Reneé Rapp to Exit ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ in Season 3
Essex College will never be the same after Season 3 because Reneé Rapp is leaving the college-set comedy, The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Deadline exclusively reported the news, sharing that Rapp, who starred as Leighton Murray since the show’s debut, will not be a series regular in the upcoming season and “will appear in a handful of episodes” before departing.
The Sex Lives of College Girls was renewed for Season 3 in December 2022 — the day before its Season 2 finale started streaming on HBO Max, now Max.
“Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble continue to brilliantly capture the college experience in the most entertaining and relatable way. This series is the perfect balance of comedy, sex, curiosity, and chaos, and we can’t wait to see what the next season brings,” Suzanna Makkos, EVP of Original Comedy and Adult Animation, HBO Max said at the time of its renewal.
Per its description, The Sex Lives of College Girls, which debuted in 2021, “follows four college roommates as they arrive at New England’s prestigious Essex College. A bundle of contradictions and hormones, these girls are equal parts lovable and infuriating as they live out their new, free lives on campus.”
The Season 2 finale leaves Leighton after leaving the Kappa Beta Rho sorority and breaking up with her then-girlfriend Tatum to get back together with her ex-girlfriend Alicia.
Rapp took to Twitter to address the news about her departure from The Sex Lives of College Girls and how it introduced her to some of her favorite people. Along with thanking creators Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble for the role, Rapp wrote, “A lot of queer work gets belittled — but playing Leighton has changed my life.”
“I love who I am 10x more than I did before knowing her. I hope she gave y’all a little bit of that too. She’s such a tiny part of representation, but even the tiny parts count. I wouldn’t be half the person I am without her and y’all. I love that bitch more than you know,” Rapp added.
“We love @reneerapp so much and of course will be so sad to say goodbye [to] Leighton Murray. But we can’t wait to see our friend on tour!!” Kaling wrote in her Instagram Stories, per TV Line.
“I remember so vividly when Mindy Kaling and I started talking about Leighton Murray and the journey we wanted for this character. And how when we saw Reneé Rapp’s audition, it barely took two minutes for us to immediately know she was the one,” Noble added on his Instagram stories.
“I’m so proud of her story, and how Reneé Rapp brought her to life with such a nuanced and real and funny and award-winning performance — and we will miss both Reneé and Leighton,” Noble concluded.
The Sex Lives of College Girls also stars Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, and Alyah Chanelle Scott, with Mekki Leeper, Christopher Meyer, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Lolo Spencer, Renika Williams, and Mitchell Slaggert joining as series regulars in Season 2.
Upon the launch of its 10-episode sophomore season, Max cited the series as “the top Max Original.”
The release date for The Sex Lives of College GirlsSeason 2 Episode 7, “The Essex College Food Workers Strike” and Season 2 Episode 8, “Pre-Frosh Weekend,” set a new record for the series by delivering an audience more than double that of the series launch in 2021.”
Kaling, Noble, and Howard Klein executive produce the show, with Kaling International and 3 Arts Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television producing.
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The Sex Lives of College Girls is streaming now on Max.
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Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.