The Unforeseen Twists in The Other Black Girl Season 1 Finale and What's in Store for Season 2!

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Hulu's The Other Black Girl and the novel it's based on!

Summary

In The Other Black Girl, season 1 concludes with a departure from the book, paving the way for a potential season 2 featuring a unique storyline. Nella's character, in the series, strategically pretends to use the hair grease, implying her potential role as a double agent in the upcoming season 2.

Season 2 of the show deviates from the source material, presenting a more empowering and uplifting narrative that highlights one woman's defiance against conformity. The co-showrunner of The Other Black Girl, Jordan Reddout, discusses the divergence of the season 1 ending from the book's, while also hinting at the potential for a season 2. Hulu premiered The Other Black Girl, based on Zakiya Dalila Harris's novel of the same name, on September 13. The story revolves around Nella Rogers (played by Sinclair Daniel), an editorial assistant at Wagner Books who initially welcomes the arrival of another Black woman, Hazel-May McCall (played by Ashleigh Murray), to the company. However, Hazel's hiring coincides with troubling incidents such as threats, favoritism, and peculiar happenings, prompting Nella to delve into Wagner's murky past.

During an interview with The Wrap, Reddout discusses the departure from the book's storyline in The Other Black Girl's season 1 ending. Both the book and the series revealed a scheme where Black female employees were manipulated through the use of hair grease to suppress their questioning and dissent, compromising their identities in exchange for advancements in oppressive workplaces that aimed to silence them. While Nella utilizes the hair grease in the book, the series diverges as she only pretends to use it, setting the stage for a potential storyline in Season 2. Reddout explains that ample thought was given to the ending, Nella's character development, and the desire to see her reclaim the power that was initially denied to her. From a storytelling perspective, the journey is far from finished. The team intends to explore Nella's role as a double agent in Season 2, as she navigates the delicate balance of her newfound and precarious position. Thus, the season finale not only served as a natural culmination of Nella's character arc but also provided an exciting framework for Season 2.

What The Other Black Girl's Ending Means For Season 2

The ending of The Other Black Girl diverges significantly from the book, which can sometimes be met with disapproval. However, this change was deemed necessary to allow for the potential continuation of the show beyond its first season. This decision was influenced by the fact that the initial ten episodes encompass the entire content of Harris' book, without any sequel material. Interestingly, the series has not been promoted as a limited series, suggesting the possibility of a second season for The Other Black Girl.

Given that the events of the first book have already been depicted, The Other Black Girl season 2 will require some creative improvisation. Thankfully, the conclusion of the season allows for further development. As previously mentioned, Harris' book concludes with a sense of finality. While Nella uncovers the sinister scheme, she has also experienced a lifetime of oppression and racism. Therefore, when Hazel implies that using the hair grease could deliver her liberation, Nella decides to give it a try. By the time the epilogue arrives, she has been consumed by the brainwashing effects of the hair grease, leaving no room for further storytelling but leaving thought-provoking themes to ponder.

The twist in The Other Black Girl season 1, where Nella only pretends to use the hair grease, opens up the possibility of a more positive ending. In season 2, she could take on the role of a double agent to dismantle the scheme from within. While it is a dangerous position for Nella, the story could still hold significance, albeit with a different ending than the book. Season 2 could become an inspiring narrative about the power of one woman's resistance against conformity. Ultimately, The Other Black Girl's departure from the original material sets the stage for an intriguing continuation of the story.