Mindy Kaling just gave fans a new reason to get fired up for Running Point season 3

Netflix scored a slam dunk with the original series Running Point, the hilarious basketball comedy starring Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson and from co-creator Mindy Kaling, and the upcoming third season couldn't have more excitement behind it. The cast and crew turned to set earlier this fall to begin filming the third season, but they have officially been joined by a new cast member.

If you're like me and you have been longing for Mindy Kaling to step back in front of the camera, all of our wishes will finally be granted in Running Point season 3. Netflix and Kaling announced on Oct. 19 that the co-creator and writer will appear in season 3 in a recurring role, marking Kaling's first on-screen appearance in one of her television productions since The Mindy Project.

Mindy Kaling joins Running Point season 3 in recurring role

Netflix shared a video of cast members Kate Hudson, Justin Theroux, Brenda Song, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, and Fabrizio Guido on the Los Angeles Waves practice court set passing a basketball to Kaling, who wasn't on set with the cast. But the streaming service already clued us in on who Kaling will be playing, and she's set for a season of sparring with Hudson's Isla Gordon.

Kaling steps into the role of Divya, who is the CEO of a popular gambling app and a new adversary for Isla to contend with during what's sure to be another challenging basketball season. Netflix describes Divya as "outspoken" and "confident" as the first female leader in a space dominated by male counterparts, which she shares in common with Isla. But don't expect them to be fast friends.

It's unclear how many episodes Kaling will appear in as Divya, but the promise of her being a "thorn in Isla's plans all season" seems to promise that we will be seeing a fair amount throughout season 3. Considering Isla will be dealing with Cam teaming up with Al and Jay to revive a dead basketball franchise, there's no doubt Divya could possibly team up with Isla's enemies.

Netflix had even more exciting news for Running Point season 3, which will bring Kate Hudson's television directing debut. The Oscar-nominated actress, who previously directly a short film in 2007, helms the first episode of the third season. Hudson pulls double duty as star and director, and while we don't know if Kaling will be in the first episode, the prospect of a pro directing a pro is thrilling.

Along with news of Kaling's on-screen addition, Netflix confirmed the returning cast members. In addition to Hudson, Song, Theroux, Tarver, MacArthur, and Guido, the main cast remains fleshed out with Chet Hanks and Toby Sandeman. The returning recurring cast includes Ray Romano, Uche Agada, Ken Marino, and Jay Ellis, with others sure to be confirmed later.

Hopefully, Kaling will share more behind the scenes snaps of her back in action as an actress very soon. Since working on shows like Never Have I Ever, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Running Point, and Not Suitable for Work, Kaling has taken a step back from acting. She hasn't appeared on screen since a 2023 episode of The Morning Show. But she will finally be back on our screens in 2027.

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