No one can deny the impact that Black-led shows have had on the history of television. Black Hollywood has gone through several golden ages over the years, from trailblazing sitcoms of the '70s to the UPN comedies that dominated the '90s and early aughts to the genre-defying influx of prestige series like Insecure, Queen Sugar, and Scandal in more recent years. Every year, Black creatives debut new shows that highlight the variety of the Black experience, while proving that the culture and community are not a monolith. Whatever the genre you prefer, there’s no shortage of classic TV shows and new hits for your latest dose of Black excellence.
Many of the best TV shows of all time have found a second life on streaming, so we created a list to highlight some essential picks. Read on for the best Black TV shows ever and where to watch them.
'227' (1985–1990)
Starring: Marla Gibbs, Jackée Harry, Hal Williams, Alaina Reed-Hall, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin
Premise: This iconic comedy expands the idea of a family sitcom to include all of the zany members of a Washington, D.C., apartment building, dealing with issues that affected middle class families across America at the time.
'Abbott Elementary' (2021– )
Starring: Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Tyler James Williams, Janelle James, Lisa Ann Walter, Chris Perfetti, William Stanford Davis
Premise: One of the best new comedies in recent years, this mockumentary series is about the staff at an underfunded Philly public school. It makes us want to give all teachers their much-deserved flowers.
'Atlanta' (2016–2022)
Starring: Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz
Premise: This two-time Emmy winner tells the story of cousins Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles (Henry) and Earnest "Earn" Marks (Glover). With the help of their friend Darrius (Stanfield), they'll set out to try and make their way to the top of the Atlanta rap scene.
'Being Mary Jane' (2013–2019)
Starring: Gabrielle Union, Lisa Vidal, Latarsha Rose, Raven Goodwin, B.J. Britt, Margaret Avery, Richard Brooks, and Richard Roundtree
Premise: Mary Jane Paul (Union) is an Atlanta cable news host who wants to have it all: an all-star career as a news anchor and a loving family at home. This soapy drama from Girlfriends creator Mara Brock Akil follows her throughout her work struggles, dating life, and issues with her extended family, including her two brothers and niece, Niecy (Goodwin).
'Bel-Air' (2022– )
Starring: Jabari Banks, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones, and Simone Joy Jones
Premise: This drama series inspired by the Fresh Prince has become another must-watch show, following teenage Will Smith (Banks) as he adapts to life in Bel-Air while staying true to his West Philly ways and his pro basketball dreams.
'Black-ish' (2014–2022)
Starring: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin, Yara Shahidi
Premise: Family man Andre "Dre" Johnson (Anderson) awakes one day with the fear that his family could be getting too used to their lives in their very white, upper-middle-class neighborhood. Not wanting his family to lose their cultural identity, Dre sets out to teach his children various aspects of Black culture.
'A Black Lady Sketch Show' (2019–2023)
Starring: Robin Thede, Ashley Nicole Black, Gabrielle Dennis, Quinta Brunson, Laci Mosley, Skye Townsend
Premise: Think Saturday Night Live for Black women. A Black lady sketch troupe, led by Robin Thede and produced by Issa Rae, acts through several hilarious sketches with guest appearances by stars including Angela Bassett, Gabrielle Union, Patti LaBelle, and more.
'Blindspotting' (2021–2023)
Starring: Jasmine Cephas Jones, Jaylen Barron, Candace Nicholas-Lippman, Benjamin Earl Turner, Atticus Woodward, Margot Hall, Rafael Casal, and Helen Hunt
Premise: This continuation series of the 2018 movie of the same name, starring Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, takes place six months later. When Miles (Casal) is suddenly incarcerated, Ashley (Jones), his partner of 12 years, has to navigate a chaotic new environment as when she and her son Sean (Woodward) are forced to move in with Miles' mother (Hunt) and half-sister (Barron).
'Blood & Water' (2020– )
Starring: Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema, Thabang Molaba, Natasha Thahane, Dillon Windvogel, Arno Greeff
Premise: At a party, South African teen Puleng (Qamata) runs into Fikile, a rich girl whom she believes to be her long-lost older sister, who was abducted at birth. She then transfers to the ritzy high school Parkhurst College to get closer to Fikile and uncover the truth.
'The Carmichael Show' (2015–2017)
Starring: Jerrod Carmichael, Amber Stevens West, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, Loretta Devine, and David Alan Grier
Premise: This short-lived sitcom follows the tradition of classic Black TV comedies, focusing on an everyday family dealing with issues like gender, police brutality, depression, and gun control. The fictional version of creator Jerrod Carmichael's family includes his parents (Devine and Grier), his live-in girlfriend Maxine (West), his brother Bobby, (Howrey), and Bobby's estranged wife Nekeisha (Haddish).
