B Positive
B Positive is an American sitcom television series that premiered on CBS on November 5, 2020, and concluded after two seasons on March 10, 2022.[1] Created by Marco Pennette and executive produced by Chuck Lorre, the series centers on Drew Dunbar, a recently divorced therapist and father facing kidney failure, who reconnects with Gina Dabrowski, a former acquaintance from his time volunteering at a nursing home, leading her to donate one of her kidneys to him.[2] The show blends humor with heartfelt explorations of organ donation, friendship, family dynamics, and personal redemption, drawing inspiration from a real-life story shared by Pennette about his own kidney transplant experience.[2] The main cast features Thomas Middleditch as the anxious yet endearing Drew, Annaleigh Ashford as the bold and resilient Gina, Kether Donohue as Gina's free-spirited best friend Gabby, Sara Rue as Drew's ex-wife Julia, and Izzy G. as their teenage daughter Maddie, with recurring roles filled by notable actors including Jane Seymour, David Anthony Higgins, and Ben Vereen.[1] Produced in the multi-camera format typical of Lorre's comedies, B Positive was filmed in front of a live studio audience and aired 34 episodes across its run, maintaining a lighthearted tone while addressing serious health issues without veering into melodrama. Despite positive critical reception for its charming leads and fresh premise—earning an 85% approval rating for its first season on Rotten Tomatoes—the series was canceled by CBS in May 2022 due to declining viewership, though it found a dedicated audience for its optimistic and relatable storytelling.[3]Cast and characters
Main cast
Thomas Middleditch portrays Drew Dunbar, a recently divorced therapist and father grappling with end-stage renal disease who requires a kidney transplant to survive.[4] Middleditch, recognized for his Emmy-nominated performance as the anxious tech entrepreneur Richard Hendricks in HBO's Silicon Valley, brings sharp comedic timing and vulnerability to Drew, highlighting the character's internal conflicts amid health challenges and personal reinvention. Annaleigh Ashford stars as Gina Dabrowski, a free-spirited, working-class nurse's aide living in her mother's basement who impulsively offers to donate her kidney to Drew after reconnecting with him from high school.[5] Ashford, an Emmy-nominated actress for her role in Showtime's Masters of Sex and a Tony winner for her Broadway work in Wicked, infuses Gina with versatile energy, blending humor and pathos to depict her evolution from a chaotic party girl to a more responsible figure running a nursing home in season 2. Kether Donohue portrays Gabby, Gina's loyal and free-spirited best friend who works as a nurse's aide at the Valley Hills assisted living facility, providing comic relief and support in Gina's chaotic life.[6] Donohue, known for her starring role as Gretchen in FX's You're the Worst, brings a vivacious and unfiltered energy to Gabby, enhancing the show's exploration of friendship and personal growth. Sara Rue stars as Julia Dunbar, Drew's ex-wife and a successful businesswoman navigating co-parenting their daughter while dealing with the aftermath of their divorce. Rue, recognized for roles in CBS's Mom and ABC's Less Than Perfect, delivers a nuanced performance that highlights Julia's strength and lingering emotional ties to Drew.[7] Izzy G. plays Maddie Dunbar, Drew and Julia's wise-beyond-her-years teenage daughter who often acts as the mediator in her parents' post-divorce dynamics and grapples with her own adolescent challenges.[6] Izzy G., previously seen in Netflix's Tales of the City, portrays Maddie with authenticity, contributing to storylines on family reconciliation and youth perspectives on adult issues. Linda Lavin plays Norma Goldman, a witty and no-nonsense resident at the Valley Hills assisted living facility who forms a close bond with Drew and Gina, offering sage advice and comic relief through her sharp observations.[8] Promoted to series regular ahead of season 2, Lavin draws on her iconic portrayal of diner waitress Alice Hyatt in the long-running CBS sitcom Alice, where she earned multiple Emmy nominations, to deliver Norma's feisty, maternal presence that anchors the ensemble's interpersonal humor. The series' core dynamics revolve around the unlikely friendship between Drew and Gina, which begins as a pragmatic medical transaction but deepens into mutual support, challenging Drew's reserved nature and Gina's impulsiveness while fostering growth for both.[9] This central relationship extends to the supporting mains, including the dialysis group and nursing home residents like Norma, creating a found family that explores themes of vulnerability, redemption, and community amid illness.[10]Recurring and guest cast
