was immediately paused on the same day when lead actress Naya Rivera was found dead following a boating accident several days prior. [15] Rivera's character had been set to appear; in August 2020 it was announced that a re-worked season would begin filming in January 2021. [16] On September 17, 2022, it was announced that the third season would premiere on October 16, 2022. [3] Days before the season finale, it was announced that Starz had canceled the series. [4]

Casting

On June 28, 2017, it was announced that Ne-Yo, Naya Rivera, Faizon Love, Lauryn McClain, Petrice Jones, Marcus Mitchell, Jade Chynoweth, Carlito Olivero, Terrence Green, R. Marcos Taylor, Eric Graise, and Kendra Oyesanya had been cast in the series' main roles. [11] On January 19, 2018, it was reported that Savion Glover would make a guest appearance in the series as a teacher at High Water. [17] On August 28, 2018, it was announced that in season two Ashley Greene and Jeremy Copeland were joining the cast, that Rick Ross and Todrick Hall would appear as themselves, and that JaQuel Knight would make a cameo appearance in addition to choreographing episode three. [18] After YouTube canceled the series, Petrice Jones moved on to other projects, leaving him unavailable by the time Starz picked up the show for Season 3. His role was filled by Keiynan Lonsdale as new character Tal Baker. Because of Naya Rivera's death, Christina Milian was cast as Collette. [19]

Release

Marketing

Promotional poster for Fathom Events' special screening of the premiere episode. HighWaterPremiere.jpg
Promotional poster for Fathom Events' special screening of the premiere episode.

On July 12, 2017, YouTube released a video introducing the show's main cast. [20] On August 13, 2017, the cast of the series, including Jade Chynoweth and Kendra Oyesanya, performed at the 2017 Teen Choice Awards with a highly choreographed dance routine. [21]

On December 19, 2017, YouTube released the first trailer for the series and announced that the show would premiere on January 31, 2018, with all ten episodes released at once. [22] On January 24, 2019, the official trailer for season two was released. [14]

Premiere

On January 30, 2018, YouTube partnered with Fathom Events for special screenings of the first episode of the series at more than 750 movie theaters. The event also included a screening of the original 2006 Step Up film that launched the five-film franchise, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the television series. [23] [24]

Reception

In a positive review, Sonia Saraiya of Variety offered the series praise saying: "This YouTube Red original has found an intriguing way to blend the mediums of dance, film, and soapy teen television, with an energetic, conscious new installment in the series that is a lot of fun to get sucked into." [25] In another favorable critique, Decider's Kayla Cobb described the series as "a genuinely compelling and dramatic story that very well may stand as the best narrative installment of the Step Up universe." [26]

Related Research Articles

<i>Counterpart</i> (TV series) 2017 American science fiction thriller television series

Counterpart is an American science fiction thriller television series starring J. K. Simmons. It was created by Justin Marks and was first broadcast on the premium cable network Starz. The series ran for 20 episodes across two seasons. It premiered on December 10, 2017, and aired its final episode on February 17, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naya Rivera</span> American actress and singer (1987–2020)

Naya Marie Rivera was an American actress, singer, and model who was best known for portraying Santana Lopez on the popular musical comedy-drama series Glee, in which she starred from 2009 to 2015. She received various awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and nominations for two Grammy Awards.

Step Up is an American romantic-dance anthology franchise created by Duane Adler, the franchise includes six films and a television series. The films have received a generally mixed critical reception, while being a box office success with a collective total of $651 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katrina Law</span> American actress

Katrina Law is an American actress. She is known for playing the roles of Mira on the Starz television series Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Spartacus: Vengeance, Nyssa al Ghul on The CW television series Arrow, Karen Beach on the Sony Crackle series The Oath, Quinn Liu on the CBS series Hawaii Five-0 and Jessica Knight on the CBS series NCIS.

<i>American Gods</i> (TV series) American television series

American Gods is an American fantasy drama television series based on Neil Gaiman's 2001 novel of the same name and developed by Bryan Fuller and Michael Green for the premium cable network Starz. Produced by Fremantle North America and distributed by Lionsgate Television, the first season premiered on April 30, 2017. Fuller and Green served as the showrunners for the first season and were replaced by Jesse Alexander for the second season. Charles H. Eglee served as showrunner for the third season. Gaiman served as an executive producer.

