Posted by | Ray Cornelius
If you were watching the SAG Awards tonight you may have noticed a very short but vibrant preview for an upcoming TNT’s series titled “CLAWS.” It stars Niecy Nash (my distant cousin on my mama side…in my head) and model Karrueche Tran and debuts this summer.
According to S&A, “CLAWS” follows the rise of five diverse and treacherous manicurists working at the Nail Artisan of Manatee County salon, where there is a lot more going on than silk wraps and pedicures. At the center is salon owner Desna (played by Nash), who lives with and cares for her mentally ill twin brother, Dean (played by Harold Perrineau). Desna’s staff includes best friend Jennifer (Jenn Lyon), a tenuously sober ex-party girl raising two children from previous relationships; Quiet Ann (Judy Reyes), Desna’s enigmatic driver who also provides security for the salon; Polly (Carrie Preston), a mild-mannered preppy who recently served time in prison for identity theft; and Virginia (Tran), who makes no effort to hide her boredom and impatience with her job. Adding chaos to the Nail Artisan mix is Roller (Jack Kesy), a gangstered-out redneck who runs a barely legal pain clinic and uses Desna’s nail salon to launder their obscene profits; Bryce (Kevin Rankin), Jennifer’s husband who is also newly sober and trying to stay legit by working as an abundance coach; and Dr. Ken Brickman (Jason Antoon), a bona fide doctor at a decidedly un-bona fide and illegal drug clinic.
I am already intrigued by the show for starters because I love me some Niecy Nash. Two, I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida and spent a lot of time in and around my brother’s hair salon during my middle school and high school years. So, I’d be curious to see their spin on salon life and nail techs. RC will keep you posted as we get closer to the premiere date.
“CLAWS” is executive produced by Rashida Jones.
Stay tuned…