BY: Jasmine Franklin
Published 1 week ago
The long-running legal battle over the hit show “P-Valley” has officially come to an end. After years of back-and-forth in court, the Supreme Court declined to review R&B singer Nicci Gilbert’s case against Lionsgate and Starz. Gilbert had claimed the series, which premiered in 2020, copied elements of her work without permission. With the Court’s decision, the lower court ruling against her stands, closing the case and allowing the show to move forward without further legal obstacles.
Details of the Lawsuit and Court Rulings
According to Them, Gilbert filed the lawsuit in 2022, arguing that “P-Valley” closely resembled her 2011 stage musical, “Soul Kittens Cabaret.” She alleged that the producers copied her material after she pitched the musical to Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer in 2014, providing scripts and a DVD. Gilbert claimed that the similarities were significant and that the creators had knowingly used her work when developing the series.
However, in December 2023, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson ruled in favor of Lionsgate and Starz. Gilbert appealed, but in December 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected her claim.
“Many of the purported similarities between the works are based on unprotectable elements such as generic plot devices … familiar stock scenes and themes … or scènes à faire that ‘flow naturally’ from the basic premise of dancers or performers at a cabaret or exotic dancing venue,” the panel said, per Courthouse News Service.
The panel continued: “There are abundant dissimilarities in the respective works’ plots, themes, dialogue, moods, paces, characters, and settings. What remains after filtering out the unprotectable elements consists of ‘random similarities scattered throughout the works.'”
By declining to hear Gilbert’s final appeal, the Supreme Court effectively ends the litigation. This decision provides clarity for the series’ creative team and removes the uncertainty that had hung over the show for several years.
Next Steps for the Series
With the legal issues behind them, both the creative team and viewers can turn their attention to the show itself. “P-Valley” has not aired since 2022, even though Starz renewed it for two more seasons. Production was delayed during the Hollywood writers’ strike, leaving fans eager for updates.
In early September, co-executive producer Patrik-Ian Polk offered one. He confirmed that post-production for the upcoming season is complete and hinted that the show could return in 2026.
They finished Post Production this week! I’m hearing 2026! It will be well worth the wait! #PValley https://t.co/eDlNCL5bCR
— Patrik-Ian Polk (@PatrikIanPolk) September 7, 2025
“They finished post-production this week! I’m hearing 2026! It will be well worth the wait! #PValley,” Polk tweeted.
His update reassures fans that the series’ comeback is on track and that the stories of The Pynk’s dancers will continue. Since its debut, “P-Valley” has been praised for its writing, performances, and layered portrayal of Black Southern womanhood and the LGBTQIA+ experience. With the lawsuit resolved, the team can now continue exploring those stories without interruption.
The Supreme Court’s ruling not only ends a drawn-out legal battle, but it also clears the path for “P-Valley’s” creative future. With post-production wrapped, anticipation builds for a long-awaited return to The Pynk, where ambition, survival, and community collide once again.
