From high-stakes dramas and steampunk adventures to heartfelt comedies and animated series, 2025 was a landmark year for Black TV creators. This year brought a diverse array of stories that pushed boundaries, celebrated culture, and centered Black and Brown voices across streaming platforms, cable, and digital channels. Whether exploring identity, family, love, or social issues—or delivering laughs, thrills, and superhero action—these shows demonstrated the creativity, vision, and storytelling power of Black talent in television today. Here’s a look at the standout series that premiered this year.
Washington Black | Hulu
A limited series following George Washington “Wash” Black, a young enslaved boy in Barbados who escapes with an eccentric inventor, embarking on a globe-spanning, steampunk-infused adventure that explores freedom, identity, and the power of science.
Created By: Selwyn Seyfu Hinds Based on the novel by Esi Edugyan
Cast: Ernest Kingsley Jr., Eddie Karanja, Sterling K. Brown, Tom Ellis, Iola Evans, Rupert Graves, Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Duster | Max — NOW CANCELED
A 1970s Southwest crime drama following a skilled getaway driver whose life is upended when he encounters a determined Black female FBI agent trying to take down his crime syndicate, leading to a world of danger, intrigue, and moral conflict.
Created By: J.J. Abrams, LaToya Morgan
Cast: Josh Holloway, Rachel Hilson, Keith David, Sydney Elisabeth, Greg Grunberg, Camille Guaty, Benjamin Charles Watson
Forever | Netflix
Set in 2018 Los Angeles, the series follows childhood friends Keisha and Justin as they reconnect in high school and experience the highs and lows of first love while navigating family expectations, social pressures, and growing up Black in America.
Created By: Mara Brock Akil
Cast: Lovie Simone, Michael Cooper Jr., Xosha Roquemore, Karen Pittman, Wood Harris
Safe Space | Tubi
It’s a comedy that dives into the everyday lives, relationships, and struggles of diverse friends, often featuring relatable scenarios, social commentary, and the dynamics of modern dating and friendship, all within a comedic lens.
Created By: KevOnStage (Kevin Fredericks)
Cast: KevOnStage (Kevin Fredericks), Keysha E., Tahir Moore, Quin Walters, Devonte West, Jazmine Robinson, Angel Laketa Moore, Na’im Lynn, LaKeysha Edwards, Loulou Gonzalez, Corey Calliet, Terilisha, Tony Baker, Mel Mitchell, Patrick Cloud, Norman Towns, Mecca Evans, Jor él Quinn, Jamila Bell, Brandon Cormell, and more.
Crutch | Paramount+
A spinoff of ‘The Neighborhood,’ this sitcom is set in Harlem and follows shop owner Frank “Crutch” Crutchfield as his empty-nest life is disrupted when his kids and grandkids move back in, forcing him to use his street smarts to guide them through careers, relationships, and family chaos.
Created By: Owen H.M. Smith
Cast: Tracy Morgan, Jermaine Fowler, Adrianna Mitchell, Kecia Lewis, Adrian Martinez, Braxton Paul, Finn Maloney
Bad Influencer | Netflix
A drama following a struggling fashion designer who teams up with a social media influencer to sell counterfeit luxury bags in Johannesburg, sparking high-stakes drama, moral compromises, and the glamorous but risky world of fakes and fame.
Created By: Kudi Maradzika
Cast: Jo-Anne Reyneke, Cindy Mahlangu
The Hospital | Bet Plus
The series throws you into the trenches of a busy, underfunded inner-city hospital where humor and heart collide with medical emergencies, showcasing the highs and lows of young doctors navigating demanding careers, complex relationships, and the general absurdity of hospital life, all while dealing with real issues like staff shortages and systemic challenges, but through a comedic lens.
Created By: Kevin ‘Kevonstage’ Fredericks
Cast: Kevin ‘Kevonstage’ Fredericks, Tony Baker, Chris ‘CP’ Powell, D’Lai, Dinora Walcott, Loren Lott, Jazmine Robinson, and more
G.R.I.T.S. | ALLBLK
An ALLBLK drama series following three young women from Memphis who bond through roller skating as they navigate life’s challenges like grief, love, and financial struggles.
