https://www.essence.com/celebrity/issa-rae-responds-petition-jay-ellis-character-lawrence-back-insecure

It’s been a week since it was officially announced that Jay Ellis’ character, Lawrence, won’t be returning to season three of Issa Rae’s HBO hit sitcom Insecure and fans still have something to say about the news.

On Monday, the Emmy-nominated actress and show creator shared a few of her thoughts and feelings about a petition circulating on the internet to bring the fictional character back to the screen when the show returns in August for Season 3. 

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“Sign our petition to HBO pleading for Jay Ellis to return as Lawrence–then SHARE far and wide so that everyone who loves Lawrence can have their voice heard,” wrote a fan for an actual website, WHERESLAWRENCE.com. “We want Lawrence back!”

The post, which was sponsored on Facebook, was brought to Rae’s attention and her response was of course, hilarious. 

“Wow. A sponsored post, though? Like… money was spent?,” the 33-year-old said. 

Other Insecure stars chimed in on the hilarity of the Where’s Lawrence campaign, including fellow actress Yvonne Orji and showrunner Prentice Penny. 

“Funds. (And a website).” #WeLoveLawrenceToo,” wrote Orji who stars opposite Rae’s character as her best friend Molly, while Penny facetiously responded, “I got five on it.” 

Rae confirmed to Vulture in July that Ellis wouldn’t be returning to the show after their characters shared a heartbreaking post-breakup goodbye at the end of season two. That goodbye, Rae said, was final–and for good reason. 

“We want to stay as true to life as possible. They had a great conversation at the end of season two and it was just about like, hey, she’s moving on Daniel, sometimes we have those conversations,” she said. “You never see the exes again. And it’s okay! You gotta explore life without Lawrence.”

Sorry, #LawrenceHive, the powers that be have spoken…again.

​​​​​​Insecure returns for season three on HBO, August 12.