Issa Rae Teases Finale Season of Insecure and Talks of Future Projects

At the end of its fourth season, Insecure left many of its characters’ fates — and relationships — in limbo. Issa Rae, the producer and star of the HBO comedy has teased that the show’s fifth and final season will address burning questions and contain even more unexpected plot twists.

Rae tells PEOPLE that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic inspired the plotline of Insecure’s final season.

“They’re asking themselves, ‘Are we going to be okay?’ Because so much happened last season in their lives,” she says. “We thought they would be faced with this question of despair, and that question will motivate them throughout the season.”

Insecure, which debuted in 2016, includes Jay Ellis, Alexander Hodge, Amanda Seales, and Natasha Rothwell. The series follows best friends Issa (Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji) as they attempt to navigate the complicated professional and personal landscape of Los Angeles.

She says she’s most excited for fans to see Molly’s character grow over the course of the final season, but she won’t give anything away. Season 5 has already started filming, and the show will premiere later in 2021.

Rae’s schedule has been jam-packed with other film and television projects, as well as a new collaboration with LIFEWTR to help diverse creators in the arts.

She says she’s most excited for fans to see Molly’s character grow over the course of the final season, but she won’t give anything away. Season 5 has already started filming, and the show will premiere later in 2021.

Rae’s schedule has been jam-packed with other film and television projects, as well as a new collaboration with LIFEWTR to help diverse creators in the arts.

LIFEWTR’s “Life Unseen” campaign has chosen 20 artists to design labels for its bottles and is holding a contest (now through July 30) for artists to win a chance to exhibit their work, earn mentorship from Rae, and $10,000 to finance potential ventures. Also, LIFEWTR collaborated with the Institute for Quantitative Study of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (QSIDE) to investigate representational gaps in the film, fashion, music, and the visual arts.

They’re looking for artists that are enthusiastic and unique, as well as those who are interested in “opening the door for others down the road because it’s important to inspire the next generation and show people that they can have the same opportunities,” according to Rae.

Following Insecure’s conclusion, Rae will concentrate on creating TV projects for HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. as part of a new five-year contract she recently signed with WarnerMedia.

Rap Sh*t, an eight-episode comedy series, follows “the female rapper moment we’re having in history right now, and [serves as] commentary on the culture,” as Rae describes.

Above all, Rae says she wants to keep creating material that she can enjoy on her own time.

“I had a moment where I decided I’m going to create all the shows that I want to see, all the worlds I want to see,” she says. “Now, I have the opportunity to collaborate with people I’m fans of to do just that…and that’s a dream come true.”