Created By: Deji LaRay
Cast: Jasmine Sargent, Ashanti Harris, Aja “Slimeroni” Canyon, Thomas Q. Jones, Elise Neal, Jasun Jabbar Wardlaw Jr., Jerrel O’Neal, 8Ball, Gem Marc Collins
The Comic Shop | YouTube
A workplace mockumentary comedy following Stephanie Okeke and her quirky team as they struggle to keep their Los Angeles comic book shop, “Oh Em Gee Comics,” afloat while dealing with customers, finances, and a relentless landlord, blending Black and nerd cultures with a vibrant, ’90s sitcom feel.
Created By: Cheyenne Ewulu
Cast: Cheyenne Ewulu, Zeno Robinson, Shanae Cole, Grayson Niles
Special Guests: Khary Payton, Hayley Law, Rahul Kohli, JB Blanc
Conspirators | ALLBLK
A dramatic thriller following a group of millennial hackers in Washington D.C. who reunite after their friend’s suspicious shooting and disappearance, uncovering conspiracies tied to a local politician running for mayor.
Created By: Christel Gibson
Cast: CJ Obilom, Kelsey Delemar, Kyrel Jaundoo, Simeon Othello Daise, Christian Tait, Keith Robinson, Sean Blakemore
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man | Disney+
An animated series following a young Peter Parker navigating high school, responsibility, and his earliest days as a hero, with a reimagined take on mentorship and community in a diverse world. Streaming January 2025.
Created By: Jeff Trammell
Cast: Hudson Thomas, Colman Domingo
Oh My God… Yes! A Series of Extremely Relatable Circumstances | Adult Swim
An adult animated comedy following three Black women navigating sex, dating, work, and womanhood in a futuristic Los Angeles, where everyday life collides with robots, aliens, pop culture satire, and surreal chaos.
Created By: Adele “Supreme” Williams
Cast: Adele Williams, DomiNque Perry, Xosha Roquemore, Keith David, Cree Summer, Gary Anthony Williams, Chris Parnell
Win or Lose | Disney+
Pixar’s first original series, following a middle school softball team, the Pickles, during the week leading to their championship, with each episode showing a different character’s perspective, exploring anxiety, family, and growing up through humor and heartfelt storytelling.
Created By / Directed By: Michael Yates, Carrie Hobson
Cast: Will Forte, Rosie Foss, Josh Thomson, Milan Elizabeth Ray, Rosa Salazar, Dorien Watson, Izaac Wang, Chanel Stewart, Lil Rel Howery, Melissa Villaseñor, Jo Firestone, Flula Borg, Kyleigh Curran, Jaylin Fletcher, Erin Keif, Tom Law, Beck Nolan, Orion Tran, Rhea Seehorn
‘Government Cheese’ | Apple TV+
A surreal family comedy set in 1969 San Fernando Valley, following Hampton Chambers as he returns from prison to reconnect with his family and develop his “Bit Magician” drill invention, navigating a bizarre, dreamlike world filled with odd events.
Created By: Paul Hunter, David Oyelowo
Cast: David Oyelowo, Simone Missick, Bokeem Woodbine, Jahi Di’Allo Winston, Adam Beach
The Family Business: New Orleans | BET Plus
A crime drama following a powerful New Orleans branch of the Duncan family as a deadly turf war with corrupt politicians, land developers, and rival crime bosses threatens their casino empire, forcing the family to unite across cities to protect their legacy.
Created By: Carl Weber
Cast: Lela Rochon, Brandon T. Jackson, Pooch Hall, Ben Stephens, David Banner, Yvette Nicole Brown, Michael Jai White
The Kouncil | Peacock
After a breakup, a woman turns to her inner voices—personified as Logic, Heart, Anxiety, and Lady Parts—for guidance through adulthood in this unique, irreverent comedy.