The recurring cast of B Positive featured actors who portrayed key supporting characters, enriching the series' portrayal of family tensions, medical challenges, and communal bonds in the nursing home setting. These roles often highlighted interpersonal dynamics and provided comic relief or emotional depth without overshadowing the leads.| Actor | Character | Description | Episodes (approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darryl Stephens | Gideon | Gina's brother, whose presence explored sibling relationships and cultural family expectations. | 34 | https://deadline.com/2020/10/b-positive-izzy-g-cast-series-regular-briga-heelan-linda-lavin-among-5-recurring-cbs-comedy-series-chuck-lorre-1234596133/ |
| David Anthony Higgins | Jerry | A wisecracking dialysis patient at the clinic, enhancing the ensemble humor and camaraderie among patients. | 18 | https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11839500/fullcredits/ |
| Jane Seymour | Bette | A glamorous nursing home resident and potential romantic interest for Drew in season 2, bringing elegance and wit to the facility's social dynamics. | 14 | https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11839500/ |
| Briga Heelan | Samantha Turner | An uptight, intense millennial in Drew's dialysis group who does not suffer fools, adding layers to the support network around chronic illness. | 14 | https://deadline.com/2020/10/b-positive-izzy-g-cast-series-regular-briga-heelan-linda-lavin-among-5-recurring-cbs-comedy-series-chuck-lorre-1234596133/ |
Episodes
Series overview
B Positive is an American sitcom that aired for two seasons on CBS, comprising a total of 34 episodes: 18 in the first season and 16 in the second.[11][12] The series premiered on November 5, 2020, with its pilot episode, and the first season concluded on May 13, 2021.[13][14] The second season began on October 14, 2021, and ended with the series finale on March 10, 2022.[15][16] The narrative arc of B Positive centers on the evolving relationship between protagonists Drew Dunbar, a therapist in need of a kidney transplant, and Gina Dabrowski, his unexpected donor. Season 1 primarily explores the challenges of Drew's pre-transplant life on dialysis, his interactions at the dialysis center, culminating in the kidney transplant from Gina, highlighting themes of dependency, gratitude, and personal growth.[17] In contrast, Season 2 shifts focus to post-surgery independence, with Gina taking ownership of a retirement home and navigating new business and romantic challenges, while Drew embarks on road trips, develops fresh relationships, and confronts life changes beyond his health crisis.[18][12] The series concluded after two seasons when CBS decided not to renew it for a third, despite the season 2 finale featuring unresolved storylines that suggested potential for further exploration, as intended by creator Marco Pennette.[16][19]Season 1 (2020–21)
The first season of B Positive premiered on CBS on November 5, 2020, and concluded on May 13, 2021, consisting of 18 episodes that establish the core dynamics between therapist Drew Dunbar and his kidney donor Gina Dabrowski as they navigate personal crises and an unlikely friendship. Throughout the season, Drew and Gina's relationship evolves from a transactional donor-recipient arrangement to a deeper bond, marked by cohabitation, shared vulnerabilities during Drew's dialysis treatments, and mutual support amid their respective life upheavals. The nursing home where Gina works introduces an ensemble of colorful residents and staff, including the optimistic Jerry, the sharp-tongued Norma, and the anxious Eli, who provide comic relief and emotional depth to the group's interactions. Drew's ongoing divorce from his ex-wife Julia complicates his parenting of daughter Maddie and his emotional recovery, often intersecting with Gina's chaotic past involving family estrangement and financial instability.[20] Key developments in the season highlight the characters' growth: early episodes focus on the initial donor matching and living arrangements, mid-season arcs explore the dialysis group's camaraderie and individual backstories, and later episodes build toward the pivotal kidney transplant while addressing romantic entanglements and self-discovery. A significant milestone spans episodes 9 and 10: in "B Negative," Jerry receives a call about an available kidney, and in "B Negative Part 2," the transplant ultimately fails, prompting Drew and Gina to reassess their own futures and strengthening their resolve.