Television has always been more than an escape for me. Growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s on the South Side of Chicago, I was always thrilled to see women and girls who looked like me and reminded me of my family and friends. Series like “Moesha,” “A Different World,” “Girlfriends” and “Living Single” expanded my worldview. Representation is a powerful tool, stretching imaginations and inspiring growth and change. Interestingly, by the time I got to high school in the mid-2000s, many of these Black-led series vanished from TV altogether. Though there were some outliers, such as “Soul Food: The Series” and “The Wire,” the next time a Black woman led a dramatic series would be “Scandal” in 2012.
Since then, though, there has been a new swirl of highly successful Black-led shows like “Insecure,” “Abbott Elementary,” “Black-ish” and “Paradise.” But it’s become increasingly rare for Black stories to run for more than a season or two on streaming platforms and networks. During Black History Month, I wanted to examine some unsung Black TV shows from the past decade that were either canceled far too quickly or didn’t get the shine that they deserved — they’re in alphabetical order (except for “The 1619 Project”), not ranked. From sitcoms like BET+’s “The Ms. Pat Show” to crime dramas like HBO’s “Get Millie Black” and even beloved franchises like Peacock’s “The Best Man: The Final Chapters,” here are 32 Black-led TV shows that debuted within the past decade that deserve a second (or third) look.
The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock), 2022
Image Credit: Peacock
Nearly 25 years after “The Best Man” debuted in 1999 and almost a decade after “The Best Man Holiday,” which came out in 2013, Malcolm D. Lee said goodbye to his beloved franchise in Peacock’s “The Best Man: The Final Chapters.” The 2022 limited series picks up just following the events of “The Best Man Holiday” and Mia’s (Monica Calhoun) death due to cancer. Harper (Taye Diggs), Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), Jordan (Nia Long), Lance (Morris Chestnut), Quentin (Terrence Howard), Shelby (Melissa De Sousa), Candace (Regina Hall) and Murch (Harold Perrineau) are nowhere near as close as they once were. In a brand-new era of their lives, the eight-episode limited series follows the friends as they navigate relationships, past grievances, midlife revelations, and crossroads. It’s a series that showcases how wisdom can shift perspectives.
Black Cake (Hulu), 2023
Image Credit: Hulu
Based on Charmaine Wilkerson’s New York Times best-selling novel from 2022 and adapted for television by Marissa Jo Cerar, Hulu’s “Black Cake” is one woman’s story of survival and perseverance. The series follows Covey (Mia Issac), a 17-year-old girl who flees her motherland of Jamaica on the night of her wedding to an older, abusive man. In the present day, the estranged children of Eleanor Bennett (Chipo Chung) are summoned by attorney Charles Mitch (Glynn Turman) to go over their mother’s estate. Through a flash drive containing seven recordings, Eleanor tells her children her true origin story: She began her life as a young girl named Covey, made her way from Jamaica to the U.K., and settled on the West Coast in California. The series was unfortunately canceled despite fantastic reviews and having Oprah on board as an executive producer. While Covey’s tale is mesmerizing, it beautifully illustrates how one woman’s secrets and choices can reverberate across time, thundering into her children’s lives a generation later.
Boarders (Tubi), 2024-present
Image Credit: BBC / Studio Lambert Media Ltd
Tubi’s very first scripted series, which they acquired from BBC Three, is a moving and hilarious portrait of Black students trying their best to navigate white spaces. Created by BAFTA-nominated screenwriter Daniel Lawrence Taylor, “Boarders,” which premiered in 2024 follows five Black teens from London’s inner city who are recruited to attend the prestigious St. Gilbert’s College. Jaheim (Josh Tedeku), Leah (Jodie Campbell), Omar (Myles Kamwendo), Toby (Sekou Diaby) and Femi (Aruna Jalloh) arrive on campus for new opportunities and immediately stick out among the sea of white faces. The series, which will air its final season in March 2026, depicts how they navigate being simultaneously ostracized and objectified with humor and a bit of vengeance. Confronting racism and inequity in the U.K. head-on, the witty and sharply written show unpacks the emotional turmoil of navigating an institution that was never meant for you.
Churchy (BET+) 2024-present
Image Credit: BET+
From creator Kevin Fredericks, aka KevOnStage, BET+’s “Churchy” is a hilarious sitcom set inside a church. After he’s passed over for a leadership position at his father’s megachurch, a disenchanted Corey Carr Jr. (Fredericks) moves to a small Texas town to start a ministry of his own. However, Corey quickly learns that putting together a church, especially with his hodgepodge crew, isn’t as seamless as he would’ve hoped. From funerals to marital counseling, Corey navigates his new role with humor and a great deal of heart.
