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Ray Romano joins Running Point: what changed
Emmy winner Ray Romano is the headline addition to Netflix’s Running Point Season 2, stepping into a newly reimagined major recurring role opposite Kate Hudson. Romano will play Norm Stinson, a brilliant but withdrawn basketball coach who teams up with Hudson’s Isla Gordon to rekindle his passion for the game — and for life. The casting represents a late-stage creative shift: Romano replaces Robert Townsend, and reshoots are reportedly underway as the Norm character has been reconceived.
How this reshapes the series
Running Point centers on Isla Gordon, thrust into the presidency of the storied Los Angeles Waves after a scandal forces her brother out. The show blends workplace comedy, family drama and sports culture; Season 2’s decision to lean into a coach-centric arc signals a pivot toward character-driven sports storytelling. Romano’s presence — a performer known for both affable comedy and grounded dramatic turns — suggests the show will balance warmth with emotional stakes, much like Ted Lasso’s optimistic coaching energy but with the sharper, satirical bite that Kaling’s projects often deliver.
Romano joins an expanded main cast that includes Kate Hudson, Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Fabrizio Guido, Chet Hanks, Toby Sandeman, Jay Ellis, Max Greenfield, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Roberto Sanchez and Dane DiLiegro. Uche Agada and Justin Theroux, previously recurring, have been promoted to series regulars — a sign the show is deepening its ensemble arcs going into Season 2.
Creative team and industry context
The show is written and executive produced by Mindy Kaling, Ike Barinholtz and showrunner David Stassen, with Hudson, Howard Klein, Jeanie Buss and Linda Rambis also serving as executive producers. Running Point comes from Kaling’s Kaling International in association with Warner Bros. Television under Kaling’s overall deal — an arrangement that has helped Netflix and other streamers attract distinct, personality-led comedies centered on diverse voices.
This season’s recast also speaks to an industry trend: high-profile changes during production are becoming less taboo as streamers prioritize tonal chemistry and audience expectations. Bringing Romano into the fold is a strategic move to anchor the show with a familiar face who brings both comedic credibility and cross-generational appeal.
Romano’s return to streaming
For Romano, this marks another return to streaming after his dark comedy-mystery series No Good Deed with Lisa Kudrow. Best known for Everybody Loves Raymond — which earned him multiple Emmys — Romano has broadened his palette in recent years with roles in Parenthood, Get Shorty, Made for Love and his indie feature Somewhere in Queens. Casting him as a complex coach plays to his strengths: subtle humor, empathetic depth and an everyman quality that can humanize a larger-than-life sports setting.
"Romano’s casting is a savvy tonal recalibration that should give Season 2 emotional ballast while keeping the show funny," says film critic Anna Kovacs. "He can make a scene both tender and funny without tipping into sentimentality, which Running Point needs as it grows more ambitious."
Comparisons, trivia and what to watch for
Fans of sports comedies should watch how Running Point compares to Ted Lasso (for heart) and series like Ballers or Winning Time (for industry satire), though Kaling’s voice keeps the series anchored in quirky family dynamics and sharp workplace humor. Trivia: Romano will reunite with Netflix after No Good Deed, and his casting replaces a previously completed arc — meaning some Season 2 scenes are being re-shot to match the new character direction.
Whether you follow for Kate Hudson’s corporate comeback narrative or Romano’s character work, Season 2 of Running Point looks poised to expand the show’s ambition: more ensemble interplay, deeper coaching mythology and a sharper mix of comedy and pathos.
A short note: this kind of high-profile recast can be disruptive, but it often signals a showrunner’s confidence in steering a series toward bigger, clearer storytelling — something to keep an eye on when the show returns.
Source: deadline
Comments
Marius
Is this for real? replacing Townsend late seems messy. but Romano could save it, or make it weird. hope they dont lose the original vibe
atomwave
Wow Ray Romano as a brooding coach? didnt see that coming. Could be gold if they keep the humor AND the bite. curious how reshoots feel tho
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