Tammie Brown (L) and Kelly Mantle in “The Browns.” (Photo courtesy of OUTtv)
Comedic duo Tammie Brown and Kelly Mantle return for the second season of “The Browns,” a show that follows a not-so-average American household living in Los Angeles.
The television series began as two-minute comedy sketches on Instagram — following the improvised work of John Mark, the series creator, and Tammie Brown.
“It was a casual two days of playing around and shooting on a micro-budget,” Mark recalls. “It wasn’t until people started responding to the skits online that we realized there was potential to scale the show into something bigger.”
“The Browns” is a reimagining of the stereotypical family sitcom — adding a more outlandish and vulgar take.
Tammie Brown is the drag persona created by Keith Glen Schubert, best known for her stand-out appearances on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars.”
Kelly Mantle made Oscar history by being the first openly nonbinary person ever to be approved and considered by The Academy for both Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress for their role in the feature film, “Confessions of A Womanizer.” Mantle is a graduate of Second City in Chicago and has appeared on television in “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” “Lucifer,” “Modern Family” and “Mike & Molly,” among others.
“Tammie and I are two comedic corpses living out our Hollywood fantasies,” says Mantle. “I immediately knew this was the kind-of batshit crazy I needed in my life.”
On the growing popularity of Shelia, the eccentric character played by Mantle, they said, “People connect with Sheila because she has no filter, no censor and no shame. She says what we’re all thinking. She’s bold and blunt, but it goes down smooth like Southern Comfort.”
The first season included guest appearances from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alums Kasha Davis, Laganja Estranja, Ongina, Raja, Tynomi Banks and drag icon Coco Peru.
In the newest season — airing Nov. 5 — “The Browns” will include just as many star-studded guest stars. Drag superstars Katya, Honey Davenport, Mariah Balenciaga and Sherry Vine as well as non-drag notables Cazwell and Jen Kober.
The second season of “The Browns” is five 30-minute scripted episodes. Switching to a scripted format allowed the creative team to weave a more complex storyline. Mark assures fans of the Instagram skits and first season that the upcoming second season will stay true to the original idea — just on a larger scale.
“In season two, Tammie returns home after a journey of self-discovery to find her peculiar family in even odder form,” Mark continues. “Amidst the chaos of her son’s viral fame, her best friend Sheila’s drunken hijinks, and her father’s involvement in a pyramid scheme, Tammie decides to take a shot at love! She is challenged to be more vulnerable with everyone around her, including her offbeat family and potential suitors.”
For more information about “The Browns,” visit OUTtv.com.