Demascus (Tubi), 2025
Image Credit: Courtesy of Jace Downs/AMC
Created by playwright Tearrance Arvelle Chisholm, “Demascus” is a genre-bending sci-fi comedy. Set in an alternate reality, the 2025 limited series follows 33-year-old Demascus (Okieriete Onaodowan), who decides to use his Jesus year to begin therapy. When his therapist, Dr. Bonnetville (Janet Hubert), suggests he try DIRT (Digital Immersive Reality Therapy), which essentially throws the graphic artist into alternate timelines and versions of himself, he decides to go for it. From there, the audience finds Demascus everywhere, from the office to Thanksgiving dinner, in numerous code-switch-like vignettes. It’s a brilliant, fun and totally bizarre show which was rescued by Tubi after AMC ordered the series and then chose not to air it.
Diarra From Detroit (BET+), 2024-
Image Credit: Kyle Terboss/BET+
From creator Diarra Kilpatrick, BET+’s “Diarra From Detroit” is a hilarious and twisty detective mystery. The series follows Diarra (Kilpatrick), a Detroit-based schoolteacher, as she flounders amid her impending divorce. Amid bouts of insomnia and nursing her broken heart, Diarra becomes fixated on an infamous case of a missing young boy from 1995. The series uniquely highlights socioeconomic inequities, the crushing weight of divorce and the epidemic of missing Black children across this country. The show delights not just because of the intriguing whodunit at its center, but also because of its humor and Black cultural specificity. The show has been picked up for a second season, which will undoubtedly offer audiences more mystery and charm.
Fight Night (Peacock), 2024
Image Credit: Courtesy of Peacock
Based on Jeff Keating’s true-crime podcast of the same name, Peacock’s “Fight Night,” created by Shaye Ogbonna, tells the story of the real-life heist that followed Muhammad Ali’s triumphant return to the boxing ring in 1970. The 2024 limited series chronicles the heist and the lives of Atlanta hustler Chicken Man (Kevin Hart) and Atlanta’s first Black detective, J.D. Hudson (Don Cheadle), who becomes caught up in the chaos. More than just a flashback to a defining moment in Atlanta’s history that helped propel it to greatness, the series is also full of joyous characters portrayed by Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson and Terrance Howard. So many Black stories have been buried or long forgotten, but “Fight Night” unearths how amazing, fascinating and nuanced Black history continues to be.
Forever (Netflix), 2025-
Image Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Inspired by Judy Blume’s groundbreaking 1975 novel, Mara Brock Akil’s stunning teen love story is gorgeous television. Set in Los Angeles in 2018, the 2025 Netflix series follows Keisha Clark (Lovie Simone) and Justin Edwards (Michael Cooper Jr.), a track star and basketball player from opposite sides of the city. The show focuses on their blossoming romance as they navigate their intense feelings and magnetic chemistry in their final years of high school. Immensely touching and nuanced, Brock Akil offers a decadent buffet of young Black love never seen on television. A magical viewing experience, “Forever” guides audiences through euphoric love, shattering pain, and all those vulnerable, glittering first times. Though fans initially saw the show as a limited series, it did so well that Netflix renewed it for Season 2.
For Life (ABC), 2020-2021
Image Credit: ABC
From producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and based on the real life story of Isaac Wright Jr., ABC’s “For Life” chronicles the life of Aaron (Nicholas Pinnock), an incarcerated man who has dedicated his time behind bars to study the law so that he can defend others and work toward appealing his own conviction for a crime he did not commit. Driven by compelling narratives and outstanding performances, “For Life” goes beyond the typical courtroom procedural to examine the United States’ broken legal system and an increasingly sinister and inhumane penal code. The series aired in 2020, ran for two seasons and is available to stream on Hulu.
Found (NBC), 2023-2025
Image Credit: Matt Miller/NBC
Set in Washington, D.C., with showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll at the helm, “Found” ran for two seasons on NBC. The series follows public relations specialist Gabi Mosely (Shanola Hampton), who runs a crisis management firm, Mosley & Associates. However, Gabi is no Olivia Pope. Instead, she is focused on finding missing persons, namely people of color, who have been ignored and have fallen through the system’s cracks. The narrative highlights racial disparities in public attention to and resources for the missing, while illustrating who is deemed “valuable” in society. Moreover, “Found” also examines Gabi’s personal past. The show infuses Gabi’s current cases with flashbacks of 16-year-old Gabi (Azaria Carter), who was kidnapped and held captive by Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) for over a year. It’s a thought-provoking and twisted series about trauma and the line between justice and vengeance.
