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The Chair

  • TV Mini Series
  • 2021
  • TV-MA
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
19K
YOUR RATING
Sandra Oh in The Chair (2021)
The Chair follows Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh) as she navigates her new role as the Chair of the English department at prestigious Pembroke University. Ji-Yoon is faced with a unique set of challenges as the first woman to chair the department, and as one of the few staff members of color at the university. Starring Sandra Oh, Jay Duplass, Holland Taylor, Bob Balaban, Nana Mensah, David Morse, and Everly Carganilla, The Chair premieres on Netflix August 20th.
Play trailer1:36
9 Videos
37 Photos
ComedyDrama

At a major university, the first woman of color to become chair tries to meet the dizzying demands and high expectations of a failing English department.At a major university, the first woman of color to become chair tries to meet the dizzying demands and high expectations of a failing English department.At a major university, the first woman of color to become chair tries to meet the dizzying demands and high expectations of a failing English department.

  • Creators
    • Amanda Peet
    • Annie Julia Wyman
  • Stars
    • Sandra Oh
    • Jay Duplass
    • Bob Balaban
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    19K
    YOUR RATING
    • Creators
      • Amanda Peet
      • Annie Julia Wyman
    • Stars
      • Sandra Oh
      • Jay Duplass
      • Bob Balaban
    • 180User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations total

    Episodes6

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-ratedSeason2021

    Videos9

    How Sandra Oh and the Cast of "The Chair" Learned to Play College Professors
    Clip 2:59
    How Sandra Oh and the Cast of "The Chair" Learned to Play College Professors
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:36
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:36
    Official Trailer
    The Chair
    Trailer 1:37
    The Chair
    The Chair: First Look
    Trailer 2:31
    The Chair: First Look
    The Chair (Dutch Trailer 1 Subtitled)
    Trailer 1:35
    The Chair (Dutch Trailer 1 Subtitled)
    The Chair (French Trailer 1)
    Trailer 1:36
    The Chair (French Trailer 1)

    Photos36

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    Top cast80

    Edit
    Sandra Oh
    Sandra Oh
    • Ji-Yoon Kim
    Jay Duplass
    Jay Duplass
    • Bill Dobson
    Bob Balaban
    Bob Balaban
    • Elliot Rentz
    Nana Mensah
    Nana Mensah
    • Yaz McKay
    Everly Carganilla
    Everly Carganilla
    • Ju-Hee
    David Morse
    David Morse
    • Dean Paul Larson
    Holland Taylor
    Holland Taylor
    • Joan Hambling
    Ron Crawford
    • Professor McHale
    Jordan Tyson
    • Capri
    Ji Yong Lee
    Ji Yong Lee
    • Habi
    Ella Rubin
    Ella Rubin
    • Dafna
    Mallory Low
    Mallory Low
    • Lila
    Bob Stephenson
    Bob Stephenson
    • Horatio
    Cliff Chamberlain
    Cliff Chamberlain
    • Ronny
    Marcia DeBonis
    Marcia DeBonis
    • Laurie
    Mark Philip Stevenson
    Mark Philip Stevenson
    • Professor Pollack
    Ken Bolden
    Ken Bolden
    • Professor Plum
    Randy Kovitz
    Randy Kovitz
    • Professor Reinhardt
    • Creators
      • Amanda Peet
      • Annie Julia Wyman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews180

    7.219.4K
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    Featured reviews

    7aishasocial

    That's Really How Academia works.

    As a young faculty member, and woman this pressure really happens, and for the first time I see my self in a show.

    I do wished it was longer, it feels like they rushed it and squeeze it in only 6 episodes.
    7coleco2000

    Engaging Comedy at its Best

    The university's in trouble with low student enrollment and some of the elder professors are at the core of the problem. The younger more talented staff is not without their own problems as Sandra Oh's character takes the Chair position to address the problems while contemplating her own needs and desires. It is quirky as well written and engaging, well acted, and plenty of star power. Lots of laughs.
    7markmm-22673

    Great show

    Finally, a show that's not about cops, crime, zombies, etc.
    chelbelle77

    Generally good but...

    Perhaps I'm the right sort of age for this - mid forties - but I found this pretty funny and of course Sandra Oh is always compelling to watch.

    What I find hard to get my head around is that while the subject matter and in fact what the characters are often talking about is race, gender and inequality, the characterization does not live up to those ideals. The characterization of white men, women and people of color are very tired and old. The female chair is always scrambling and in a panic perpetuating the idea that women are less capable in leadership positions, the sole black teacher has no backstory and exists only in relation to the other characters. There is a very typical white male role - 'brilliant washed up professor' who behaves without responsibility but it's excused because he's 1. Brilliant and 2. Sad. So bored of that narrative. The only decent representation is Joan for being a badass but still relies on the old trope that older woman doesn't feel appealing so says what's on her mind because she's nothing to lose.

    If you're going to make a series that talks explicitly about issues of gender, race and inequality then your work need to be above what you're critiquing. Otherwise you're not hitting the nail on the head so much as missing the mark entirely. Which is a shame because you can see they're trying.

    Perhaps more diversity in the leadership roles and less from the types of people who brought us the death of Khaleesi.
    7Calicodreamin

    Both sides of woke

    This whole series is dedicated to the woke movement but in a refreshing way it kind of focused on both sides. The acting was decent, love Sandra Oh and Holland Taylor, they were perfect. The storylines were interesting and the humor hit.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Chair was filmed on location in Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. To create Pembroke University's campus, the show alternated between Washington & Jefferson College and Chatham University's Shadyside campus.
    • Connections
      Featured in Morning Express with Robin Meade: 8-27-2021 (2021)

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    FAQ18

    • How many seasons does The Chair have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 20, 2021 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Netflix Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • رئيسة القسم
    • Filming locations
      • Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
    • Production companies
      • BLB Media
      • Netflix Studios
      • Netflix
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.00 : 1

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