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These TV shows and movies with Black actors will inspire you or make you laugh!
Most popular Black TV shows in 2019
Black movies in theaters now
When Queen Sugar, Greenleaf, Power and Black-ish come back on
When Black films Queen & Slim and Jumangi come out
One thing movie-goers and couch-surfers all have in common is watching something that is worth their time. New TV shows and movies with African American actors and actresses are making their debut on the small and big screens every month. Don’t be out of the loop with your friends!
Below are current TV shows and movies with famous Black actors in lead roles. Genres include true crime, comedy, drama, suspense, action and more! Plus, see what you can look forward to watching in the coming months.
*The information in this article is as current as of the publication date. Readers are encouraged to confirm the show or movie prior to watching.
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Harriet
Now Playing
Based on the story of iconic freedom fighter Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo), her escape from slavery and subsequent missions to free dozens of slaves through the Underground Railroad in the face of growing pre-Civil War adversity.
Black and Blue
Now Playing
A rookie cop (Naomie Harris) inadvertently captures the murder of a young drug dealer on her body cam. After realizing that the murder was committed by corrupt cops, she teams up with the one person from her community who is willing to help her (Tyrese Gibson). She then tries to escape both the criminals and the police who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage.
Joker
Now Playing
Driven insane by the disregard shown toward him by Gotham City’s inhabitants, failed stand-up comedian Arthur Fleck turns to a life of crime. He becomes the Joker. Now he is an icon of fear and, to some, inspiration. Zazie Beets plays Sophie Dumond.
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Watchmen
HBO – Sundays at 9 p.m.
Set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws, Watchmen embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel. Watch as they break new ground of their own. This series features Regina King.
All American Season 2
CW – Mondays at 8 p.m.
When a star high school football player from South Central is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High School, two separate worlds collide.
9-1-1
Fox – Mondays at 8 p.m.
Explore the high-pressure experiences of police officers (Angela Bassett), firefighters and dispatchers who are thrown into the most frightening, shocking, and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable while dealing with problems of their own.
Bob Hearts Abishola
CBS – Mondays at 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy a love story about a middle-aged businessman from Detroit who unexpectedly falls for his cardiac nurse. She is a Nigerian immigrant (Folake Olowofoyeku). Recovering from his heart, Bob sets his sights on winning her over. This is a comedic examination of immigrant life in America.
All Rise
CBS – Mondays at 9 p.m.
This courthouse drama follows the chaotic and absurd lives of judges, prosecutors, and public defenders. It is tough to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal system. Newly appointed Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick), immediately pushes the boundaries and challenges the expectations of what a judge can be.
Black Lightning Season 3
CW – Mondays at 9 p.m.
A crusading school principal gets back into action as the original African-American electrical superhero.
Empire Season 6
Fox – Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
Cookie confronts the truth regarding her and Damon Cross’ relationship. This sends Luscious on a rampage as he works with Andre to make Empire bigger and better than before.
Mixed-ish
ABC – Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
Rainbow Johnson recounts her experience growing up in a mixed-race family in the ’80s and the constant dilemmas they had to face over whether to assimilate or stay true to themselves.
This Is Us Season 4
NBC – Tuesdays at 9 p.m.
The Pearson family shows chronicles across the decades: from Jack and Rebecca as young parents in the 1980s to their 37-year-old kids, Kevin, Kate and Randall (Sterling K. Brown) searching for love and fulfillment in the present day. This life-affirming dramedy reveals how the tiniest events in our lives impact who we become.
Black-ish Season 6
ABC – Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m.
Andre and Rainbow want to give their kids the best – but they’re realizing childhood is much different these days.
Greenleaf Season 4
OWN – Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
The Calvary Church is now under the control of Harmony and Hope Ministries. Grace is now the leader, but she doesn’t have the support of her family.
The Oval
BET – Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
Newly-elected U.S. President Hunter Franklin, his wife Victoria (Kron Moore) and family move into the White House. You can only imagine the chaos as he and his family prepare for the Inaugural Ball.
Sistas
BET – Wednesdays at 10 p.m.
A group of single black females from different walks of life bond over their one common thread: why am I single?
How to Get Away With Murder Season 6
ABC – Thursdays at 10 p.m.
In the final season, the FBI is closing in on Professor Keating and her students for crimes and murders that have been committed. How will the final semester of law school end?
Iyanla: Fix My Life
OWN – Saturdays at 9 p.m.
Iyanla Vanzant is an accomplished author, inspirational speaker, talk show host, and living testament to the value in life’s valleys and the power of acting on faith. Iyanla is back, fixing lives and using her past to help others’ futures.
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Sickle Cell affects 1 in 365 African Americans.
21 Bridges
In Theaters November 22
A disgraced detective (Chadwick Boseman) in the NYPD is given a shot at redemption.
Queen & Slim
In Theaters November 27
A couple’s first date (Jodie Turner-Smith) and (Daniel Kaluuya) takes an unexpected turn when a police officer pulls them over. After a fight and shots fired, find out who is dead and who is on now on the run.
