Inside VH1’s New Series ‘Hit The Floor’ with Charlotte Ross

25 May, 2013

The music is hard, their bodies are killer and the dance moves are intense. The promotions for VH1’s new scripted series “Hit The Floor” highlight the drama surrounding the ladies of the Los Angeles Devil Girls, the premiere dance team in all of professional basketball.

Behind the dramatic side eyes and kill or be killed story lines is a diverse cast with strong female characters. A big reason veteran actress Charlotte Ross signed on to the series.

Charlotte Ross plays Olivia

“VH1 did a really good job of showing what society is now with the cast.  It’s really interesting to see how far television has come in that way.” Ross says.  James Larosa who created the series “reminds me a little bit of a young Marc Cherry (Desperate Housewives) in the fact that he just knows how to write women of all ages really well, juicy, fun and not stereotypical.”

Ross plays Olivia, the shrewd squad manager and the glue that keeps the team together.  Think a sexy version of Glee’s Sue Slyvester which is who Ross thought of after reading the script.  However, Olivia “is married to a Kobe Bryant equivalent” played by Rick Foxx.

“I’m ruthless but also passionate, like a mother hen towards the young girls.” Ross continues.  Olivia is “very much a perfectionist and doesn’t stand for anything less than professionalism.”

After doing a stint on Glee, Ross experienced first-hand the dynamics of a show fueled as much by dance routines as acting. “On Glee, the minute the cast was done with their acting scenes they had to run and do all of the practice for their singing.  The schedule was intense.  This is the same thing.”

“It’s not G-family rated.” Ross contends.  “Yes, it’s a young cast but the dancing is like looking at 12 sexy Beyonce’s sometimes covered in water.  It’s really sexy.”

If the dancing doesn’t keep your attention the fierce competition and scandalous scenarios of this fictitious look into the world of professional basketball will.

The Los Angeles Devils are the number one team in the league. However, in the series, the men share the spotlight with their dancers the Devil Girls.  According to a VH1 release, at the center of the show is a sheltered young woman who joins the team against the wishes of her mother who used to be a Devil Girl herself. The star captain refuses to let anyone else share the spotlight.  Then there’s the former All-Star who’s come back to coach his old team only to have to contend with the girls both stealing the spotlight and distracting the players. All the while, the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a missing Devil Girls dancer threatens to blow the roof off the entire L.A. Devils organization.

While the storylines are scripted and VH1 does not claim to dramatize any real-life professional players, the series mimics the world from the sidelines.  Staying true to the concept of high-rollers and floor seats, fans can expect a bevy of guest appearances including Mark Cuban, Akon, Eva Marcille and Kevin McCall.

You can catch the premiere episode Memorial Day at 9/8 Central. Whether you’re a basketball fan or not, this series is sure to spice up your Monday nights.

B. Spencer

(Photo Credits Marta Elena, Charlotte Ross and VH1)

Mentioned In This Post: @HitTheFloor, @VH1