The Chair On Netflix Facts That You Haven’t Heard Before

The Chair is the critically acclaimed Netflix series that premiered in 2021 revolving around the challenges and complexities faced by Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh), the newly appointed Chair of the English department at a prestigious university. Through its thought-provoking narrative, The Chair explores themes of identity, generational divides, academic politics, and the pressures of maintaining relevance in a changing world.

Sandra Oh takes on the lead role of Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim, a brilliant and passionate academic who becomes the first woman and person of colour to hold the position of department chair. The ensemble cast also includes Jay Duplass as Bill Dobson, a respected and somewhat jaded professor who forms a mentor-mentee relationship with Dr. Kim. Nana Mensah portrays Dr. Yaz McKay, a charismatic and outspoken professor with a strong social media presence. Holland Taylor takes on the role of Joan Hambling, a seasoned professor facing retirement and reflecting on her career.

The Chair has resonated with audiences due to its engaging storytelling, combined with nuanced performances as it offers a compelling exploration of the complexities and systemic issues within academia. 

Our The Chair (Netflix) facts include which producer had a prestigious academic background, which colleges were used to portray Pembroke and how the series has a Game of Thrones connection.

1. The Chair Was Written By Two Female Showrunners

The Chair is a comedy-drama that was created by Amanda Peet and Annie Julia Wyman. It is set in the fictional Pembroke University, located in a region that resembles New England. The series premiered on Netflix on August 20, 2021, but unfortunately, it was cancelled after its first season in January 2023.

Peet also served as an executive producer, along with David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Bernie Caulfield, Daniel Gray Longino, and Sandra Oh. 

2. Two Pennsylvania Colleges Were Used To Depict Pembroke University

To depict Pembroke University, the production utilised Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, and the Shadyside campus of Chatham University in Pittsburgh. The Shadyside neighbourhood stood in for the fictional town of Pembroke.

3. Rotten Tomatoes Rates The Chair As 6.9/10

On Rotten Tomatoes, The Chair holds an approval rating of 86% based on 69 critic reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. 

The website's critical consensus states, "The Chair is too short to achieve all of its ambitions, but spot-on observations about academia and a sturdy ensemble led by an empathetic—and hilarious—performance from Sandra Oh ensure it's never less than watchable." 

4. Annie Wyman, The Chair Creator, Attended Harvard University

One interesting aspect of The Chair is that Annie Wyman, co-creator and co-writer, had an academic background herself. She earned a PhD in English literature from Harvard University, adding an authentic perspective to the storytelling. 

5. Other Producers On The Chair Went To Prestigious Organisations

Executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss crossed paths while pursuing Master's degrees in Irish literature at Trinity College Dublin. Each of them later obtained MFAs in creative writing from different institutions, with Benioff attending the University of California, Irvine, and Weiss studying at the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop, located at the University of Iowa. 

6. David Duchovny Went To Yale University

David Duchovny, who makes an appearance as a fictionalised version of himself in the show, holds a Master's degree in English literature from Yale University. He also began but never completed a PhD program at the same institution.

7. Amanda Peet Is Good Friends With Sarah Paulson And Holland Taylor

Amanda Peet, the co-creator of The Chair, shares a close friendship with actress Sarah Paulson. Their bond dates back to when they worked together on the short-lived WB TV series "Jack & Jill" in 1999. 

They also co-starred on the underappreciated show "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" in 2006. 

In "The Chair," Peet, in her role as a showrunner, cast Sarah Paulson's real-life partner, Holland Taylor, to portray Professor Joan Hambling.

8. Netflix Announced The Series With A Mock Up Student Newspaper

Netflix announced the release date of The Chair on Twitter with a mocked-up student newspaper. It read, "Pull up a seat and meet The Chair, a new comedy starring @IamSandraOh and created by Amanda Peet. Premieres August 27."

9. The Chair Was Produced By The Creators Of Game Of Thrones

Alongside Amanda Peet, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are Executive Producers of The Chair. They are the creators of Game Of Thrones and David Benioff is Amanda Peet’s husband. 

Thanks for reading "The Chair On Netflix Facts That You Haven’t Heard Before" on January Media.