Step Up (TV series) explained

Alt Name:Step Up: High Water
Creator:Holly Sorensen
Based On:Step Up franchise
Theme Music Composer:Kutt the Check
Country:United States
Language:English
Num Seasons:3
Num Episodes:30
Cinematography:Joaquin Sedillo
Camera:Single-camera
Runtime:41–57 minutes
Network:YouTube Red
Network2:YouTube Premium
Network3:Starz

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, Starz picked up the series for a third season, which premiered on October 16, 2022. In December 2022, the series was canceled after three seasons.

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.[1]

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Season 3 (2022)

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.[3] [4]

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.[5] 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.[6] It was later reported that Debbie Allen had directed the show's second episode.[7]

On May 22, 2018, it was announced that YouTube had renewed the series for a second season.[8] On January 24, 2019, it was reported that the second season would premiere on March 20, 2019.[9] On August 16, 2019, YouTube Premium canceled the series after two seasons.[10] On May 28, 2020, Starz picked up the series for a third season.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13] On September 17, 2022, it was announced that the third season would premiere on October 16, 2022.[14] Days before the season finale, it was announced that Starz had canceled the series.[15]

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.[6] On January 19, 2018, it was reported that Savion Glover would make a guest appearance in the series as a teacher at High Water.[16] 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.[17] 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.[18]

Release

Marketing

On July 12, 2017, YouTube released a video introducing the show's main cast.[19] 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.[20]

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.[21] On January 24, 2019, the official trailer for season two was released.[9]

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.[22] [23]

