What is The Chair on Netflix about?

Netflix is about to release its latest original series, The Chair. The dramedy focuses on the life of Ji-Yoon Kim, a recent hire at a major university that’s in trouble.

The cast stars award-winning Sandra Oh, best known for her roles as Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy and Eve Polastri in Killing Eve. She’s joined by Jay Duplass, Holland Taylor, David Morse and a number of other actors.

The show seems to balance drama, comedy, romance and social criticism in a charming manner, with an incredible actress to lead the way.

Let’s see what’s in store for this killer cast!

What is The Chair about?

Pembroke University’s reputation is smudged when a viral video of Professor Bill Dobson (Duplass) rains widespread criticism on the college. Already in crisis due to budget cuts and declining enrollment, they can’t afford any more scrutiny. Their solution? Hire a new faculty member to show that they’re hip and inclusive.

Ji-Yoon Kim (Oh) is brought in as the new English department chair by the board members at Pembroke University to help their image problem. She’s thrilled to be breaking the glass ceiling as the first female chair at the college, but realizes too late there’s more work to the job than meets the eye. She gets more than what she bargained for when surrounded by failure and scandal. And even worse, the scandal is headed right for her!

From the trailer, it seems Ji-Yoon struggles with her newly appointed position on a number of fronts. She faces being one of the only women of color on staff, a slew of old men trying to pin problems on her, and a sparkle of romance between her and Professor Dobson.

However, she’s not alone. A side plot appears to be a naïve student who is tragically head over heels for the professor.

On top of everything else, Ji-Yoon has to balance her work life with being a single mother of a rambunctious 7-year old.

Netflix describes The Chair in the official synopsis:

"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."

With a measly six episodes in the first season, there’s no doubt The Chair will continue, especially since it stars the beloved Sandra Oh. How can one department chair solve the problems of an entire university? Honestly, I could watch Sandra Oh figure it out for 10 seasons, if that’s what it takes.

The Chair comes to Netflix on Aug. 20 at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time, which is 3:01 a.m. Eastern. Just in time to binge before the school year starts!

Also, if and when you need more Sandra Oh, Netflix can provide for you.