Erika Alexander and Precious Way on Black women, new love and Season 2 of ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’

The actresses open up about their characters’ unconventional friendship, Boris Kodjoe joining the cast and why their NBC comedy is anything but niche.

There’s no shortage of chaos surrounding Tracy Morgan’s character on NBC’s “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,” but the women in his life aren’t interested in adding to the drama. At least not with each other.

As the comedy prepares to return for its second season on Nov. 2, Erika Alexander and Precious Way are excited to continue exploring the unconventional relationship between Monica, Reggie’s ex-wife and business manager, and Brina, his much younger fiancée.

Rather than competing for Reggie’s affection, the two women have developed a friendship built on mutual admiration, even if there’s plenty of shade to go around.

“I think people want it to be a cat fight, but that would be an old version of what this type of relationship would be like,” Alexander told theGrio.

The actress, who famously played Maxine Shaw on “Living Single,” believes Monica is far too intelligent to waste her energy on rivalry, while Brina brings her own unique strengths to the family dynamic.

Way agrees, explaining that Brina looks up to Monica for everything she’s accomplished, including building the business empire that Brina now benefits from.

“She can’t replace Monica and she doesn’t want to,” Way said. “Brina genuinely wants Monica there because that’s her girl. That’s her friend, her shady friend.”

While Monica and Brina may have found common ground, Reggie still has some growing up to do.

Season Two finds the former football star continuing his quest for redemption with help from his family and documentary filmmaker Arthur Tobin, played by Daniel Radcliffe. But Way says audiences shouldn’t mistake Brina’s youthful energy and bubbly personality for a willingness to tolerate Reggie’s bad behavior.

“What’s so fun about playing Brina is she surprises everybody by being very stern on Reggie,” Way explained. “She doesn’t let him slide and get away with things.”

The actress says Brina’s ability to hold Reggie accountable is part of what makes their relationship special.

Meanwhile, Monica is finally getting an opportunity to focus on her own happiness.

“Monica’s finally got a life outside of Reggie’s mess,” Alexander said.

Enter Boris Kodjoe, who joins the cast as Leslie “LP” Pervis, a former college classmate of Monica and Reggie’s who has transformed from an awkward child prodigy into a handsome, successful entrepreneur.

Alexander, who previously worked with Kodjoe on the television series “Street Time,” says the new romance creates an interesting complication for her character’s ex-husband.

“Let’s just say Reggie notices that,” she teased, explaining that Monica finding someone new threatens the comfortable arrangement Reggie has continued to enjoy despite their divorce.

Beyond the laughs, Alexander appreciates the show’s willingness to explore the complicated process of rebuilding relationships, something she believes also reflects Morgan’s remarkable personal journey.

“We’re actually in the architecture of Tracy Morgan, who’s rebuilt his whole life,” Alexander said, referencing the comedian’s recovery from a devastating 2014 car accident.

The actress credits Morgan’s authenticity as the foundation of the series.

“Tracy is so achingly honest, and you can’t fake that. You can’t teach it,” she said.

She even offered a celestial comparison between Morgan and another comedy legend.

“You’ve got Eddie Murphy, who’s a comet. You know, he’s in the sky for a while, but Tracy’s the sun. He comes up every day, and we depend on that.”

For Alexander, whose television career spans decades, the opportunity to portray a successful Black woman in midlife is equally significant.

“Guess who has the power? Monica. She ain’t the long-suffering wife. She’s the agent, business manager. She holds contracts,” Alexander said. “A Black woman in midlife running a business is still something you don’t see enough of.”

Way is equally appreciative of the opportunity to portray a character who defies expectations.

“She’s very smart, but she’s also beautiful. But she also holds her place in this very different dynamic,” Way said, crediting the show’s writers for creating a character she is proud to play.

Alexander also emphasized the importance of recognizing Black leadership behind the camera, specifically NBCUniversal television executive Pearlena Igbokwe.

“She’s at the top. She shapes what gets made. Who’s at the top matters,” Alexander said.

And while Hollywood continues to grapple with questions about diversity and representation, Alexander wants audiences to recognize the significance of a Black family anchoring a network comedy in primetime.

“This is a Black family at the center of a network comedy in primetime at NBC, built by Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, Sam Means and Tracy Morgan,” she said. “This is not a niche show. That’s mainstream. That’s big time.”

“The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” returns to NBC on Nov. 2. All episodes of season 1 are currently streaming on Peacock.