Genius: MLK/X (Nat Geo), 2024
Image Credit: National Geographic
Civil Rights icons Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X have been depicted endlessly in popular culture. However, Nat Geo’s 2024 limited series “Genius: MLK/X” gives audiences a unique perspective on the men behind the iconic imagery. The series chronicles the lives of both men from childhood and adolescence through the teen years and into adulthood. It highlights the moments that radicalized them, and the events that propelled them to press forward amid insurmountable odds. Still, the show stands apart by focusing on the women who stood beside Dr. King (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre). Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson) sacrificed greatly for their husbands and the Black cause. The widows’ respective work in the aftermath of their husbands’ deaths has allowed the icons’ legacies to echo across generations.
Get Millie Black (HBO), 2024
Image Credit: HBO
Created by Booker Prize-winning novelist Marlon James, HBO’s Jamaica-set mystery drama is an astonishing missing-persons case that untangles a vast web of corruption and violence stretching from Jamaica to London. The limited series follows Millie (Tamara Lawrance), a detective who leaves her role at Scotland Yard in London and returns to her hometown of Kingston in the wake of her estranged mother’s death. Though she has long been told her younger brother has died, she learns Orville is now Hibiscus (Chyna McQueen), who lives on the streets of Kingston, supporting herself through sex work. When a teenage girl, Janet Fenton (Shernet Swearine), goes missing, Millie is assigned to the case, but what she finds is a massive, complex criminal web, all the while she desperately tries to reconnect with Hibiscus. A gritty and raw portrait of Jamaica with an unnerving whodunit at the center, the series is an outstanding crime drama with profound performances.
Godfather of Harlem (MGM+), 2019- Present
Image Credit: Scott McDermott/MGM+
Set in Harlem in the 1960s, MGM+’s “Godfather of Harlem” follows real-life drug kingpin, Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker), who returns home to the Upper Manhattan neighborhood after serving a decade-long prison sentence. With the Italian mob encroaching on his once thriving drug business and the Civil Rights Movement taking shape across the country, Bumpy tries to control his volatile temper while keeping the Italians at bay, managing his family and considering the cost of going legitimate. It beautifully depicts the life of a Black crime boss of that era, but it also showcases a rapidly changing Harlem struggling to sustain its status as the Black mecca amid gentrification. A brilliant historical show, “Godfather of Harlem” also explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, family and legacy. The series, which debuted in 2019 and ran for four seasons, is currently in limbo.
How to Die Alone (Hulu) 2024
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“Insecure” star Natasha Rothwell’s witty and brutally honest dramedy “How to Die Alone” ran for only one season, but it remains one of the best in the genre. Set in New York City, the series follows Mel (Rothwell), a transportation assistant at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Though Mel is always cheerful and upbeat at work, she is, in truth, floundering from a lifetime of disappointment and insecurity. After an abysmal 35th birthday, Mel decides to reclaim her time, taking charge of her life (no matter the legal ramifications) while reflecting on her role in her own stagnation. Honest and deeply reflective, the show explores how frustrating it is to be human and what it costs to truly face yourself and your faults. Considering the show’s ratings and reviews, Rothwell was “baffled” by its cancellation and told Variety last year that she wanted shop the series elsewhere.
I’m a Virgo (Prime Video), 2023
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From eclectic creator Boots Riley, Prime Video’s “I’m a Virgo” is a surrealist critique of American capitalism told through a coming-of-age story. Set in Oakland, California, the limited series follows 19-year-old Cootie (Jharrel Jerome), a 13-foot-tall Black man raised by his Aunt Lafrancine (Carmen Ejogo) and Uncle Martisse (Mike Epps). Deeply fearful for their nephew due to his size, Cootie’s aunt and uncle have kept him indoors for his entire life — sequestered away from the racism, prejudice and gentrification that is rocking his community. However, longing for friends and connections, he ventures outside. Riley’s stunningly saturated show focuses on the displacement of underprivileged people and communities by the highly privileged and what it means to survive the unsurvivable.
