22 TV Shows To Watch On Netflix Featuring Black And Multi-Racial Casts, Creators

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is an annual day celebrating the life and legacy of the Civil Rights Movement leader, and while racial tensions and issues still do exist in the United States 53 years after his death, some of the rights and changes he and other leaders of the movement fought for can still be felt—especially in Hollywood, where Black creators are making some of the most provocative, interesting and entertaining films, TV shows and music in the entertainment world.

Whether they are bringing their talents behind the camera, or all-black and multi-racial casts are showcasing what they can do in front of it, as we all take a day to reflect on King’s legacy, check out these 22 shows on Netflix.

“All-American”

In this series, which has three seasons, a high school football player and A student from South Crenshaw High is recruited to join a team in Beverly Hills by the school’s coach. When he moves in with the coach’s family to make his transfer legitimate, he struggles as the coach’s son, the starting quarterback, doesn’t want to share the spotlight.

“Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show”

This sketch comedy series, produced by Kenya Barris, features a series of skits by the Astronomy Club, the first all-black house team at the Upright Citizens Brigade.

“#BlackAF”

Kenya Barris and has family navigate relationships, race and culture while grappling with their newfound success in this comedy series.

“Bridgerton”

This series, by Shonda Rhimes, follows a series of romance novels by Julia Quinn, and the first season, which takes place during the 1813 social season in London, features the unexpected romance between Daphne Bridgerton and Simon, the Duke of Hastings, a black man whose rise to such a social stature doesn’t go unacknowledged considering its time. The show also features Queen Charlotte and acknowledges her role in helping propel the status of some of the members of the elite Ton.

“Dear White People”

A group of students of color at Winchester University, a predominately white Ivy League college, face cultural bias, social injustice, misguided activism and slippery politics which highlight issues in a modern “post-racial” society.

“The Get Down”

In 1977 New York City, the talented and soulful youth of the South Bronx chase dreams and breakneck beats to transform music history.

“Greenleaf”

Although members of the Greenleaf family run a Memphis megachurch, their business and personal lives are tainted with greed, adultery and other sins.

“How To Get Away With Murder”

Criminal defense attorney and law professor Annalise Keating, as well as five of her students, become involved in a twisted murder case.

“The Last OG”

After 15 years behind bars, a kindhearted ex-drug dealer returns to Brooklyn looking for a fresh start, only to discover things have changed.

“Moesha”

Navigating the twists and first of high school, Moesha juggles friendships, romance and the occasional drama while trying to keep her family together.

“On My Block”

Lifelong friendships are tested as Monse, Ruby, Jamal and Cesar confront the challenges of adolescence and life in their predominately Hispanic and black neighborhood in South Central Los Angeles in this coming-of-age series.

“The Parkers”

Undergraduate Kim is joined at Santa Monica College by her mother, Nikki, who decides to go back to school with her daughter.

“Pose”

In 1987 New York, LGBTQ ball fixture Blanca starts her own house, soon becoming mother to a gifted dancer and a sex worker in love with a yuppie client.

“Self-Made: Inspired By The Life Of Madam CJ Walker”

An African-American washerwoman rises from poverty to build a beauty empire and become the first female self-made millionaire.

“Seven Seconds”

The death of a 15-year-old African-American boy in Jersey City sets off a police cover-up and a search for the truth.

“She’s Gotta Have It”

Nola Darling struggles to stay true to herself and her dreams while juggling three lovers in this Spike Lee series.

“Sister, Sister”

Separated at birth, twin sisters Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell reunite after 14 years and soon move in together, blending families and personalities.

“They’ve Gotta Have Us”

Powered by candid recollections from esteemed African-American entertainers, this docuseries traces the history of Black cinema.

“Time: The Kalief Browder Story”

This series traces the tragic case of Kalief Browder, a Black Bronx teen who spent three horrific years in jail, despite not being convicted of a crime.

“Trial 4”

Charged as a teen in the 1993 killing of a Boston cop, Sean K. Ellis fights to prove his innocence while exposing police corruption and systemic racism.

“When They See Us”

In 1989, a jogger was assaulted and raped in New York’s Central Park, and five young people were subsequently charged with the crime. The quintet, labeled the Central Park Five, maintained its innocence and spent years fighting the convictions, hoping to be exonerated. This limited series spans a quarter of a century, from when the teens are first questioned about the incident in the spring of 1989, going through their exoneration in 2002 and ultimately the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014.

“Who Killed Malcolm X?”

Decades after the assassination of African American leader Malcolm X, an activist embarks on a complex mission seeking truth in the name of justice.