Issa Rae and Jay Ellis Still Have ‘Magical’ Chemistry as the ‘Insecure’ Stars Reunite

Jay Ellis and Issa Rae's relationship on 'Insecure' made them one of TV’s most talked-about couples. Off-screen, they still share a close friendship.

On HBO’s hit show Insecure, Issa Rae and Jay Ellis portrayed the complex relationship between Issa Dee and Lawrence Walker. Their on-screen chemistry was a cornerstone of the series, capturing the ups and downs of a modern romance. Three years after the five-season show concluded, Rae joined Ellis to celebrate the launch of his book, Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?: Adventures in Boyhood. Fans loved seeing the pair reunite, especially since the chemistry was still there.

Insecure received critical acclaim since its debut in 2016. Based on Rae’s web series Awkward Black Girl, the show made stars out of Rae, Ellis, and Yvonne Orji. In 2018, Ellis won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Rae received three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

From awkward encounters to moments of deep connection, Ellis and Rae’s portrayal resonated with viewers, making them one of TV’s most talked-about couples. Off-screen, Rae and Ellis share a close friendship that further fueled their dynamic performances. Both actors have spoken about the trust and camaraderie they developed, which translated into authentic and heartfelt scenes.

Naturally, Rae was on hand for Ellis’s book launch at Inglewood, California’s Miracle Theater on August 13. The duo discussed the 42-year-old’s “hilarious and touching” memoir, Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?: Adventures in Boyhood.

As African American bookstore Malik Books describes, Ellis shares “his unforgettable journey growing up with an imaginary best friend, blending elements of Dwayne Wayne from A Different World and Will Smith from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Published by Penguin Randomhouse imprint, One World, Mindy Kaling describes Ellis’s memoir as “so funny, poignant, and person. I loved this, and you will, too.”

Seeing Rae and Ellis together reminded fans of the chemistry they brought to the screen and the mutual respect they share in real life. Since Insecure’s 2021 finale, both actors have experienced great success in Hollywood and beyond. The same year Ellis wed his longtime love, Serbian model Nina Seničar, he appeared in mega-hit Top Gun: Maverick as Lieutenant Reuben “Payback” Fitch. Since then, the South Carolina native celebrated the birth of a son, Noa. He also appeared in two more movies, Amazon Prime’s Somebody I Used to Know and action comedy Freaky Tales.

Issa Rae saw her already successful entertainment career explode as Insecure wrapped. The 39-year-old appeared in several films, including mystery thriller Vengeance, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and critically acclaimed American Fiction. Perhaps her most high-profile role to date, Rae portrayed President Barbie in Barbie. The hit comedy became the highest-grossing film of 2023 and the highest-grossing film ever released by Warner Bros. She also wed her longtime boyfriend, businessman Louis Diame, in France in July 2021.