The Have And The Have Nots cast often referred to as HAHN and abbreviated as HAHN, stands as an American crime drama and soap opera masterminded, executive produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry. The show’s foundation draws inspiration from Perry’s 2011 play of the same title.
Debuting on May 28, 2013, “The Have And The Have Nots cast” captivated audiences for 8 seasons on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), totaling 196 hour-long episodes. The series concluded on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, accompanied by a two-part cast reunion special featuring all the main characters, set in front of a live studio audience. Part 1 of the reunion aired on July 27, and Part 2 followed on August 3.
The show achieved significant recognition, securing its place among the top 2 scripted cable series with a predominantly African American cast. Throughout its run, the soap opera dominated the ratings for OWN programming and amassed an average of 2.8 million total viewers across its 196 episodes. In its peak years from 2014 to 2017, the program garnered over 3.1 million viewers annually. Notably, the show earned acclaim in June 2021, being named the most-watched scripted cable series among African American women and households.
“The Have And The Have Nots cast” holds a unique distinction as the first scripted and fictionalized television series to grace the Oprah Winfrey Network, marking a significant milestone for the network’s success. Before its debut, Oprah Winfrey expressed challenges in sustaining the network, stating in a 2012 interview that she might have chosen an alternative path had she known the difficulties involved. Nevertheless, the show’s resounding success paved the way for numerous other popular scripted dramas on Winfrey’s network, including notable series like “Queen Sugar” and “Greenleaf.
Synopsis: The Have And The Have Nots cast
Set in Savannah, Georgia, this series revolves around three families with vastly different backgrounds and struggles. On one side, there are the affluent and influential Cryer and Harrington families, known as “The Haves,” and on the other side, the impoverished Young family, referred to as “The Have Nots.” Hanna, a single mother, works as the maid for the Cryer family and is also the close confidante of Katheryn, the lady of the house.
The show delves into the toxic dynamics, conflicts, corruption, and dysfunctional relationships that exist between the privileged and underprivileged families. Both sides have deeply flawed characters, leading to constant chaos, tension, and calamity. The storyline frequently incorporates violence, sabotage, rape, framing, murder, arson, and other criminal acts to resolve conflicts.
Despite the stark contrast in social class, economics, and social status, all the families share broken family units and lead toxic lifestyles. The root cause of their turmoil lies in their complex backstories, dating back before the events of the series. Additionally, habitual fraudulence and the misappropriation of wealth play a central role, leading to a constant shift in who is considered “the haves” and “the have nots” throughout the series.
Character
Tika Sumpter stars as Candace Young, a cunning and manipulative character who is both the estranged daughter of Hanna and Benny’s older half-sister and the mistress of Jim Cryer. Besides “The Have And The Have Nots cast,” Sumpter is recognized for her roles in the Ride Along franchises and as Layla Williamson in One Life to Live from 2006 to 2011.
Crystal Fox portrays Hanna Young, the caring and compassionate mother of both Candace and Benny. She also works as a maid in the Cryer household and carries a dark past. Fox is also renowned for her portrayal of Elizabeth Howard in the TV series Big Little Lies.
Tyler Lepley takes on the role of Benjamin “Benny” Young, the hardworking and personable son of Hanna and Candace’s younger half-brother. Unlike his troublesome sister, Benny maintains a responsible demeanor. This role marks a significant breakthrough for Lepley as an actor.
Renee Lawless is Katheryn Cryer, the wife of Jim Cryer. She possesses a passive-aggressive nature but is genuinely sensitive and caring. Coming from one of the wealthiest families in Savannah, Katheryn’s character holds complexity. Lawless, with limited acting credits, successfully embodies the role of Katheryn.
Jaclyn Betham plays Amanda Cryer, a close friend of Candace who tragically passed away in the Season 2 finale.
Aaron O’Connell portrays Wyatt Cryer, Jim and Katheryn Cryer’s troubled son, who struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. This role has been a significant opportunity for O’Connell, and he has pursued other projects since joining the show.
Peter Parros portrays David Harrington, the patriarch of the Harrington Family and a judge who is also a friend of Jim Cryer. David faces ongoing challenges in his relationship with his wife, Veronica. Parros, an experienced soap opera veteran, has previously appeared in shows like One Life to Live and As the World Turns.
Angela Robinson embodies Veronica Harrington, the matriarch of the Harrington family. On the surface, Veronica appears refined, but beneath, she seethes with malice. Robinson’s career started with this role, although she had a couple of prior guest appearances on TV.
Gavin Houston takes on the role of Jeffrey Harrington, the son of David and Veronica. He becomes involved in a conspiracy with Candace to murder Quincy, a plan they successfully execute but must hide. Houston has appeared regularly in other TV series such as Guiding Light, General Hospital, and The Bay.