'The Chi' (2018– )
Starring: Alex Hibbert, Jacob Latimore, Tyla Abercrumbie, Luke James, Birgundi Baker, Yolonda Ross, Curtiss Cook, Iman Shumpert, and Michael V. Epps
Premise: This long-running ensemble drama follows the day-to-day lives of residents of Chicago's Southside, from a trio of best friends pulled in different directions in the aftermath of police brutality to the machinations of city government.
WATCH ON PARAMOUNT+ WITH SHOWTIME
'Dear White People' (2017–2021)
Starring: Logan Browning, Brandon P Bell, DeRon Horton, Antoinette Robertson, John Patrick Amedori, Ashley Blaine Featherson
Premise: Based on the 2014 film of the same name, this Netflix original focuses on a group of students of color at the prestigious Winchester University as they try to make their predominantly white Ivy college more inclusive.
'A Different World' (1987–1993)
Starring: Lisa Bonet, Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown, Dawnn Lewis, Jada Pinkett Smith
Premise: This spin-off from the world of The Cosby Show followed Denise Huxtable (Bonet) and her times at Hillman College. It was one of the first shows to accurately portray historically Black fraternities and sororities, while covering topics from HIV to the 1992 LA riots.
'Empire' (2015–2020)
Starring: Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Y. Gray, Gabourey Sidibe, Ta'Rhonda Jones
Premise: When hip-hop artist and CEO of Empire Entertainment Lucious Lyon (Howard) finds out his days are numbered, his three sons battle for control over his multi-million dollar company. Another problem? His ex-wife Cookie (Henson) is back in town, and she's out for revenge for taking the fall for the drug-running that financed his early career.
'Everybody Hates Chris' (2005–2009)
Starring: Terry Crews, Tichina Arnold, Tequan Richmond, Imani Hakim, Vincent Martella, Tyler James Williams, Chris Rock
Premise: Comedian Chris Rock brings his childhood in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood to the small screen. Its ability to tackle race and class in America through comedy earned the show Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
'Family Matters' (1989–1998)
Starring: Reginald VelJohnson, Jaleel White, Kellie Shanygne Williams, Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton, Rosetta LeNoire
Premise: This show gave us the infamous nerdy next-door neighbor Steve Urkel (White) that America couldn't get enough of, yet the Winslow family wished he and all his silly antics would just go away.
'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' (1990–1996)
Starring: Will Smith, James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell
Premise: If you know the famous theme song, you already know what this show is about. But if you've been hiding under a rock, we can break it down. A kid (Smith) from West Philadelphia moves in with his wealthy uncle Phil (Avery) and crew in California at his mother's request. He has a hard time adjusting to the new lifestyle, but with the help of his new family, he'll figure things out.
'From Scratch' (2022)
Starring: Zoe Saldaña, Eugenio Mastrandrea, Danielle Deadwyler, Judith Scott, Kellita Smith, Keith David, Lucia Sardo, and Paride Benassai
Premise: Based on creator Tembi Locke's memoir of the same name, From Scratch is the love story of Amy (Saldaña), an American art student, and Lino (Mastrandrea), a Sicilian chef. After meeting during a whirlwind summer in Italy, Amy and Lino deal with challenges as they combine their lives, from long distances to difficult family members to health struggles.
'Girlfriends' (2000–2008)
Starring: Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, Reginald C. Hayes, Jill Marie Jones
Premise: Before Black-ish, Ellis Ross played California girl Joan. She and her close-knit girlfriends went through their 20-somethings problems together, tackling issues from interracial relationships to parenthood all while wearing elite '00s fashion.
'Good Times' (1974–1979)
Starring: Esther Rolle, John Amos, Ja'Net DuBois, Ralph Carter, Bern Nadette Stanis, Jimmie Walker, Johnny Brown, Janet Jackson, and Ben Powers
Premise: The first-ever sitcom to center on a large, working-class Black family and the source of countless references passed down over 50 years (from "Dy-no-mite" to "Damn, damn, damn!")
'Grand Crew' (2021–2023)
Starring: Echo Kellum, Justin Cunningham, Grasie Mercedes, Carl Tart, Aaron Jennings, and Nicole Byer
Premise: This unfortunately short-lived (unless someone renews it!) sitcom follows a hilarious crew of young friends living their best lives as young Black professionals in LA.
