So, you just finished that wild ride of a sequel and your head is probably spinning. Honestly, after the first movie basically broke the internet (or at least Lifetime’s viewership records with over 8 million people watching), we all knew Monica couldn't stay safe for long. Three years later, and here we are. The cast of Single Black Female 2 Simone's Revenge film isn't just a group of actors; it's a reunion of some of the most intense psychological thriller energy we’ve seen on cable TV lately.
The story picks up three years after the first movie's chaotic ending. Monica, played by the incredible Raven Goodwin, has traded the drama of her old life for a fresh start in Seattle. She’s the host of "Red Alert," a top-rated investigative news show. Everything is looking up. She has her ride-or-die bestie Bebe (K. Michelle) by her side and even a potential new romance. But this is a Lifetime movie. We know peace is just a setup for the storm.
The Core Players: Who Returned for the Sequel?
It’s rare to get the whole gang back together for a sequel, but this film wouldn't work without the central tug-of-war between Raven Goodwin and Amber Riley. Their chemistry is sort of terrifying, right?
Amber Riley as Simone / Sister Grace
Amber Riley is a powerhouse. Most people know her from Glee, but she has fully embraced her "villain era" as Simone. In this sequel, we find her secretly nursed back to health, suffering from amnesia. She’s living a quiet life as "Sister Grace" until she catches a glimpse of Monica on television. Then? Boom. The memories come flooding back, and the crazy switch flips right back on. Riley's ability to go from sweet and vulnerable to "I will dismantle your entire life" in a single scene is what makes this movie.
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Raven Goodwin as Monica Harris
Raven Goodwin brings a lot of heart to Monica. In this installment, she’s dealing with major PTSD. Even though she’s successful, she’s haunted by visions of Simone in every mirror. Goodwin plays that high-functioning anxiety so well. You really feel for her because she’s worked so hard to rebuild herself, only to have the past literally crawl back into her living room.
K. Michelle as Bebe
K. Michelle is back as the loyal best friend, and honestly, we all need a Bebe in our lives. She’s Monica’s support system, but she gets her own little side plot this time around involving some tension (and then maybe less tension) with Monica’s boss.
New Faces and Key Supporting Cast
The sequel expanded the world quite a bit, moving the setting from the original location to the rainy, tech-heavy vibes of Seattle. This meant a bunch of new characters had to fill out the Gold Network newsroom.
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- Morgan Alexandria (Layla Clinton): Layla is Monica’s makeup artist and a pivotal part of the new "trap" Simone sets. Because Layla grew up in foster care and has trust issues, she’s the perfect target for Simone to manipulate. Watching their friendship develop while knowing Simone’s true identity is like watching a slow-motion car crash.
- Christine Horn (Kendyl Rouse): She plays the tough-as-nails station manager at the Gold Network. At first, she seems like just another corporate hurdle for Monica, but she ends up being a much more complex character, especially as she interacts more with Bebe.
- Kendrick Cross (Trevor Williams): Every thriller needs a love interest who might be too good to be true. Kendrick Cross plays Trevor, a detective who recently solved a big stalking case and catches Monica’s eye.
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team
You can't talk about the cast of Single Black Female 2 Simone's Revenge film without mentioning the people who actually staged the chaos. Shari L. Carpenter returned to direct, which is probably why the sequel feels so tonally consistent with the first one. It’s got that same slick, high-contrast look that makes the jump scares hit harder.
The script was penned by Sa’Rah Jones and Tessa Evelyn Scott. They didn't just do a "rinse and repeat" of the first movie. Using amnesia as a plot device is a classic soap opera trope, but they used it here to humanize Simone just enough to make her eventual turn feel even more personal.
Why the Dynamic Still Works
Kinda surprisingly, the "cat and mouse" game between Riley and Goodwin hasn't gotten old. Most sequels fail because they just try to make the villain more "evil" without adding depth. Here, the film explores the idea of whether someone like Simone can actually change—or if some bonds are just permanently broken.
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The movie was filmed primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, though it’s set in Seattle. If you’re looking for those Pacific Northwest vibes, the production team did a decent job with the rainy B-roll, but the interior drama is pure Atlanta energy.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
If you watched the credits or have been keeping up with the trades, you might have heard whispers of a third film. Since Single Black Female 2 performed so well, Lifetime reportedly greenlit a final installment titled Single Black Female 3: The Final Chapter.
For those looking to dive deeper into the world of Monica and Simone, here are some ways to keep the momentum going:
- Rewatch the first film: A lot of the subtle digs Simone makes in the sequel reference specific moments from their first encounter that you might have missed.
- Check out "Line Sisters": If you liked Morgan Alexandria (Layla), she stars in this other Lifetime thriller that has a very similar "secrets from the past" vibe.
- Follow the leads on social: Amber Riley and Raven Goodwin often post "behind the scenes" clips that show they are actually great friends in real life, which makes their on-screen rivalry even more impressive.
The ending of the film leaves Monica in a place where she has to decide if she’s going to be a victim forever or finally take control of the narrative. It’s a dark, twisty journey that proves the Single Black Female series is more than just a remake of 90s tropes—it’s a powerhouse of Black-led psychological horror.