Kindred (FX), 2022
Image Credit: FX
A mesmerizing and truly haunting adaptation of Octavia Butler’s iconic sci-fi novel, playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s “Kindred” deserved way more than one season. The series is set in Los Angeles in 2018, and follows aspiring TV writer Dana James (Mallori Johnson) as she settles into her new L.A. home after the death of her beloved grandmother. However, strange things begin to happen to Dana, and she finds herself violently ripped from the present and thrust into the past, to a Southern plantation in 1815. A sharp indictment of the horrors of American enslavement and its ties to our personal history, the show is a vividly disturbing, profound watch.
Lovecraft Country (HBO), 2020
Image Credit: Courtesy of Eli Joshua Ade/HBO
Though it only lasted for one season, HBO’s Emmy-award-winning “Lovecraft Country” remains one of the most compelling series ever to debut on television. Created by Misha Green, the show, which aired in 2020, follows Atticus “Tic” Freeman (Jonathan Majors), who returns to his hometown of Chicago after receiving a strange letter from his father, Montrose (the late Michael K. Williams), about their family’s hidden legacy. Emboldened by the letter and determined to find his now-missing father, Tic, along with his Uncle George (Courtney B. Vance) and an old high-school friend, Letitia “Leti” Lewis (Jurnee Smollett), set out on a journey across Jim Crow-era America. A mesmerizing and genre-bending series about the horrors of racism, that debuted amid the George Floyd protests, the show infuses everything from magic to body horror as a new way to examine American history through a distinctly Black lens.
The Ms. Pat Show (BET+), 2021-present
Image Credit: BET+
Loosely based on Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams’ memoir, “Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat,” BET+’s hilarious sitcom, “The Ms. Pat Show” follows working comedian Pat (Williams) trying to grapple with her move to conservative Indiana from her hometown of Atlanta. The show also focuses on Pat’s husband, Terry (J. Bernard Calloway), her sister, Denise (Tami Roman) and her four children. Vulgar, hilarious and witty, the series has a grit and authenticity that are rarely found in contemporary situational comedies. Moreover, instead of skirting surface-level plots and themes, the series dives deep, especially into Black culture and Pat and Denise’s sisterhood.
The Other Black Girl (Hulu), 2023
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Based on Zakiya Dalila’s best-selling novel of the same name, Hulu’s “The Other Black Girl” is a deliciously unhinged comedic thriller. The series follows two Black women living in different eras. In 1988, Kendra Rae Phillips (Cassi Maddox) is the sole Black editor at the prestigious Wagner Books in Manhattan. In the present day, editorial assistant Nella Rogers (Sinclair Daniel) is the sole Black employee at Wagner until Hazel-May McCall (Ashleigh Murray) is hired as a new editorial assistant. Though Nella is initially thrilled to connect with Hazel, admiring her boldness, their camaraderie and sisterhood begin to crumble almost as soon as it forms. Though the mystery of Hazel’s true intentions and what happened to Kendra Rae stand at the center of the series, the show also examines feelings of othering, powerlessness, microaggressions and kinship. Amid the show’s genre-bending whimsy, “The Other Black Girl” cleverly showcases the human desire to belong. It was canceled after its first season despite the shocking season finale cliffhanger.
Power Book III: Raising Kanan (Starz), 2021-
Image Credit: Starz
Set in the 1990s, “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” chronicles the rise of Kanan Stark (Mekai Curtis), the diabolical gangster made famous by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in “Power.” The mesmerizing crime drama follows Kanan through his teen years, while highlighting his tumultuous relationship with his drug queenpin mother, Raquel “Raq” Thomas (an imposing Patina Miller). “Raising Kanan” is a family drama featuring Raq’s brothers, Marvin (London Brown) and Lou-Lou (Malcolm Mays), who act as muscle and minions for Raq, as well as Kanan’s cousin Jukebox (Hailey Kilgore). The show reveals how Kanan is transformed from a carefree mama’s boy to an enraged young man who’s even willing to take his own mother out. The series, created by Sascha Penn, is a fascinating, gritty origin story that spotlights the drug game while exploring the complexities of familial dynamics. Starz has renewed the series for a fifth and final season.
