30 Best Black TV Shows to Add to Your Watch List
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With sexy drama-filled programs like Katori Hall's P-Valley—an insiders look into a Mississippi strip club called The Pynk—or depictions of strong families and friendships such as those on Queen Sugar, Black-ish, and Insecure, or even groundbreaking period dramas like The Underground Railroad or Lovecraft Country, a diverse offering of shows is finally on the rise. While Hollywood still has a long way to go when it comes to equal representation both behind the camera and on-screen, we can't get enough of what the industry has produced so far—and this is just the beginning. So if you're craving addictive content across multiple genres and that's also representative of the Black community, these are the best Black TV series to stream right now. They're each making inclusion a priority.
P-Valley
Penned by showrunner and Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall, P-Valley gives us a close look at the lives of those who work at, and patron, a strip club named the The Pynk. Set in the fictional Mississippi Delta town of Chucalissa, this breakout Starz hit features gravity-defying pole dance routines, an impressive original soundtrack, plenty of drama to go around, and the fabulous club owner Uncle Clifford—who's reason enough to tune in. Just three episodes into season 1, the series was renewed for season 2, which will be released in 2022.
The Underground Railroad
Adapted from Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize winning novel (which was also an Oprah's Book Club pick) this Barry Jenkins-directed period drama follows runaway slave Cora as she flees toward freedom on the underground railroad. But a notorious slave tracker makes their already harrowing journey even more daunting. Since the show was billed as a miniseries, it's unlikely we'll get a season 2—but you never know in Hollywood.
Watchmen
Not long after Watchmen's finale in 2019, fans were hit with the disappointing news that season 1 would be its first and only iteration of the show. But that hasn't stopped us from obsessing over the Emmy-winning series. Starring Regina King (Angela Abar) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, the show is based on the beloved DC superhero comics of the same name. It takes places in an alternate reality in Tulsa, Oklahoma in which the police force wears masks as they fight a white supremacist group called the Seventh Kavalry—redefining vigilantism as we know it as Angela uncovers the intriguing history of superheroes past.
Lovecraft Country
Yet another critically acclaimed show that's been limited to just one season, HBO's Lovecraft Country—based on the Matt Ruff novel of the same name—was a unique mix of a period drama, sci-fi, and horror series that offered searing social commentary on race in America. Set in the the 1950s, it follows Atticus Freeman (Jonathan Majors), Letitia (Jurnee Smollett), and Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance), as they set out on a road trip across the Jim Crow South in search of Atticus's father—encountering terrorizing monsters along the way.
All American
Beginning its fourth season on October 25, the CW sports drama—inspired by the life of former NFL player Spencer Paysinger—tells the story of Spencer James, a promising high school quarterback who transfers from school in South Crenshaw to another in Beverly Hills (moving in with the coach to boot) in order to better his chances of becoming a professional football player.
First Wives Club
A remake of the of the 1996 film, this hit BET+ series has just been renewed for a third season. Starring Ryan Michelle Bathe, Jill Scott, and Michelle Buteau, it follows a group of friends who bond over their failed marriages—and a little bit of revenge.
I May Destroy You
Many named 2020's I May Destroy You, one of the best shows of the year. The celebrated HBO series, written by and starring Michaela Coel, follows a writer named Arabella. After she's drugged and raped by a stranger on a night out in London, the series following the young woman as she comes to terms with the assault and its affect on her reality. Unfortunately, it will not return for season 2.
David Makes Man
OWN's David Makes Man—produced by our very own Oprah—is a Peabody Award-winning coming of age drama. The first season told the story of a middle school aged David living in the South Florida projects. He's a brilliant child who, despite struggles at home, dreams of a better life as he attends a magnet school for gifted kids. The second season jumped 15 years in the future, following a David in his 30s as a businessman.
South Side
Premiering in 2019, this off-beat comedy follows two best friends post-community college graduation who are determined to live a life of success but find themselves stuck working at their local Southside, Chicago furniture rental store. It also follows the hijinks of two neighborhood cops and their attempts to police the neighborhood. Making the switch from Comedy Central, season 2 premieres on HBO Max in November 2021.