Created By: Katie Florence
Ironheart | Disney+
Set after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the Marvel series follows Chicago-born genius Riri Williams as she builds her own advanced armor and collides with a dangerous new force where cutting-edge technology meets dark magic.
Created By: Chinaka Hodge
Cast: Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Lyric Ross, Manny Montana, Alden Ehrenreich, Sacha Baron Cohen
Beyond the Gates | CBS
A Black-led daytime soap opera following the wealthy Dupree family in Maryland’s exclusive Fairmont Crest, where luxury masks secrets, betrayals, and romantic entanglements, exploring ambition, status, and complicated relationships behind the pristine gates.
Created By: Michele Val Jean — Developed by CBS Studios/NAACP Venture in partnership with P&G Studios
Cast: Tamara Tunie, Karla Mosley, Timon Kyle Durrett, Clifton Davis, Colby Muhammad, Daphnée Duplaix, Sean Freeman
Eyes of Wakanda | Disney+
An animated anthology following Wakandan warriors across different eras as they recover stolen Vibranium and protect their nation’s secrets, blending ancient kingdoms, modern cities, and introducing the MCU’s first female Iron Fist.
Created By: Todd Harris
Cast: Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Steve Toussaint, Anika Noni Rose, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton
The Warehouse Phase
An overlooked musician, Malachi “Chi” Moore, reluctantly dives into the world of online content creation and influencer culture after the sudden death of rapper Nic P. As he quickly rises to stardom, Chi must juggle his newfound fame, true love for music, friendships, and a complicated love life—all while chasing a mysterious record executive and balancing authenticity in a digital age
youtube.com
Creator: Charlie Curtis‑Beard (also stars as Chi)
Iyanu | Cartoon Network / YouTube
An animated superhero adventure following teenage orphan Iyanu in magical Yorubaland as she discovers divine powers and teams up with friends to combat an ancient evil threatening her world.
Created By: Roye Okupe
Cast: Serah Johnson, Okey Jude, Samuel Kugbiyi, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Stella Damasus, Shaffy Bello, Ike Ononye
Divorced Sistas | BET+
A drama following five close friends navigating heartbreak, self-discovery, and the trials of sisterhood as they support one another through relationships, reinvention, and reclaiming their self-worth.
Created By: Tyler Perry
Cast: LeToya Luckett, Khadeen Indréa, Porscha Coleman, Briana Price, Jennifer Sears, RonReaco Lee, DeVon Franklin, Donovan Christie Jr., Robert Christopher Riley
Miss Governor | Netflix
A comedy following Mississippi’s first Black lieutenant governor, Antoinette Dunkerson, as she juggles a political career under a condescending boss while managing her eccentric family, navigating power struggles, and handling sudden public scrutiny.
Created By: Tyler Perry, Niya Palmer
Cast: Terri J. Vaughn, Jade Novah, Drew Olivia Tillman, Tré Boyd, Jo Marie Payton, Karon Riley, Robert Craighead
Clean Slate | Prime Video — NOW CANCELED
A comedy following a Mobile, Alabama car wash owner whose estranged child returns after 23 years as a proud trans woman, exploring family, acceptance, and reconciliation with humor, heart, and Norman Lear–style comedy.
Created By: Laverne Cox, George Wallace, Dan Ewen
Cast: Laverne Cox, George Wallace, Telma Hopkins, D.K. Uzoukwu, Jay Wilkison, Norah Murphy
Black Ops | Hulu
A comedy thriller following two inexperienced Police Community Support Officers, Dom and Kay, who join the Met Police to serve their East London community but end up deep undercover in a criminal enterprise, facing chaos, moral dilemmas, and tests of loyalty.
Created By: Gbemisola Ikumelo, Akemnji Ndifornyen
Cast: Gbemisola Ikumelo, Hammed Animashaun, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Ariyon Bakare, Felicity Montagu, Joanna Scanlan, Robbie Gee