“Nobody respects you guys because you don’t respect each other,” a reluctant step coach tells her new team in a trailer for “Step Sisters.” The upcoming Netflix comedy centers on Jamilah Bishop (Megalyn Echikunwoke, “Damien”), a star student determined to attend Harvard Law School. She’s the president of her sorority and the captain of their step crew, but steps down from her duties to concentrate her energies on Harvard. It’s not long before she’s dragged back to step — but not by her own crew.
When a rival sorority becomes embroiled in scandal, the college dean enlists Jamilah. If she helps coach their step team and cleans up their image, she’s guaranteed admission to Harvard. “I can’t teach them. My black card would get revoked,” she insists. But she’s ultimately persuaded to help the notoriously rowdy, mostly white sorority and keeps her part-time gig a secret from her own sorority.
Jamilah has her work cut out for her — her new crew is seriously lacking in talent, and their attitude is even worse. It’s hard for them to learn anything when they’re constantly bickering. “If you build up the sisterhood I promise you have a real shot,” Jamilah tells them.
Directed by Charles Stone III (“Drumline”) and written by Chuck Hayward (“Dear White People”), “Step Sisters” hits Netflix January 19. If you’re wowed by the dancing in the spot, you may want to check out Amanda Lipitz’s “Step,” a critically acclaimed doc about a girls step team in Baltimore.