Blood & Water
In this South African Netflix drama, while at a party, a teen swimming star believes she's found her long-lost sister who was abducted at birth. Determined to figure out the truth, she transfers to the girl's elite school, uncovering more secrets than she bargained for. Season 2 premieres September 24.
Run the World
A group of Harlem girlfriends attempt to balance their ambitions as working professionals with the dramatic events of their personal lives.
Godfather of Harlem
A prequel to the 2007 film, American Gangster, this period drama series tells the story of Bumpy Johnson. He's a notorious organized crime boss, who after 10 years in prison, returns back to the streets to find his Chicago neighborhood in ruins and under the control of the Italian mob in the 1960s.
Insecure
Any TV show with a soundtrack like HBO’s Insecure is worth adding to your queue. But beyond discovering great new tunes, Insecure is the best half-hour you’ll spend with a group of girlfriends. Made up of resident funny women Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Natasha Rothwell, and Amanda Seales, the relatable comedy explores their relationships and careers in Los Angeles, putting Black women and their complexities at the forefront. Unfortunately, this fall marks its fifth and final season.
Pose
This groundbreaking critically acclaimed drama series dove into 1980s New York City ball culture chronicling the triumphs and tribulations of those in the LGBTQ community. The show itself is known for having the largest cast ever of LGBTQ characters in a scripted series.
Black-ish
ABC’s popular comedy features Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jenifer Lewis. Though the first few seasons focused Anderson and Ross’s characters getting their four kids ready to navigate the real world as Black adults, more recent episodes have tackled heavier topics like divorce, politics, and racism. Sure, the Johnson family brings the laughs, but they’re also a positive reminder that you can achieve success and wealth and still not forget your humble beginnings.
Chewing Gum
In this series, Michaela Coel stars as Tracey Gordon, a 24-year-old virgin who is raised in an extremely religious household. When she's finally ready to embrace her sexuality, she summons up the alluring power of Beyoncé to seduce her boyfriend. And from there, the British comedy takes its audience on a joyride through Tracey's crazy exploits and journey to self-discovery.
Atlanta
Much of the hype surrounding this dark comedy is centered on the brilliant performance of Donald Glover, who plays the down-and-out Earnest “Earn” Marks. The praise and subsequent Emmy wins are definitely warranted, but what makes FX’s Atlanta one of the best shows on television, besides its realistic portrayal of the Georgia capital, is the fact that it has an equally impressive supporting cast. The characters manage to turn even the most mundane moments into bigger conversations around social issues. And after a near four year hiatus, season 3 is set for 2022.
When They See Us
In this jarring miniseries, Ava DuVernay helmed this dramatic retelling of the story of the Central Park Five (now known as the Exonerated Five). In 1989, five young boys of color were wrongfully accused and charged with the rape of a white woman, only for the true attacker to confess 13 years after the teens were convicted and sentenced to prison.
Greenleaf
Though it took some time to find its footing, this religious-based OWN series, starring Lynn Whitfield, Merle Dandridge, and Keith David, finished out strong in 2020 with five seasons. Set in a Memphis megachurch, the Greenleaf family’s faith is tested as dark secrets are uncovered and drama surfaces. Oprah is also a series regular in the role of Aunt Mavis.
Dear White People
Created by Justin Simien, this Netflix series takes the satire of the 2014 original film and kicks it up a notch for the streaming giant. Approaching its fourth and final musical last season, we'll see the students of the fictional HBCU, Winchester, fight against the patriarchy (while balancing their chaotic social lives) one last time.
Michelle is the Culture & News Writer for OprahMag.com, where she writes about celebrities (she considers herself an expert on Beyoncé and Reese Witherspoon), plus the latest in pop-culture news, binge-worthy TV shows, and movies. The transplanted Southerner turned ambitious New Yorker lives her best life by listening to hip-hop and Pod Save America, watching The Office on repeat, quoting Oprah-isms, eating dessert before dinner, and avoiding avocado. Seriously, she doesn’t get the hype.
It should say, “Michelle is the former Culture & News Writer for Oprahmag.com...”
McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.
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