Film alum James Ponsoldt ‘05 directed the first two episodes of the eagerly anticipated Netflix series Running Point. The series, created by Mindy Kaling and starring Kate Hudson, centers on Isla Gordon, who gets the shot of a lifetime when she is appointed President of a struggling basketball franchise and aims to prove she was the right choice despite skepticism. The series premiered on Netflix on February 27, 2025 and in March was renewed for a second season.
Ponsoldt has quickly carved out a place for himself in the world of cinema, directing films with star studded casts such as The Spectacular Now (starring Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley), and The Circle (starring Emma Watson and Tom Hanks). His list of credits in TV is similarly long and impressive, including a few episodes of Shrinking (starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford) and Daisy Jones and the Six, an episode of Shameless and two episodes, including the pilot, of the Aziz Ansari starrer Master of None. Running Point marks the latest addition to his growing body of work.
The Pilot of Running Point sets the stage for the series and introduces Gordon, who despite her passion for basketball, is frequently ignored by her father and former owner of the pro basketball team the Los Angeles Waves, leading her to channel her frustrations into a rebellious lifestyle. However, when her brother, recovering from drug abuse, names her as his successor, Isla is forced to navigate the challenging issues that come with running a basketball team, both on and off the court.
The second episode follows Gordon as she scrambles to find a new sponsor for the team and pursues some innovative ideas to land a new contract.
Watch a trailer for the series below.