The Banker
In Theaters December 6
Watch the story of one of the first African-American bankers in the United States. The cast features Samuel L. Jackson, Nia Long and Anthony Mackie.
Dear Santa, I Need A Date
TVOne – December 8 at 7 p.m.
Watch the comedic story of two successful and ambitious siblings Janelle Vaughn and Jason Vaughn (Ray J). Their parents, Mr. Vaughn (Jay DeVon Johnson) and Mrs. Vaughn, are proud of their children’s flourishing careers but are displeased with their dating lives. Every holiday season, the Vaughn’s anxiously prepare for their children to bring home a significant other only to be disappointed. This year, The Vaughn’s apply pressure by expressing their concerns to Jason and Janelle, which sparks a bet between the siblings on who can find a date by Christmas.
Jumanji: The Next Level
In Theaters December 13
A team of friends return to Jumanji to rescue one of their own but discover that nothing is as they expect. The players need to brave parts unknown, from arid deserts to snowy mountains, in order to escape the world’s most dangerous game.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
In Theaters December 20
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga. This movie stars Lupita Nyong’o.
Power
Starz – January 5 at 8 p.m.
In the final season, will Ghost (Omari Hardwick) continue to remain blind from the enemies that want to take him down? And will he see those enemies include his brother-in-arms Tommy Egan, who shot his on-again-off-again girlfriend Angela? It will be revealed if she survived. The season will finish with 15 episodes.
Just Mercy
In Theaters January 10, 2020
Just Mercy shadows world-renowned civil rights defense attorney Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan). He recounts his experiences and details the case of a condemned death row prisoner whom he fought to free.
Bad Boys for Life
In Theaters January 17, 2020
Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) is now a police inspector and Mike Lowery (Will Smith) is in a midlife crisis. They unite again when an Albanian mercenary, whose brother they killed, promises them an important bonus.
Bird of Prey: And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn
In Theaters February 7, 2020
After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord.
The Photograph
In Theaters February 14, 2020
This romantic drama goes through a series of intertwining love stories set in the past and in the present. This movie stars Issa Rae and Lakeith Stanfield.
Respect
In Theaters August 14, 2020
Starring Jennifer Hudson, this biopic chronicles the life of Aretha Franklin.
Did we miss any shows? Please let us know in the comments or contact us at The Voice of Black Cincinnati so we can add them.
The Voice of Black Cincinnati is a media company designed to educate, recognize and create opportunities for African Americans. Want to find local news, events, job posting, scholarships and a database of local Black-owned businesses? Visit our homepage, explore other articles, subscribe to our newsletter, like our Facebook page, join our Facebook group and text VOBC to 797979.
Marissa Staples, Writer
Where is Queen Sugar & Insecure???
nice post
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Fahrenheit 451 should be on this list along with Trevor Noah…love him or hate him his staying power in spite of the ‘black out’ of black hollywood, should be acknowledged.
Hold up ?? Empire has gotten lamer but it’s still good . But where Star And Insecure at ?? Y’all can’t forget my babies now .
Hi! Thank you so much fort commenting. I will look into Star. Insecure does not return to HBO until 2020. Thanks!
Creed 1&2, Iyanla Fix My Life and Queen of the South is featuring black actors.
Hi! Thank you so much for commenting. We will look into adding these titles. Thanks!
Oh. I forgot about “All American”.
Hi! Thank you so much for commenting. “All American” is listed is already listed in our Netflix article. Thanks!
https://thevoiceofblackcincinnati.com/black-movies-netflix/
This is us or did I miss it?
Hi! Thank you so much for commenting. Your mentioned TV show will return on Tuesday, September 24 at 9 p.m. It has been added to our list. Thanks!
Many of the shows listed up there are so filled with underhanded stereotypes that no black child should be allowed to watch them. The horror about these shows is that because it is in fact blacks self deprecating, it legitimizes the horrific racial stereotypes. There isn’t one black comedian who has not spent a good portion of his show with jokes that imply that black people are either thieves or lazy. Black shows like Blackish, Empire, or other black shows almost seem to be written by the KKK. They often depict blacks as violent people who can’t speak English the way the rest of America does. If they are not openly racist, they are subtlety so. For example, in one episode of Blackish it was implied that black protesters were the ones who were racist by keeping others out of their protest. The fact is that most whites have never shown much interest of joining blacks in their struggle. In another blackish show, one of the characters stated that black women are the least desirable. This is a common myth that African-American women themselves consistently perpetuate. First, that is an issue only in America. Black women in the Caribbean and in Africa are all married to black men. Black women in Europe are often married to members of other races. The fact that black men in America often marry white women is not a “black men” issue; it’s an issue with the “African-American” men. The reality is that even in America, black woman would find ample partners if they were willing to date outside of their race. So, it is not a black women issue, but an issue with the black men in America. All in all, the self deprecation that is part of the African-American(blacks in America) is truly pathetic in is in everything they showcase.