The Brink (TV series) explained
The Brink is an American comedy television series created by brothers Roberto Benabib and Kim Benabib.[1] It focuses on a geopolitical crisis in Pakistan. Before cancellation, the show was conceived so that each season would follow a different crisis somewhere in the world involving the same main characters. The pilot episode was written by the Benabib brothers and directed by Jay Roach.
The series premiered on June 21, 2015 on the American cable television network HBO.[2] The Brink was initially renewed for a second season while the first season was still airing.[3] HBO later reversed its order and cancelled the series after just one season.[4]
Cast
Main
Recurring
- Mimi Kennedy as CIA Director Susan Buckley
- Jaimie Alexander as Lieutenant Gail Sweet, a public affairs officer on the Grant whom Zeke has impregnated
- Melanie Chandra as Fareeda Massoud, Rafiq's younger sister
- Mary Faber as Ashley, Zeke's pharmacist ex-wife and drug supplier
- Meera Syal as Naeema, Rafiq's mother
- Joey Martin as Captain Stephens
- Carla Gugino as Joanne Larson, Walter's wife, United States Department of Defense general counsel and aspiring federal judge[8]
- John Larroquette as Robert Kittredge, the evangelical United States Ambassador to Pakistan
- Rex Linn as Rear Admiral (upper half) McBride, commander of the Grant carrier battle group
- Iqbal Theba as General Umair Zaman, a Pakistani general who stages a military coup
- Rob Brydon as Martin[9]
- Michelle Gomez as Vanessa[9]
- Bernard White as General Haroon Raja, Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence and Umair's half brother
- Iris Bahr as Israeli Foreign Minister Talia Levy
Reception
The Brink received mixed reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season a rating of 53%, based on 36 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "The Brink avoids disaster thanks to the game efforts of a talented cast, but they - and viewers - deserve political satire with a sharper bite."[10] Metacritic gives the first season a score of 52 out of 100, based on reviews from 30 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[11]
IGN reviewer Amber Dowling gave the entire first season an 8.0 out of 10 'Great' score, saying that "after a rough first couple of episodes the actors settled into their characters and viewers grew more comfortable with the tone. Quick and surprising plot twists coupled with strong on-screen pairings eventually resulted in a fun summer romp with plenty of potential."[12]
International broadcast
In India, the series aired within 24 hours of the US premiere on June 22, 2015, on HBO Defined HD.[13] In Australia, the series premiered on July 7, 2015, on Showcase.[14] In Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East and North Africa, the series premiered on November 11, 2015, on Orbit Showtime Network (OSN).
Notes and References
- News: Andreeva. Nellie. HBO Gives Series Order To Comedy Pilot 'The Brink' Starring Jack Black & Tim Robbins, From Jay Roach & Jerry Weintraub. February 12, 2014. Deadline Hollywood. February 11, 2014.
- News: Pedersen. Erik. HBO Launching Comedies 'The Brink' & 'Ballers' With 'True Detective' In June. April 9, 2015. Deadline Hollywood. April 9, 2015.
- News: 'The Brink' Renewed for Season 2 by HBO. July 22, 2015. Variety. July 21, 2015.
- Web site: 'The Brink' Not Going Forward With Season 2 At HBO . October 27, 2015. October 27, 2015. Andreeva, Nellie. Deadline Hollywood.
- Web site: Jack Black/Tim Robbins Comedy 'The Brink' Premieres on HBO This Summer. Splitsider.com. Splitsider.com. 1 April 2015.
- ship name revealed in episode "Half-Cocked," class determined by hull number of CVN-82
- Web site: Esai Morales Joins HBO Comedy Pilot 'The Brink' As Regular, Will Play POTUS . Andreeva, Marshall Manesh . Deadline Hollywood. 5 December 2013 .
- Web site: Carla Gugino Joins HBO's 'The Brink'. August 13, 2014. August 13, 2014. The Deadline Team. Deadline Hollywood.
- News: HBO's Jack Black Comedy Series Adds 'Gavin and Stacey,' 'Doctor Who' Actors . The Hollywood Reporter . September 5, 2014.
- Web site: The Brink (2015) . Rotten Tomatoes . June 22, 2015.
- Web site: The Brink: Season 1 reviews . Metacritic . June 24, 2015.
- Web site: The Brink: Season 1 Review. IGN. Amber Dowling. September 1, 2015. October 5, 2015.
- Web site: Indiantelevision.com. HBO Defined brings two new comedy series . 18 June 2015 .
- Web site: The Green Room. Duck Dynasty, The Brink, Finding Carter, A Place To Call Home and live sport. July 3, 2015. July 9, 2015.