Editor’s note: This article contains discussion of domestic violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522.

The first season of P-Valley came and went and viewers are ready for more! But during the season finale, one character in particular divided viewers.

The season finale saw Keyshawn aka Miss Mississippi’s abusive boyfriend, Derek, get into a fight with Diamond (Tyler Lepley) over how he treated her.

A brawl transpired between the two, shots were fired, and the club cleared. Diamond was punching Connor with Keyshawn pleading him to stop. In order to get the fight to cease, Mississippi pulled the gun on Diamond.

A lot of viewers spoke out on social media, with some upset with Mississippi, while others acknowledged that she had to do what she had to do in order to be safe.

The show’s creator and showrunner, Katori Hall, as well as the writers’ room, made statements about the reactions. The writers’ room Twitter account said, “We know how many of you stan Keyshawn and Diamond, but we have to ask you to have empathy for an abused woman who ultimately chose to save her baby’s father from being beaten to death. We know how many of you stan Keyshawn and Diamond, but we have to ask you to have empathy for an abused woman who ultimately chose to save her baby’s father from being beaten to death. #PValley.” 

Hall tweeted, “A lot of people have asked “Why is Keyshawn letting a white man beat her?” I ask our community would it be better if a black man was beating her? Intimate Partner Violence knows no color or creed. It can be white on black, black on white, Chinese on white, trans on non-binary, lesbian on lesbian. IPV is IPV. In S2 we will get to understand her interracial relationship, her own personal history with abuse and the current abuse she’s combating with Derrick. Stay tuned. Her story is important for our community to see.”

P-Valley has been renewed for a second season, but there is no word on when it will resume production due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

 

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Photo: Starz

 

 

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