What Mindy Kaling’s Recurring Role as a Gambling-App CEO Adds to Running Point Season 3
Mindy Kaling joins Running Point Season 3 as Divya, a gambling-app CEO set against Kate Hudson's Isla, as Hudson makes her television directing debut.
On Oct. 19, 2026, TheWrap reported that Mindy Kaling is joining the third season of Netflix’s Running Point in a recurring role. TVLine’s casting item is updated the same day. Netflix’s season page lists Kaling in the cast as the only newly announced name.
Divya is the chief executive of a popular gambling app and a thorn in the plans of Isla, the lead character played by Kate Hudson. Hudson also stars in the show and is an executive producer. The casting adds a character described as a thorn in Isla’s plans.
Who Divya Is in Season 3
Divya is set against Isla, the lead character Kate Hudson plays, as a leader in a male-dominated field. She is described as an outspoken and confident leader who runs a popular gambling app. TVLine says both women are the first female leaders in their male-dominated field, but that their similarities end there.
The reports describe Divya’s effect on Isla. TVLine says Divya becomes a thorn in Isla’s plans all season. TheWrap says Divya quickly becomes a thorn in Isla’s side. Both reports describe Divya in relation to Isla.
The reports describe Divya as a recurring character in Season 3.
Season 3 Status
Netflix has not announced a release date for Season 3. Filming is underway in Los Angeles, and Kate Hudson will direct the first episode.
What the Role Means for Kaling
Kaling’s title is described differently across the reports. Variety’s headline calls her the show’s co-creator, and TVLine says she co-created the show and executive produces it. TheWrap describes her as a writer and executive producer and says she will also star in Season 3.
The reports name others on the writing and producing side. Variety lists David Stassen, who also showruns, and Ike Barinholtz among Kaling’s co-writers and executive producers. TheWrap says Stassen showran Season 2. Variety also lists Howard Klein, Jeanie Buss and Linda Rambis as executive producers, alongside Hudson.
Variety reports that Kaling and Stassen both have overall deals with Warner Bros. Television. Variety and TheWrap say the series is produced by Kaling International in association with Warner Bros. Television.
TheWrap says Kaling will no longer just be a writer and executive producer.
Kate Hudson’s Directing Debut on Season 3
Kate Hudson will direct the first episode of Season 3. Variety and TVLine both describe it as her television directing debut. TVLine calls that episode the season premiere.
Hudson also stars as Isla and is an executive producer, according to Variety. Netflix’s season page says she steps behind the camera for Episode 1.
TheWrap lists Hudson’s earlier directing credit as the 2007 short Cutlass, which she also wrote. The short was part of Glamour’s Reel Moments series, starred Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Chevy Chase and Kurt Russell, and was nominated for Best Narrative Short at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.
Netflix’s season page also says Hudson directs Episode 1, which it describes as her television directorial debut.
Production and Cast Status
Netflix’s season page says Season 3 has started production, and that production officially kicks off in Los Angeles. Variety and TVLine report the same location. TheWrap places the season among several Netflix projects shooting in the city, including One Hundred Percent, Poser, Season 4 of Monster, Season 5 of The Lincoln Lawyer and Season 2 of Forever.
Netflix lists 13 confirmed cast members, including Hudson, Justin Theroux and Ray Romano. TheWrap lists Hudson, Kaling, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur, Brenda Song, Fabrizio Guido, Chet Hanks, Toby Sandeman and Theroux among the main cast. It lists Romano, Uche Agada, Ken Marino and Jay Ellis as recurring.
Netflix has not announced a release date for Season 3. TVLine reports the same status.
Divya is set against Isla, the lead character Kate Hudson plays, as a leader in a male-dominated field.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Not
The casting was reported on Oct. 19, 2026, by TheWrap and TVLine. TheWrap’s report is timed 11:00 a.m., and TVLine’s item carries an update time of 2:41 p.m. EST on the same day. Variety’s version is dated Oct. 20 on Variety Australia and was adapted from Variety US.
The Oct. 19 date appears in TheWrap and TVLine reports, and Netflix’s season page, dated Oct. 19, 2026, lists Kaling in the cast.
The reports give no episode count for Season 3 and no storyline for Divya beyond becoming a thorn in Isla’s plans.
Running Point’s Premise and Viewing Figures
Running Point follows Isla, a former party girl and college dropout who is unexpectedly put in charge of her family’s professional basketball team, the Los Angeles Waves, according to Variety. The Netflix page describes Isla as a reformed party girl who must prove herself as a businesswoman.
Season 2 picks up as the franchise recovers from a scandal the previous year. Variety says Isla wants to prove she is more than a placeholder for her brother Cam, played by Theroux, who is quietly working to reclaim his role. The Netflix page says Season 2 has 10 episodes and that Cam leaves rehab early and schemes against Isla.
A Netflix page gives Feb. 27 as the premiere date, and TheWrap says the series premiered in February 2025. TheWrap says the series reached the top of Netflix’s Global Top 10 English-language list, and that Season 1 ranked in the Top 10 in 89 countries and was among Netflix’s top 15 shows in the first half of 2025.
TheWrap says Season 2 was less well received and placed in the Top 10 in 82 countries. It puts total views across both seasons at more than 75 million.
