NBC just dropped the official trailer for Stumble. The upcoming sitcom is poised to fill the cheer-shaped gap left by one of the most beloved cheer series of all time. The series follows Courteney Potter (Jenn Lyon), a veteran coach who is just one win away from becoming the most successful coach in college cheerleading history. Her career seems untouchable—until she’s abruptly fired from her prestigious position at Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College.
Suddenly out of work, Courteney accepts a job at Heådltston College, a small, unremarkable school with a cheer program in disarray. Determined to rebuild both her reputation and the team, she takes on the challenge of turning a mismatched group of hopefuls into a competitive squad.
A Familiar Spirit With a Fresh Take
Stumble carries the same sharp humor and competitive energy that made Bring It On a cultural touchstone back in 2000. NBC has set the series for a November 7 premiere. When it does debut, though, it promises to revive the mix of comedy and cheer that audiences have missed for years.
Bring It On was the first mainstream look at the intensity of competitive cheerleading, balancing its athleticism with a sense of wit and self-awareness. Its memorable one-liners and pop-culture impact—yes, including “spirit fingers”—cemented its cult-classic status.
Like its predecessor, Stumble finds humor in the pressure of perfection and the unlikely bonds forged along the way. And as a series rather than a single film, it will have the space to explore its characters more deeply and deliver even more moments of comedy and chaos set in the world of junior college cheerleading.
An All-Star Cast
Leading the series is Jenn Lyon as Courteney Potter, the disgraced cheer coaching legend. She’s joined by Taran Killam as her supportive, slightly clueless husband Boon E. Potter, a football coach from her previous school now acting as her personal cheerleader in every sense.
Their new cheer squad is a lovable group of misfits, each bringing quirks and challenges to the mat:
- Ryan Pinkston plays Stevie, Courteney’s former star athlete who re-enrolls in college in his 30s to relive his cheer glory days.
- Jarrett Austin Brown is Dimarcus, a showboating football player with undeniable backflip skills—and questionable team spirit.
- Anissa Borrego stars as Krystal, Courteney’s cheerlebrity flyer who must choose between loyalty to her coach and staying behind at her old school.
- Arianna Davis plays Madonna, nicknamed “Donna,” a high-energy flyer whose narcolepsy adds unpredictable chaos mid-tumble.
- Taylor Dunbar appears as Peaches, a genius-level kleptomaniac with a criminal past and natural athletic talent.
- Georgie Murphy plays Sally, a foster kid turned cheer hopeful who embodies positivity despite her tough background.
Broadway and TV icon Kristin Chenoweth joins in a recurring role as Tammy Istiny, Courteney’s former assistant turned competitive rival. Tammy’s new power position and fragile ego set the stage for some of the show’s most hilarious and tense face-offs.
Adding real cheer credibility, the cast also features top athletes from the competitive scene including Kory Little, Tatiyahna Davis, Zach LeMunyon, AJ Blankenship, and Hailey Smith—all of whom bring authentic stunting, baskets, and tumbling to the screen.
Read More: All the Guest Stars Appearing on Stumble, NBC’s New Cheerleading Sitcom
It’s Been a Long Time Since a Cheer Comedy
Scripted shows about cheerleading have been rare in the past decade, and most have leaned toward drama or documentary rather than humor. The last major attempt to capture the cheer world on television was The CW’s Hellcats, which aired from 2010 to 2011 and starred Aly Michalka and Ashley Tisdale.
Hellcats earned a passionate following for its athletic routines and realistic look at the pressures of college cheer. But despite solid performances and genuine spirit, the show struggled with ratings and high production costs, leading to its cancellation after just one season. For many fans, it ended before it ever had the chance to hit its stride.
Fourteen years later, Stumble now steps into that empty space—bringing with it the promise of the humor, energy, and authenticity that cheer fans have been waiting for.
Authenticity at the Core
NBC is taking major steps to ensure Stumble captures the real world of cheerleading with accuracy and respect. The network has brought on Monica Aldama, the former head coach of Navarro College and breakout star of Netflix’s hit docuseries Cheer, to help infuse the show with genuine cheer insight as an Executive Producer.
When Cheer premiered on Netflix in 2020, it became an instant global phenomenon. The two-season documentary followed Aldama and her Navarro College cheer team from Corsicana, Texas, as they prepared for the NCA College National Championship in Daytona Beach. It offered an unfiltered look into the discipline, sacrifice, and emotional resilience required in competitive cheerleading—while spotlighting the unmatched athleticism and teamwork that define the sport.