'Half & Half' (2002–2006)
Starring: Rachel True, Essence Atkins, Telma Hopkins, Valarie Pettiford, Chico Benymon
Premise: Estranged half-sisters Mona (True) and Dee Dee (Atkins) start bonding after they move into the same apartment building, to the dismay of their moms, single Phyllis (Hopkins) and second wife Big Dee Dee (Pettiford).
'How to Get Away With Murder' (2014–2020)
Starring: Viola Davis, Alfred Enoch, Jack Falahee, Aja Naomi King, Karla Souza, Matt McGorry, Charlie Weber, Liza Weil, Conrad Ricamora, and Billy Brown
Premise: Law professor Annalise Keating (Davis) recruits a select group of her students to work as her assistants on high-profile criminal defense cases. However, each season includes flash-forwards where the Keating 5 (and often the attorney herself) get entangled in their own murder plots.
'I May Destroy You' (2020)
Starring: Michaela Coel, Weruche Opia, Paapa Essiedu, Stephen Wight
Premise: Londoner Arabella (Coel) arrives back in town with an inbox full of messages from her publisher on her book's status and tempting texts from her friends to go out for the night. She chooses the latter, and something happens that changes her forever.
'I'm A Virgo' (2023)
Starring: Jharrel Jerome, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Brett Gray, Kara Young, Allius Barnes, Olivia Washington, and Walton Goggins
Premise: A 13-foot-tall boy (Jerome) is raised in secret in Oakland, CA, until he turns 19 and is accidentally discovered by a group of teenage political activists. What happens next is a wild, surrealist, anti-capitalist adventure from the mind of Sorry to Bother You director Boots Riley.
'Insecure' (2016–2021)
Starring: Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell, Amanda Seales, Lisa Joyce
Premise: Best friends Issa (Rae) and Molly (Orji) aren't as confident as everyone makes them out to be, but they know how to fake it 'til they make it. Part comedy, part drama, Rae writes a world that accurately mirrors the Black woman's experience with no sugarcoating needed.
'The Jeffersons' (1975–1985)
Starring: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict
Premise: After coming into a lot of money, the Jeffersons ditch Queens for a space in a high-rise in Manhattan. Sanford who played Louise Jeffersons became the second Black actress to win the Emmy for Best Actress.
'Living Single' (1993–1998)
Starring: Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, John Henton, Kim Fields, Terrence 'T.C.' Carson
Premise: A group of six 20-something friends trying to make it in the hustle and bustle that was New York in the '90s? Sign us up, Also, can't forget to mention it has the best theme song, like, ever.
'Martin' (1992–1997)
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Thomas Mikal Ford, Carl Anthony Payne II, Tichina Arnold
Premise: Martin Lawrence plays Martin Payne, a DJ for Detroit radio station WZUP. His on-off relationship with Gina Waters (Campbell-Martin) proved that true love does exist, but it doesn't come without a couple of mishaps.
'Moesha' (1996–2001)
Starring: Brandy Norwood, William Allen Young, Marcus T. Paulk, Lamont Bentley, Terrance Harvey, Shar Jackson
Premise: South Central L.A. teen Moesha (Brandy Norwood) is used to being the head of her household. That all changes when her father remarries, leaving her and her little brother to adjust to the new addition. Thankfully, they have a great group of friends to help them along the way.
'One on One' (2001–2006)
Starring: Kyla Pratt, Robert Ri'chard, Flex Alexander, Kelly Perine, Sicily Johnson
Premise: When her mom accepts a job out of the country, teenager Breanna Barnes (Pratt) has to move in with her former athlete-turned-sportscaster dad. She has bigger problems, though, like her relationship with her boyfriend Arnaz (Ri'chard) and dealing with the pain that is high school.
'Pose' (2018–2021)
Starring: Michaela Jaé (MJ) Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Angel Bismark, Ryan Jamaal Swain, Dyllón Burnside, Angelica Ross, Hailie Sahar, and Billy Porter
Premise: Set amid the LGBTQ+ ballroom scene of 1980s N.Y.C., this trailblazing series centers on the inner workings of the Houses, or voguing crews and found families, who competed in the balls.
'Power' (2014–2020)
Starring: Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Rotimi Akinosho, Michael Rainey Jr., La La Anthony, Larenz Tate, and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson
Premise: This 50 Cent-produced crime series kicked off the Power television universe (a.k.a three spin-offs and counting). It follows an N.Y.C. nightclub owner and kingpin (Hardwick) as he reconnects with his high school girlfriend Angela (Loren), who's now a criminal prosecutor investigating his drug empire.