[20][21] The season also features holiday-themed episodes, such as the Christmas installment in episode 5, "High Risk Factor," where family tensions and festive mishaps underscore themes of belonging. Another arc milestone is Gina's road trip in episode 11, "Recessive Gina," to uncover her family medical history, revealing insights into her heritage and resilience. The transplant surgery for Drew and Gina is delayed until the finale, "Life Expectancy," symbolizing the season's culmination of anticipation and hope.[20][22] Production of the season was notably affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, with filming for episodes 6 onward resuming under strict safety protocols after an initial pilot completed pre-shutdown. A mid-season hiatus extended from late December 2020 through mid-January 2021 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles, delaying production on Warner Bros. Television shows including B Positive and contributing to a compressed backorder schedule for the remaining episodes. This pause followed the airing of episode 5 on December 17, 2020, resulting in a seven-week gap before episode 6 aired on January 21, 2021.[23][24] The season's episodes are summarized in the following table:| No. | Title | Air Date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot | November 5, 2020 | Drew, a recently divorced father, discovers he needs a kidney and finds his donor in an unexpected person.[20] |
| 2 | Die Alysis | November 12, 2020 | Drew’s worsening condition prompts him to ensure Gina’s commitment to donating her kidney, offering her something she can’t refuse.[20] |
| 3 | Foreign Bodies | November 19, 2020 | Gina settles into Drew’s house, causing him to question his decision.[20] |
| 4 | Joint Pain | December 3, 2020 | After a tough divorce mediation, Gina surprises Drew to lift his spirits.[20] |
| 5 | High Risk Factor | December 17, 2020 | Drew tracks Gina’s reckless behavior with an app due to concern.[20] |
| 6 | Open Heart Surgery | January 21, 2021 | Gina manages a psych evaluation while coping with an ex’s engagement news.[20] |
| 7 | Phantom Limb | February 11, 2021 | Missing a soccer game due to dialysis, Drew questions his sacrifices.[20] |
| 8 | Integration Therapy | February 18, 2021 | Drew realizes he lost friends post-divorce; Gina hosts a dialysis group party.[20] |
| 9 | B Negative | February 25, 2021 | Jerry receives a call about an available kidney, prompting Drew and Gina to think about their futures.[20][25] |
| 10 | B Negative Part 2 | March 4, 2021 | Drew’s depression after a friend’s failed surgery is eased by Gina.[20] |
| 11 | Recessive Gina | March 11, 2021 | Gina takes Drew and Norma on a road trip for her father’s medical records.[20] |
| 12 | Canine Extraction | April 1, 2021 | Gina trains a dog; Drew deals with Maddie growing up.[20] |
| 13 | Inflammatory Response | April 8, 2021 | Norma moves into Drew’s house after a fire; Gina and Eli’s romance grows.[20] |
| 14 | Love Life Support | April 15, 2021 | Gina sabotages her relationship with Eli over a Vegas wedding invite.[20] |
| 15 | Miss Diagnosis | April 22, 2021 | Drew goes on a first post-divorce date; Gina helps Eli with an interview.[20] |
| 16 | A Cute Asphyxiation | April 29, 2021 | Drew and Gina struggle in new relationships; Norma plans an Italy trip with Gina.[20] |
| 17 | Transplanticipation | May 6, 2021 | Gina and Drew plan their futures with surgery scheduled.[20] |
| 18 | Life Expectancy | May 13, 2021 | Pre-surgery, Gina seeks a new apartment; Drew celebrates his last dialysis day.[20] |
Season 2 (2021–22)
The second season of B Positive premiered on October 14, 2021, and concluded on March 10, 2022, consisting of 16 episodes that shifted focus to the characters' post-transplant lives, emphasizing recovery, new relationships, and personal growth within the Valley Hills retirement community. Building on the kidney transplant from the first season, the narrative arcs explored Drew Dunbar's (Thomas Middleditch) evolving therapy practice and romantic entanglements, including a brief fling and a cross-country road trip that prompted self-reflection, while Gina Dabrowski (Annaleigh Ashford) navigated her empowerment as the new owner of Valley Hills, tackling business challenges, family dynamics with her sister Natalie, and entrepreneurial ventures like managing the facility's staff and residents.