Black Monday: Who’s who, where to stream, and why it’s Showtime’s best new show

Black Monday made a splash this year and season 2 is right around the corner. Here’s the scoop on the plot, the cast, and how to watch.

Let’s begin with what Black Monday is even about. The time? 1987. The place? Wall Street. Black Monday oozes 80’s culture and reflects the era brilliantly.

Fast-talking, money-hungry, backstabbing Wall Street traders take center stage. The officemates at the Jammer Group are somewhat of a dysfunctional family. At times they appear to detest one another. But, when the rubber hits the road, loyalty usually prevails.

Black Monday takes place before the age of sensitivity training in the workplace. The sexism, racism, heck – pretty much all the “isms” depicted in the show may be slightly exaggerated at times for comedic effect. But it shows how absurd things were (and in some cases still are) back in the day.

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Fans will do well to remember that it is a comedy. Some viewers may need to check their feelings at the door before watching. But it is well worth the binge. Black Monday is as hilarious as it is appalling.

The show zeroes in on a real-life event in which stock markets crashed worldwide. In reality, experts have pondered possible causes of the crash. In season 1, Black Monday tells a fantastic tale of how the crash could have happened. Season 2 will likely pick up in the aftermath of the crash.

Who’s who on Black Monday?

The cast of Black Monday is made up of comic and dramatic heavyweights. At times, banter between characters becomes an intricate, fast-paced, tongue-twister. It is impressive that the actors can nail their lines so flawlessly. The success of the show is due, in part, to the talent and chemistry between the costars. Here’s a breakdown of who’s who on the show.

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle executive produces and stars as Maurice “Mo” Monroe, the founder of the Wall Street firm, the Jammer Group. His ego is as large as his perfectly styled afro. He leads his team in a long-range plan to cash in big-time.

You may know Cheadle from the MCU films and Showtime’s House of Lies.

Regina Hall

Regina Hall produces and stars as Dawn Towner. Dawn is the smart and ruthless head trader who goes toe-to-toe with Mo in the office. She fights for her piece of the pie in the male-dominated world of Wall Street.

You may recognize Regina Hall from the hit movies Support the Girls and Girls Trip.

Andrew Rannells

Andrew Rannells produces and stars as Blair Pfaff, a naïve and eager new trader who comes to idolize Maurice. His clean-cut persona quickly begins to degrade under the influence of Mo, the other traders, and an insane amount of drugs.

You may have seen the Broadway star, Andrew Rannells, on the HBO series Girls.

Paul Scheer

Paul Scheer stars as Keith Shankar. Keith is a longtime friend of Mo and a trader at the Jammer Group. He lets loose with his coworkers but routinely mocks Blair.

You may remember Scheer from HBO’s Veep or the film The Disaster Artist.

Where can you stream Black Monday?

The irreverent tone, humorous flair, fierce cast, and 80’s flavor help make Black Monday Showtime’s best new show. Now, you can dust off your shoulder pads and shimmy back to 1987. Catch up on season 1 of Black Monday, currently on Showtime’s streaming platforms. Season 2 will premiere on Showtime in 2020. Until then, check out the Black Monday trailer below.

What’s your take on Black Monday? Comment and join the discussion?