P-Valley (Starz), 2020-
Image Credit: Jessica Miglio/Starz
A thrilling display of Black femininity and womanhood, there is nothing on television quite like Starz’s “P-Valley.” Created by Katori Hall, the series is set in the fictionalized Chucalissa, Mississippi, and follows the lives of the midnight ballerinas who work at The Pynk, a gritty but thriving strip club run by Uncle Clifford (Nicco Annan), the club’s warm, cutthroat non-gender-conforming owner. The series focuses mostly on the lives of Mercedes (Brandee Evans), The Pynk’s long-time headliner, and her rivalry with newcomer Autumn (Elarica Johnson). However, the show goes beyond the surface, unpacking sisterhood, past traumas and sexuality, shining a spotlight on the scars and triumphs of Black women and femmes who are often shamed and thrust toward the edges of society. The third season of “P-Valley” has already been shot, but Starz has not yet announced a premiere date.
Queenie (Hulu), 2024
Image Credit: Lionsgate
Based on Candice Carty-Williams’ bestselling debut novel of the same name, Hulu’s “Queenie” follows 25-year-old Queenie Jenkins (Dionne Brown) as she grapples with a quarter-life crisis. Set in present-day London, Queenie is floundering as her long-term relationship comes to an end. The limited series puts a spotlight on Gen Z Black women living in the U.K. and the trails of covert racism and colorism they face. What’s more, Queenie is reeling from a fractured relationship she has with her estranged mother, which has deeply affected the way she views herself, Black men and romantic partnerships. One of the few series that captures the pains and joys of being a twentysomething today, “Queenie” is one of a kind.
Rap Sh*t (HBO Max), 2022-2023
Image Credit: Alicia Vera/HBO Max
Created by Issa Rae, HBO Max’s “Rap Sh*t” follows unlikely rap duo Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion) from their viral single “Seduce & Scheme” to the perilous, treacherous state of the modern-day music industry and what it means to be young Black women looking to break through. Mia and Shawna use everything from TikTok to OnlyFans to Google Maps, presenting themselves to outsiders and showcasing how regular people can thrive, elevate and even fall amid their own myth-making and self-promotion. A textured and raw series, “Rap Sh*t” spotlights fame and notoriety, which don’t change origin stories or past traumas. The series ran for two seasons before being canceled.
Reasonable Doubt (Hulu), 2022-present
Image Credit: Disney
Raamla Mohamed’s Hulu drama “Reasonable Doubt” follows defense attorney Jax Stewart (Emayatzy Corinealdi), whose personal and professional lives begin to collide amid her strained marriage, the trauma of her teen years — and the sinister clients she represents. The soapy, engaging series showcases what’s at stake for defendants and prosecutors in high-profile criminal trials. Moreover, with its electric hip-hop soundtrack and thrilling guest stars, the show revolves around a flawed but earnest woman doing her best to ensure that every aspect of her life flows in harmony.
Solo Traveling With Tracee Ellis Ross (Roku), 2025-
Image Credit: Emily Varagones
A dazzling travel series that puts the audience up close and personal with actor/producer Tracee Ellis Ross, “Solo Traveling” showcases gasp-worth locations in Morocco, Spain and Mexico. However, it stands apart because of Ross’ vulnerability as a single Black woman traveling alone. A deeply reflective and vulnerable series about the intimacy and thrills of solo traveling, the “Blackish” star also gets candid about joy, loneliness and singleness while navigating it all on a public platform. In addition to Ross’ more emotional moments, she invites audiences to enjoy her fashion and style while presenting truly decadent cuisine, shopping experiences and landscapes. The series, which debuted in 2025, is the most-watched unscripted series in Roku history and has already been renewed for Season 2.
Supacell (Netflix), 2024-
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A bold and daring drama about Black superheroes, Netflix’s “Supacell” follows five ordinary Black Londoners who suddenly develop superpowers. Created by Rapman, the series follows Michael (Tosin Cole), who is set to propose to his long-time girlfriend, Dionne (Adelayo Adedayo). Elsewhere, Andre (Eric Kofi Abrefa) is struggling to reconnect with his son after a stint in prison, Tazer (Josh Tedeku), a small-time gang leader, is plotting revenge, Sabrina (Nadine Mills), an empathic nurse, is determined to get a promotion and Rodney (Calvin Demba), a weed dealer, is struggling to make a living. The five strangers inadvertently activate their superpowers amid everyday stressors and anxieties. “Supacell” examines how differently each person chooses to use their newfound powers as they reluctantly come together. What’s most profound about the show is its examination of the cost of our collective dependence on technology. Moreover, it depicts how individualism has caused fractures in Western societies, specifically in Black communities that were built on and thrived amid collectivity and community.
