This new Nike and Wieden+Kennedy Portland project, an eight-episode original series called Margot vs Lily, debuted its first installment titled “Resolutions” online today (Feb. 1). Subsequent episodes will premiere each Monday of the following seven consecutive weeks.
Produced by RSA Films, the series follows the journey of a fitness-obsessed YouTube star named Lily and her exercise-averse party girl sister, Margot. Every Monday, viewers can watch an episode of the show along with Lily’s latest fitness blog, which walks viewers through a workout. It’s entertainment with a built-in invitation to exercise.
Throughout the eight-episode season, Margot and Lily learn to find a balance between exercise and a social life. A true transformation of walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.
Filmmaker Alfonso Gomez-Rejon is a co-creator (with author Jesse Andrews) and an EP of the series, with episodes directed by Tricia Brock (Girls, Mr. Robot, Silicon Valley, Mozart in the Jungle).
In this first episode, the sisters return home for the holidays on tense terms. 24-year-old Margot has just been fired from her job, while 22-year-old Lily’s YouTube channel “LilyNinja” is more successful than ever. Lily prioritizes fitness over friends, while Margot has a robust social circle and little interest in sport. On New Year’s Eve, tensions boil over and the sisters make a bet.
Margot vs. Lily is connected to the “Better For It” Nike initiative. The show and initiative serve as a celebration of athletes. “It’s about personal growth and pushing yourself to be your best,” said Kerri Hoyt-Pack, VP of global brand marketing for NikeWomen and Women’s Training. “This message embodies a relatable range of human experiences and emotion – from self-confidence to self-doubt – that women encounter with sport and fitness. Being ‘Better For It’ doesn’t mean accomplishing an unbelievable feat; it means being bold enough to take on a personal challenge, like the characters Margot and Lily do.”
Lily is portrayed by Samantha Marie Ware while the part of Margot is played by Brigette Lundy-Paine.