[26] The ensemble expanded with deeper backstories, such as Norma's family tensions and Jerry's health improvements, incorporating humor centered on the absurdities of aging and recovery, alongside guest appearances that provided emotional closure, such as those aiding in mourning a beloved resident. Key events highlighted Gina's leadership trials, including mediating resident disputes and fending off rival facilities, contrasted with Drew's wanderlust and budding connections that ultimately drew him back to the community. The season culminated in character resolutions, with Gina weighing a sale of Valley Hills and Drew preparing for an Alaska adventure, underscoring themes of found family and forward momentum. Increased comedic elements arose from recovery mishaps, like pet integrations and road trip breakdowns, blending lighthearted moments with poignant reflections on loss and change. The following table lists the season's episodes, including titles, original air dates on CBS, and brief plot synopses:| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Air date | Synopsis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 1 | Love, Taxes and a Kidney | October 14, 2021 | As Gina and Drew adjust to life after the kidney transplant surgery, Drew develops romantic feelings for a new person, while Gina receives surprising news about a friend's death. [27] |
| 20 | 2 | Vermont, Switzerland and Connecticut | October 21, 2021 | Gina's newfound wealth from an inheritance strains her relationship with Eli; meanwhile, Drew's girlfriend Adriana makes an unexpected visit. [28] |
| 21 | 3 | Bagels, Billiards and a Magic Show | October 28, 2021 | On her first day as owner of Valley Hills, Gina enlists Drew's help to connect with a short-tempered resident whose wife is ill. |
| 22 | 4 | Baseball, Walkers and Wine | November 4, 2021 | Gina devises a plan to give resident Meredith space from her overprotective husband; Drew musters the courage to confess his feelings to Gina. |
| 23 | 5 | Novocaine, Bond and Bocce | November 11, 2021 | Gina urges Jerry to relocate to the senior center after he faints at work; Drew and Gina confront the aftermath of a drunken night together. |
| 24 | 6 | A Dishwasher, a Fire and a Remote Control | November 18, 2021 | Gina faces pressure to dismiss the facility's chef; Drew loses patience with a challenging therapy patient. |
| 25 | 7 | A Camper, a Compass and a Cannoli | December 2, 2021 | Gina introduces her dog Cannoli to Valley Hills, where it bonds with the seniors; Drew gears up for a cross-country journey in a camper van. |
| 26 | 8 | A Dog, a Mousse and a Bat | December 9, 2021 | Gina assists Harry in preparing a special anniversary dinner for his ailing wife; on the road, Drew encounters a charming young woman. |
| 27 | 9 | Heartburn, Woodstock and Ribs | January 6, 2022 | Drew returns from his trip to join Gina and the Valley Hills community in grieving the loss of a dear friend. |
| 28 | 10 | S'mores, Elvis and a Cubano | January 13, 2022 | Gina's sister Natalie pays a surprise visit; Drew and Harry embark on a road trip, though their destinations differ. |
| 29 | 11 | Louisville, Bubbaroo and Sully | January 20, 2022 | Gina employs Peter's son as her lawyer, complicating matters when he asks her on a date; Drew and Harry's van fails during their journey, stranding them. |
| 30 | 12 | Dagobah, a Room and a Chimney Sweep | January 27, 2022 | Valley Hills residents vie for an upgraded room; Drew and Harry arrive at the Grand Tetons, but Drew lacks the anticipated revelation. |
| 31 | 13 | A Boss, a Bear Claw and a Defibrillator | February 3, 2022 | Gina grapples with her dual role as boss and friend to Gabby and Gideon; Drew takes on driving the Valley Hills van; Jerry discovers he is fit to depart the facility. |
| 32 | 14 | Osteoporosis, Benihana and a Slinky | February 24, 2022 | Gina intervenes in the conflict between Norma and her abrasive sister Irene at Valley Hills; Harry arranges a date for Drew; Spencer and Bette advance their relationship. |
| 33 | 15 | Payroll, a Waterwall and Valley Forge | March 3, 2022 | After Mrs. Ludlum resigns and joins a competing facility, Gina fights to maintain operations at Valley Hills; Drew debates another road trip versus remaining near Gina. |
| 34 | 16 | Juneau, Froyo and Mario Kart | March 10, 2022 | Gina faces a dilemma with an offer to sell Valley Hills to a rival; Drew readies for his major expedition to Alaska. [29] |