Swagger (Apple TV), 2021-2023
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Inspired by NBA superstar Kevin Durant’s boyhood, “Swagger” follows Jace (Isaiah Hill), a young basketball prospect who is coached by Ike (O’Shea Jackson Jr.), a former star who feels stagnant working at a home repair store, and is determined to find a real path forward for his family. Unlike the usual rags-to-riches stories that center on megastars and ballers, “Swagger” is detailed and beautifully nuanced, examining the sensitive nature and importance of mentorship, especially for Black boys as they navigate a world determined to snuff them out. “Swagger” debuted in 2021 and ran for two seasons before it was canceled.
Swarm (Prime Video), 2023
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Created and co-directed by Donald Glover and Janine Nabers, Prime Video’s limited series “Swarm” is an intense psychological thriller about the perils of fandom and our collective co-dependence on social media and internet culture. The seven-part series follows Dre (Dominique Fishback), a socially awkward young woman who has two obsessions: her sister, Marissa (Chloe Bailey), and pop icon Ni’Jah (a fictional stand-in for Beyoncé). A mega Ni’Jah fan and a member of her intense fanbase, The Swarm, Dre maxes out her credit cards to attend the songstress’ latest concert. To get to the event, she embarks on a hauntingly violent and psychologically unnerving journey. Genre and tone-bending, the series is a sobering critique of celebrity fandom.
Underground (WGN), 2016-2017
Image Credit: Courtesy of WGN
Created by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski, “Underground” is one of the most compelling depictions of the antebellum South on television. When it premiered in 2016, it was one of the first shows to feature a modern soundtrack, despite its historical subject matter. The show opens on a Georgia plantation in 1857 and follows Noah (Aldis Hodge), an enslaved man who is captured and returned to the plantation after a failed attempt to run away. Undeterred despite his punishment, he begins crafting a plan for himself and six others at the Macon Plantation to escape to freedom. A thrilling story that shines a light on American history, the complex inner workings of the Underground Railroad and the abolitionist movement, the series is full of heart-wrenching stories and historical figures. “Undergound” was canceled after two seasons when WGN was purchased by the conservative corporation, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, but it’s available to stream on Hulu.
The Vince Staples Show (Netflix), 2024-2025
Image Credit: Ed Araquel/Netflix
A surrealist and satirical look at the Black American experience, Netflix’s “The Vince Staples Show” dives into the singer-rapper’s psyche. The show pulls directly from Staples’ real-life experience as a young Black man navigating fame, family, racism and everything in between. The comedy, which follows a fictional version of Vince, is not a linear story with a traditional narrative at the center. Its two seasons are filled with both laugh-out-loud and sobering moments, memorable characters and thoroughly engrossing writing. It’s a series full of great ideas that will leave audiences thinking long after the episodes end. It was canceled after two seasons.
Winning Time (HBO) 2022-2023
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A dazzling spectacle about the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers and the star power of megastar Earvin “Magic” Johnson (Quincy Isaiah), HBO’s “Winning Time” ran for just two seasons before being prematurely canceled. “Winning Time” focuses on Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss (John C. Reilly) as he begins to build a dynasty at a time when the NBA seemed to be in decline. Not only does the show examine Buss’ unconventional approach, but it also depicts the heated rivalry between the Lakers and the Boston Celtics, as well as Magic’s dazzling charisma and unbridled sexual escapades. Though the real-life figures depicted in the series were less than pleased with how they were portrayed, “Winning Time” is much more than just a basketball show. It’s a dizzying ride that pays homage to an era and a franchise that helped shape the world of professional basketball as we know it today.
The 1619 Project (Hulu) 2023
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Based on Nikole Hannah-Jones’ extensive research for the New York Times published in 2019 and her subsequent book published in 2021, Hulu’s “The 1619 Project” reframes the Black American experience in this country from the 17th Century to the present. The six-part docuseries takes on Hannah-Jones’ thesis that the founding of the United States began in 1619, when the first Africans set foot on American soil. A deeply profound and thorough series, “The 1619 Project” dives into every facet of the American experience, from government to popular culture, while highlighting how Black culture is deeply intertwined with it. The show has never been more timely, especially as anti-Blackness, racism and xenophobia continually run rampant in this country, bolstered by the White House and our current administration. The original project was so powerful that it sparked an entire anti-DEI movement. Hannah-Jones’ crash course in American history highlights why we keep repeating our past mistakes.