'The Proud Family' (2001–2005)
Starring: Kyla Pratt, Jo Marie Payton, Tommy Davidson, Karen Malina White, Alisa Reyes, Paula Jai Parker
Premise: This early-aughts cartoon is beloved among '00s Black kids for showing a family that looked familiar to them, while also airing episodes about Black history traditions like Kwanzaa and the Tuskegee Airmen. (The updated Disney+ revival Louder Than Prouder is also great.)
'P-Valley' (2020– )
Starring: Brandee Evans, Elarica Johnson, Nicco Annan, Shannon Thornton, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Parker Sawyer
Premise: Based on creator Katori Hall's play of the same name, this underrated TV show follows the workers at Mississippi strip club The Pynk, showing the glamour and hard work that fuel the stripping industry.
'Queen Sugar' (2016–2022)
Starring: Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Kofi Siriboe, Omar J. Dorsey, Nicholas L. Ashe, Tina Lifford, Bianca Lawson
Premise: One of two Ava DuVernay series on this list, this melodrama follows three siblings from rural Louisiana who all have very different ideas on how to run their family's sugarcane farm after their father falls ill.
'Rap Sh!t' (2022–2023)
Starring: Aida Osman, KaMillion, Jonica Booth, Devon Terrell, RJ Cyler, DomiNque Perry, Brittney Jefferson, Daniel Augustin, Kat Cunning, and Jaboukie Young-White
Premise: Issa Rae's follow-up to Insecure takes place among the emerging rap scene in Miami, FL, starring Osman and KaMillion as childhood friends Shawna and Mia, who become a rap duo after their freestyle goes viral.
'Scandal' (2012–2018)
Starring: Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes, Bellamy Young, Guillermo Diaz
Premise: Hollywood queen Shonda Rhimes does it again, this time about a former White House communications director who opens up a crisis management firm to make sure what secrets happen in Capitol Hill stay there. All hail Olivia Pope (Washington).
'Sister, Sister' (1994–1999)
Starring: Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Jackée Harry, Tim Reid, Marques Houston
Premise: Twin sisters separated at birth wind up meeting each 14 years later by chance at a Detroit mall. Not wanting to separate the twins any longer, their (conveniently) single adoptive parents agree to move in together so they can be a family. It's as lovely as well as laugh-out-loud funny as it sounds.
'Snowfall' (2017–2023)
Starring: Damson Idris, Michael Hyatt, Emily Rios, Angela Lewis, Amin Joseph, Carter Hudson, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Isaiah John, Devyn Tyler, and Gail Bean
Premise: Boyz n the Hood director John Singleton helmed this crime drama about the Saint family, who navigate ways to make money during the 1980s crack epidemic in South Central LA.
'Survival of the Thickest' (2023– )
Starring: Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Taylor Selé, Garcelle Beauvais, Marouane Zotti, Liza Treyger, Anissa Felix, Anthony Michael Lopez, Peppermint, and Nicole Byer
Premise: After a devastating breakup, fashion stylist Mavis (Buteau) has to rebuild her life as a newly single woman. As she deals with demanding jobs and heartache, she's determined to thrive with the help of her besties (played by Bell and Smith).
'That's So Raven' (2003–2007)
Starring: Raven-Symoné, Orlando Brown, Anneliese van der Pol, Kyle Massey, Rondell Sheridan, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh
Premise: The ability to have brief psychic visions of the near future was every kid's dream because of this show. If you grew up watching Disney Channel, you wanted to be Raven Baxter (Raven-Symoné). PERIOD!
'The Underground Railroad' (2021)
Starring: Thuso Mbedu, Aaron Pierre, William Jackson Harper, Chase Dillon, Joel Edgerton, Sheila Atim
Premise: This gorgeous adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows Cora (Mbedu), who escapes from slavery aboard a literal underground train system.
'The Upshaws' (2021– )
Starring: Mike Epps, Kim Fields, Wanda Sykes, Jermelle Simon, Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine, Diamond Lyons, and Gabrielle Dennis
Premise: Bennie (Epps) and Regina Upshaw (Fields) are a working-class couple raising a blended family. That includes their two young daughters, their grown-up, eldest son the couple conceived when they were teenagers, and Bennie's son from a years-ago affair with now co-parent Tasha (Dennis). It's complicated, but they make it work, with the help of Regina's sister Lucretia (Sykes).
'When They See Us' (2019)
Original run: May 31, 2019
Starring: Asante Blackk, Jharrel Jerome, Michael Kenneth Williams, Niecy Nash, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman
Premise: Ava DuVernay's miniseries tells the true story of the Central Park Five, a group of kids who were wrongfully convicted for attacking a female jogger in late '80s New York.