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."[24] In another favorable critique, Deciders 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."[25]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cranswick. Amie. Step Up: High Water TV series gets a first trailer. Flickering Myth. December 22, 2017. December 20, 2017.
  2. Web site: Breaking News - Starz Announces Pick Up of Re-Imagined "Step Up" Series from Lionsgate Television. 2020-10-15. Futon Critic. Starz.
  3. Web site: Wallenstein. Andrew. 'Step Up' Movie Franchise to Become TV Series on YouTube Streaming Service. Variety. December 22, 2017. June 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20171220042638/http://variety.com/2016/digital/news/step-up-movie-franchise-to-become-tv-series-on-youtube-streaming-service-1201802740/. December 20, 2017. live.
  4. Web site: Andreeva. Nellie. 'Step Up' TV Series Produced By Channing Tatum, Other Shows Ordered By YouTube. Deadline Hollywood. December 22, 2017. June 24, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20171211052753/http://deadline.com/2016/06/step-up-tv-series-channing-tatum-youtube-1201778617/. December 11, 2017. live.
  5. Web site: Barnes. Brooks. YouTube Red Buys 'Step Up,' Its First Big-Budget TV Drama. The New York Times. December 22, 2017. June 23, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20171027232640/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/24/business/media/youtube-red-buys-step-up-its-first-big-budget-tv-drama.html?_r=0. October 27, 2017. live.
  6. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Step Up: High Water': Ne-Yo, Naya Rivera & Faizon Love To Topline YouTube Red Drama Series. Deadline Hollywood. December 22, 2017. June 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214103541/http://deadline.com/2017/06/step-up-high-water-ne-yo-naya-rivera-faizon-love-youtube-red-drama-series-1202121357/. December 14, 2017. live.
  7. Web site: Kwateng-Clark. Danielle. 'Step Up: High Water' Has Debbie Allen Flexing Her Directing Powers. Essence. December 22, 2017. November 24, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171203062706/https://www.essence.com/entertainment/step-high-water-debbie-allen. December 3, 2017. live.
  8. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Step Up: High Water' Renewed For Season 2 By YouTube. Deadline Hollywood. May 22, 2018. May 22, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180523095335/http://deadline.com/2018/05/step-up-high-water-renewed-season-2-youtube-1202395827/. May 23, 2018. live.
  9. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Step Up: High Water': First Look At Season 2 Of YouTube Series. Deadline Hollywood. January 24, 2019. January 24, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190125103459/https://deadline.com/2019/01/step-up-high-water-first-look-season-2-youtube-series-1202540609/. January 25, 2019. live.
  10. Web site: Series 'Step Up: High Water' & 'Wayne', Pilot 'Dark Cargo' Seek New Homes As YouTube Steps Up Scripted Pullback/. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. August 16, 2019. August 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190817010852/https://deadline.com/2019/08/step-up-wayne-canceled-youtube-pilot-dark-cargo-its-a-mans-wold-dead-seek-new-homes-scripted-programming-pullback-programming-shift-1202669457/. August 17, 2019. live.
  11. Web site: 'Step Up' Series Picked Up By Starz Following YouTube Cancellation. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. May 28, 2020. May 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200607060100/https://deadline.com/2020/05/step-up-series-picked-up-starz-following-youtube-cancellation-1202945578/. June 7, 2020. live.
  12. Web site: Goldsmith. Jill. 2020-07-17. Atlanta Production Ramp-Up Underway Despite Surge In COVID-19 Cases In Region. 2020-10-15. Deadline.
  13. Web site: Topel. Fred. 2020-08-27. Naya Rivera Had a Big Role in 'Step up' Season 3 -- How They're Adapting. 2020-10-15. Showbiz Cheat Sheet.
  14. Web site: Step Up Season 3: Christina Milian Carries the Torch of a Dance Empire in New Trailer – Plus, Get Premiere Date. TVLine. Caruso. Nick. September 17, 2022. September 17, 2022.
  15. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . 'Step Up' Canceled After Its One Season On Starz . Deadline Hollywood . December 13, 2022 . December 13, 2022.
  16. Web site: BWW Exclusively Premieres Clip from STEP UP: HIGH WATER ft. Savion Glover. Broadway World. January 19, 2018. January 19, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180119192439/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Exclusively-Premieres-Clip-from-STEP-UP-HIGH-WATER-ft-Savion-Glover-20180119. January 19, 2018. live.
  17. Web site: Jarvey. Natalie. Ashley Greene Joins Cast of YouTube's 'Step Up: High Water' (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. August 28, 2018. August 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180828180726/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ashley-greene-joins-cast-youtubes-step-up-high-water-1137869. August 28, 2018. live.
  18. Web site: Petski . Denise . 'Step Up': Rebbi Rosie, Keiynan Lonsdale & Enrique Murciano Join Christina Milian & Ne-Yo In Starz Series . Deadline . December 14, 2022 . February 23, 2021.
  19. Kinane. Ruth. 'Step Up: High Water': Meet the Cast in This Exclusive Video. Entertainment Weekly. December 22, 2017. July 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222201910/http://ew.com/tv/2017/07/12/step-up-high-water-meet-cast-video/. December 22, 2017. live.
  20. Web site: Fuhrer. Margaret. Watch the Cast of "Step Up: High Water" Slay at the Teen Choice Awards—Then Learn Their Moves. Dance Spirit. December 22, 2017. August 14, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180206222120/http://www.dancespirit.com/step-up-teen-choice-awards-2472839191.html. February 6, 2018. live.
  21. Web site: Petski. Denise. 'Step Up: High Water': Trailer & Premiere Date For YouTube Red Series Based On Film Franchise. Deadline Hollywood. December 22, 2017. December 19, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171222062508/http://deadline.com/2017/12/step-up-high-water-trailer-premiere-date-youtube-red-series-film-franchise-1202229834/. December 22, 2017. live.
  22. Web site: McNary. Dave. Film News Roundup: Fathom Sets Premiere Showings for 'Step Up: High Water' Series. Variety. January 5, 2018. January 4, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180104022634/http://variety.com/2018/film/news/fathom-step-up-high-water-showings-1202652048/. January 4, 2018. live.
  23. Web site: Step Up: High Water Season Premiere Event In Movie Theaters - Fathom Events. Fathom Events. January 5, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180104024623/https://www.fathomevents.com/events/step-up. January 4, 2018. live.
  24. Web site: Saraiya. Sonia. TV Review: 'Step Up: High Water' on YouTube Red. Variety. February 1, 2018. January 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180201022520/http://variety.com/2018/tv/reviews/step-up-high-water-review-youtube-red-ne-yo-naya-rivera-1202683069/. February 1, 2018. live.
  25. Web site: Cobb. Kayla. YouTube Red's 'Step Up: High Water' Is Like A More Dramatic 'Glee' But With Dancing. Decider. July 16, 2018. February 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180614155710/https://decider.com/2018/02/02/step-up-high-water-review-youtube-red/. June 14, 2018. live.

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