<i>The Girlfriend Experience</i> (TV series) American TV drama series (2016–)

The Girlfriend Experience is an American anthology drama television series created, written, and directed by Lodge Kerrigan and Amy Seimetz that is broadcast on the premium cable network Starz. The first season stars Riley Keough as Christine Reade, a law student intern who also works as a high-end escort. Executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, it is based on the 2009 film of the same name. A 13-episode first season premiered on April 10, 2016, and all episodes were made available on Starz On Demand.

<i>Graves</i> (TV series) American comedy television series

Graves is an American comedy television series, created by Joshua Michael Stern, that premiered on October 16, 2016, on Epix. The series stars Nick Nolte as the eponymous Richard Graves, a former President of the United States attempting to make amends for the mistakes he made in office. After two seasons, it was cancelled by Epix in 2017.

<i>Get Shorty</i> (TV series) American comedy-drama television series

Get Shorty is an American comedy-drama television series, based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Elmore Leonard. Created by Davey Holmes, it premiered on August 13, 2017, on Epix. It stars Chris O'Dowd, Ray Romano, Sean Bridgers, Carolyn Dodd, Lidia Porto, Goya Robles, Megan Stevenson, Lucy Walters, and Sarah Stiles. It has aired for three seasons, consisting of twenty-seven episodes. In December 2018, it was renewed for a third season, which began airing on October 6, 2019. Although no further seasons have been commissioned, MGM+ has not officially cancelled the show.

<i>The Oath</i> (American TV series) American TV series or program

The Oath is an American crime drama streaming television series, created by Joe Halpin, that premiered on March 8, 2018, on Crackle. The series stars an ensemble cast, including Ryan Kwanten, Katrina Law and Sean Bean. Its second and final season premiered on February 21, 2019.

Sweetbitter is an American drama television series, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Stephanie Danler and inspired by her time working in New York’s well-known restaurant Union Square Café. The show premiered on May 6, 2018, on Starz. In July 2018, it was announced that Starz had renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on July 14, 2019. In December 2019, the series was canceled after two seasons.

<i>Strange Angel</i> American historical drama streaming television series

Strange Angel is an American historical drama streaming television series that premiered on June 14, 2018, on CBS All Access. The series is based on the biography of Thelemic magician and scientist Jack Parsons. Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons by George Pendle and was created by Mark Heyman, who also executive produces and writes for the show. On October 29, 2018, it was announced that CBS All Access had renewed the series for a second season that premiered on June 13, 2019. In November 2019, the series was canceled after two seasons.

Now Apocalypse is an American comedy television series that aired for one season of ten episodes from March 10 to May 12, 2019, on Starz. The series was written by Gregg Araki and Karley Sciortino. Araki also was director and executive producer alongside Steven Soderbergh and Gregory Jacobs. Starz canceled the series on July 26, 2019.

<i>Locke & Key</i> (TV series) 2020 American supernatural horror drama television series

Locke & Key is an American fantasy horror drama television series developed by Carlton Cuse, Meredith Averill, and Aron Eli Coleite, based on the comic book series of the same name by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez. It premiered on Netflix on February 7, 2020. The series stars Darby Stanchfield, Connor Jessup, Emilia Jones, Jackson Robert Scott, Laysla De Oliveira, Petrice Jones, and Griffin Gluck.

<i>The Twilight Zone</i> (2019 TV series) 2019 American anthology television series

The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series developed by Simon Kinberg, Jordan Peele, and Marco Ramirez, based on the original 1959 television series created by Rod Serling. Peele serves as narrator, in addition to executive producing through Monkeypaw Productions. The weekly series premiered on April 1, 2019, on CBS All Access, and was renewed for a second season halfway through its first set of 10 episodes. The second season was released in its entirety on June 25, 2020. In February 2021, the producers announced the series would not return for additional seasons.

"Offred" is the premiere episode of the American television drama series The Handmaid's Tale. It was directed by Reed Morano, and written by Bruce Miller, adapting material from the 1985 Margaret Atwood novel The Handmaid's Tale. The episode debuted on the streaming service Hulu on April 26, 2017.

<i>Heels</i> (TV series) 2021 American drama television series

Heels is an American drama television series about professional wrestling created by Michael Waldron that premiered on August 15, 2021, on Starz. In November 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on July 28, 2023. In September 2023, the series was canceled after two seasons. However, executive producer Mike O'Malley has expressed interest in finding a new network for the show's eventual third season

Ryan Keith Dorsey is an American actor, known for playing Earl on Justified and Duquesne “Dime Bag” Baker on Ray Donovan. His personal life, particularly his marriage to Naya Rivera, has garnered significant media attention.

