On October 1, 2006, The Game premiered on The CW, introducing viewers to the relationships behind a fictional professional football team. Created by Mara Brock Akil as a spinoff of Girlfriends, the series followed Melanie Barnett, played by Tia Mowry, as she pursued medical school in San Diego after following her boyfriend, rookie receiver Derwin Davis. Life around the Sabers brought her into a circle where football success often complicated what happened at home.

The series paired its relationship drama with comedy, giving viewers plenty to debate about Melanie and Derwin while making Tasha Mack a fan favorite. After its cancellation in 2009, The Game returned on BET in 2011, drawing 7.7 million viewers for its fourth-season premiere. Its ensemble grew to include Brandy and Lauren London, while Jay Ellis joined as a new player finding his way. A Paramount+ revival followed in 2021, extending a television run that began fifteen years earlier.

As The Game turns 20, we revisit the characters who kept viewers watching and catch up with the actors behind them. Take a look at the cast then and now.

Melanie Barnett-Davis, M.D.

Courtesy of The CW

Tia Mowry

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 27: Tia Mowry attends the 2025 ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 27, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for ESSENCE)

Derwin Davis

Courtesy of The CW

Pooch Hall

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 01: Pooch Hall arrives on red carpet during Dream 4 All Foundation Presents Hollywood And African Prestigious Awards at Wilshire Ebell Theatre on November 01, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mark Gunter/Getty Images for HAPAwards)

Tasha Mack

Courtesy of The CW

Wendy Raquel Robinson

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Wendy Raquel Robinson attends The Chi Season 7 LA Premiere Event at St. Helen’s House on May 08, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for Paramount)

Malik Wright

Courtesy of The CW

Hosea Chanchez

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 20: Hosea Chanchez attends RIVAWORKS photocall, Unstoppable at Slamdance at Landmark Theatres Sunset on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for RIVAWORKS )

Jason Pitts

Courtesy of The CW

Coby Bell

NEW YORK, NY – MAY 14: Coby Bell attends 2018 Fox Network Upfront at Wollman Rink, Central Park on May 14, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/WireImage)

Chardonnay Pitts

Brandy (Photo: BET)

Brandy Norwood

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 30: Brandy Norwood on Day One of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Sunday, August 30, 2026 in Flushing, NY. (Photo by Michael Mooney/USTA via Getty Images)

Keira Michelle Whitaker

Courtesy of The CW

Lauren London

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 08: Lauren London attends the 2025 Baby2Baby Gala presented by Paul Mitchell at Pacific Design Center on November 08, 2025 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images)

Bryce “Blueprint” Westbrook

Courtesy of The CW

Jay Ellis

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – MAY 28: Jay Ellis attends Hulu’s “Not Suitable For Work” New York Premiere at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge on May 28, 2026 in Brooklyn, New York. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Author: Okla Jones

Read the original article on Essence.