The series was praised for its authenticity and emotional storytelling, capturing the physical intensity and mental dedication behind the sport. Across its two seasons (2020 and 2022), Cheer earned six Emmy Awards and forever changed how mainstream audiences viewed cheerleading—elevating it from a sideline activity to a demanding, world-class sport.
Now, with Aldama consulting on Stumble, NBC is signaling its commitment to that same level of authenticity—even within a scripted, comedic format.
Joining Aldama is Dahlston Delgado, a respected cheer choreographer known throughout the industry for his dynamic routines and technical precision. The cast will also feature appearances from well-known cheer athletes, including Kory Little, Tatiyahna Davis, Zach LeMunyon, AJ Blankenship, and Hailey Smith—all of whom bring real stunting, tumbling, and baskets to the screen. No other scripted show has ever brought this level of real cheer experience to television, and it’s clear that Stumble intends to represent the sport with both accuracy and heart.
Adding to the show’s unique behind-the-scenes story, the pilot episode was filmed in Atlanta, while the rest of Season One is currently filming in New York City.
Leading the cast is Jenn Lyon (Claws), who stars as Courteney Potter, a once-celebrated coach determined to rebuild her legacy. She’s joined by Taran Killam (Saturday Night Live), who plays Boone E. Potter, and an ensemble that includes Ryan Pinkston, Jarrett Austin Brown, Anissa Borrego, Arianna Davis, Taylor Dunbar, and Georgie Murphy.
Together, the cast brings a blend of comedic timing and relatable humanity to the world of collegiate cheer.
Jenn Lyon plays Courteney Potter, tied as the winningest coach in junior college cheer history. After being fired from Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College for partying with her squad, she’s determined to rebuild her reputation at Headltston.
Taran Killam co-stars as Boon E. Potter, Courteney’s husband and former football coach. Now he’s her rock as she attempts to transform her new cheer team.
Kristin Chenoweth appears as Tammy Istiny, Courteney’s emotional former assistant coach turned cutthroat rival.
Ryan Pinkston is Stevie, Courteney’s former star cheerleader who returns to college in his 30s to compete one last time.
Jarrett Austin Brown plays Dimarcus, a flamboyant quarterback known for his unsportsmanlike conduct and epic backflips.
Anissa Borrego is Krystal, a star flyer and “cheerlebrity” who must decide whether to follow Courteney or stay behind.
Arianna Davis stars as Madonna (aka Donna), a skilled tumbler who occasionally passes out mid-backflip due to narcolepsy.
Taylor Dunbar plays Peaches, a genius-level kleptomaniac whose athleticism makes her a valuable asset to the squad.
Georgie Murphy plays Sally, a foster kid with relentless positivity and natural spirit.
Guest Stars Bringing the Extras
Stumble also boasts a sharp guest cast to round out the cheer chaos:
- Jeff Hiller (Somebody Somewhere) plays Augustus, the eccentric owner of the town’s Candy Button factory and biggest financial backer.
- Ashlie Atkinson (The Gilded Age) is Miss Dot, an off-the-books school nurse with a knack for odd jobs.
- Dascha Polanco (Orange Is the New Black) portrays Krystal’s mom, co-CEO of the family-run Krystal Enterprises.
- Busy Philipps (Girls5eva) plays Vicky, Peaches’ no-nonsense older sister and de facto guardian.
- Sean Kaufman (The Summer I Turned Pretty) appears as a shy football player who catches Sally’s attention.
- Alfredo Narcisco (Manifest) rounds out the Krystal Enterprises duo as Krystal’s father and business co-manager.
- Kristin Chenoweth (Recurring) continues as Tammy Istiny, Courteney’s high-strung former assistant coach turned rival.
The Team Behind the Spirit
The series is created and written by Liz Astrof, whose previous work includes The Conners and 2 Broke Girls. Astrof told Cheer Daily, “Your coverage of the show on Cheer Daily means everything to us!! I hope we make you proud…. we are so obsessed with cheer!!!”
Her enthusiasm mirrors the spirit of Stumble itself—deeply affectionate toward the world of cheerleading, while unafraid to laugh at its quirks.
Cheerleading stories often highlight the athleticism and high stakes of the sport, but Stumble aims to remind viewers that it can also be funny, heartfelt, and a little absurd. With its blend of humor, real cheer expertise, and genuine respect for the athletes who make the sport shine, Stumble could become a defining cheerleading series for a new generation.
Don’t miss the premiere of Stumble on NBC this fall. Stay connected with Cheer Daily for exclusive features and updates as the series brings cheerleading back to prime time.