Eva Tamargo played Celine Gonzales, a former maid in the Cryer home who had an illegitimate son with Jim. Her character was fired from the Cryer household in season 3 and did not return. Tamargo is known for her work in Saints & Sinners, Passions, and No Me Hallo.
John Schneider stars as James “Jim” Cryer, the head of the Cryer household and a judge in Savannah. Known for his power plays and philandering, Jim is one of Schneider’s many notable roles. With a vast acting career of over 150 projects, Schneider is also recognized for his portrayal of Jonathan Kent in Smallville and his iconic role in Dukes of Hazzard.
These characters are at the heart of the show’s intricate plot, filled with drama, secrets, and intense interactions. Each actor brings their unique talent to portray the complex lives and relationships of the characters, making “The Have And The Have Nots cast” a captivating and unforgettable series.
Cast Diversity
The Have And The Have Nots cast is notable for its impressive cast diversity, which mostly consists of actors and actresses of African American descent while also incorporating a variety of other racial origins. Both European and African American actors play the upper-class families, while African American actors also play the destitute family. Additionally, a Hispanic maid is part of the ensemble. In an interview about her role as Veronica Harrington, Angela Robinson, the actress playing the character, praised the show’s commitment to diversity, stating that it represents a true reflection of America with its mix of black, white, Latino, straight, gay, rich, and poor characters.
Filming Locations and Setting
The series is set in the charming city of Savannah, Georgia, and artfully captures the essence of a traditional antebellum setting, portraying the aristocratic culture often associated with towns like Savannah.
The majority of the filming for The Have And The Have Nots cast took place at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. However, to capture various scenes authentically, the production also ventured to other locations within Georgia. Notably, the Old Douglas County Jail in Douglasville, Georgia, became one of the show’s settings, thanks to its historical significance and its use in various television and film productions after being restored by local authorities. Additionally, scenes were filmed at the 151 W. Main Building in Canton, Georgia. These diverse locations contributed to the show’s authentic portrayal of its captivating narrative.
Awards and Nominations
The character “Veronica Harrington” in the series served as a central antagonist and garnered significant media attention due to her unique brand of villainy, being portrayed as “the ice queen with ice water running through her veins.” A piece by NBC News described her as an “insecure woman that everyone loves to hate” and a “bougie buppie, diabolical diva who slept her way to the top of Savannah’s high society”.
The following award recognition was received in 2015:
- Gracie Awards: Outstanding Female Actor – One to Watch
- Nominee: Angela Robinson
- Result: Won
Note: This is a condensed version of the original text, focusing solely on the awards and nominations section.
Ratings:
The Have And The Have Nots cast, OWN’s first scripted television series, aired on May 28, 2013. The first and second episodes of the show broadcast back-to-back on the first night. After three years of holding the record, the “Greenleaf” series shattered it in June 2016 with the highest ratings ever for an OWN series launch.
During its initial season, “The Have And The Have Nots cast” garnered widespread acclaim, becoming Variety’s recognized as “OWN’s most popular series to date.” The show was praised for its weekly dose of engaging drama, featuring betrayals, affairs, manipulations, and dramatic confrontations.
A turning point for OWN occurred with the midseason 2 finale of a specific episode, “Why Didn’t You Inform Me?,” which aired on March 11, 2014. With 3.6 million people, it ranked #1 among cable television shows, fourth overall among all the programming running that night, and was OWN’s highest watched broadcast. More people tuned in than ever before to Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Bobbi Kristina, making it the most viewed program in network history.
According to a survey from May 2015, African-American women and all viewers gave “The Have And The Have Nots cast” season three the highest ratings. The show frequently drew well over three million viewers, demonstrating its popularity.
Series End
A two-part cast reunion special of “The Have And The Have Nots cast,” which drew inspiration from reality television, was shown after the series’ conclusion in front of a live studio audience. Part I of the series finale package aired on July 27, 2021, while Part II aired on August 3, 2021. The package debuted on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. This unique addition of a cast reunion special was a departure from typical scripted programming, showcasing turbulent exchanges among cast members in relation to the recent season’s events. The reunion special was hosted by Egypt Sherrod.
The decision to conclude the series after eight seasons was influenced by declining ratings and Tyler Perry’s contract with OWN ending in 2019, as he transitioned to Viacom CBs BET Network. Despite the decline in Nielsen ratings during its final seasons, “The Have And The Have Nots cast” remained the highest-rated program on OWN and enjoyed a longer run than most television series. The announcement of the show’s ending generated significant emotion among its dedicated fanbase, who expressed sadness over its departure.
Reflecting on the series’ conclusion, Oprah Winfrey acknowledged its massive success and impact, stating, “The Have And The Have Nots cast was the first scripted drama we aired on OWN, and to say it took off from the first day it hit the air is an understatement. It’s all due to one man’s creativity and very vivid imagination. I thank Tyler, the incredible cast, the tireless crew, and every single viewer who watched with bated breath each week and tweeted along with us these past eight years.”