References

  1. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (August 16, 2019). "Series 'Step Up: High Water' & 'Wayne', Pilot 'Dark Cargo' Seek New Homes As YouTube Steps Up Scripted Pullback/". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on August 17, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
  2. 1 2 Petski, Denise (May 28, 2020). "'Step Up' Series Picked Up By Starz Following YouTube Cancellation". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Caruso, Nick (September 17, 2022). "Step Up Season 3: Christina Milian Carries the Torch of a Dance Empire in New Trailer – Plus, Get Premiere Date". TVLine . Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (December 13, 2022). "'Step Up' Canceled After Its One Season On Starz". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  5. Cranswick, Amie (December 20, 2017). "Step Up: High Water TV series gets a first trailer". Flickering Myth. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  6. Starz. "Breaking News - Starz Announces Pick Up of Re-Imagined "Step Up" Series from Lionsgate Television". Futon Critic. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  7. 1 2 3 "Shows A-Z – Step Up on Starz". The Futon Critic . Retrieved October 10, 2022.
  8. Wallenstein, Andrew (June 24, 2016). "'Step Up' Movie Franchise to Become TV Series on YouTube Streaming Service". Variety . Archived from the original on December 20, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  9. Andreeva, Nellie (June 24, 2016). "'Step Up' TV Series Produced By Channing Tatum, Other Shows Ordered By YouTube". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on December 11, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  10. Barnes, Brooks (June 23, 2016). "YouTube Red Buys 'Step Up,' Its First Big-Budget TV Drama". The New York Times . Archived from the original on October 27, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  11. 1 2 Petski, Denise (June 28, 2017). "'Step Up: High Water': Ne-Yo, Naya Rivera & Faizon Love To Topline YouTube Red Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  12. Kwateng-Clark, Danielle (November 24, 2017). "'Step Up: High Water' Has Debbie Allen Flexing Her Directing Powers". Essence . Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  13. Petski, Denise (May 22, 2018). "'Step Up: High Water' Renewed For Season 2 By YouTube". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 23, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  14. 1 2 Petski, Denise (January 24, 2019). "'Step Up: High Water': First Look At Season 2 Of YouTube Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 24, 2019.
  15. Goldsmith, Jill (2020-07-17). "Atlanta Production Ramp-Up Underway Despite Surge In COVID-19 Cases In Region". Deadline. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  16. Topel, Fred (2020-08-27). "Naya Rivera Had a Big Role in 'Step up' Season 3 -- How They're Adapting". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  17. "BWW Exclusively Premieres Clip from STEP UP: HIGH WATER ft. Savion Glover". Broadway World. January 19, 2018. Archived from the original on January 19, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
  18. Jarvey, Natalie (August 28, 2018). "Ashley Greene Joins Cast of YouTube's 'Step Up: High Water' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  19. Petski, Denise (February 23, 2021). "'Step Up': Rebbi Rosie, Keiynan Lonsdale & Enrique Murciano Join Christina Milian & Ne-Yo In Starz Series". Deadline. Retrieved December 14, 2022.
  20. Kinane, Ruth (July 12, 2017). "'Step Up: High Water': Meet the Cast in This Exclusive Video". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  21. Fuhrer, Margaret (August 14, 2017). "Watch the Cast of "Step Up: High Water" Slay at the Teen Choice Awards—Then Learn Their Moves". Dance Spirit. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  22. Petski, Denise (December 19, 2017). "'Step Up: High Water': Trailer & Premiere Date For YouTube Red Series Based On Film Franchise". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved December 22, 2017.
  23. McNary, Dave (January 4, 2018). "Film News Roundup: Fathom Sets Premiere Showings for 'Step Up: High Water' Series". Variety. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  24. "Step Up: High Water Season Premiere Event In Movie Theaters - Fathom Events". Fathom Events. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  25. Saraiya, Sonia (January 31, 2018). "TV Review: 'Step Up: High Water' on YouTube Red". Variety. Archived from the original on February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  26. Cobb, Kayla (February 2, 2018). "YouTube Red's 'Step Up: High Water' Is Like A More Dramatic 'Glee' But With Dancing". Decider. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.