Best TV shows with Black actors in 2026 that provide suspense, thriller, drama, and comedy before bedtime.
Below are current TV shows with Black actors in lead roles. Genres include true crime, comedy, drama, suspense, action, and more. Plus, see what new shows you can look forward to.
Did you miss the episode when it aired? Many television shows can be watched on streaming services, so binge on. Whether it’s a reboot of an old sitcom or a new dramedy, these TV shows are perfect for you!
*The information in this article is as current as the publication date.
Streaming
Black Documentaries
Soul Power: The Legend of the American Basketball Association (TV-MA)
Amazon Prime
Soul Power is the definitive story—and first docuseries—of the American Basketball Association. The series chronicles the 1967 launch of the enterprising league and explores how a collection of franchises challenged the NBA on and off the court. This series examines the lasting impact of the ABA on the sport of basketball.
Starring: “Dr. J” Julius Erving
Beauty and the Bester (TV-MA)
Netflix
This is no simple jailbird: Thabo Bester literally pulled scams while behind bars and had insiders on his payroll. The plot thickens with Dr. Nandipha Magudumana, whose tangled ties to Bester spin a tale of seduction, lies, and betrayal. Did renowned Dr Randipha get embroiled in Thabo Bester’s prison break? Imagine beauty crashing headlong into chaos, where the spotlight blinds and shadows hide secrets. This chilling documentary series examines the enigmatic ties that bound them. Check out the docuseries on Netflix today.
Starring: Dr. Nandipha
Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model (TV-MA)
Netflix
The series examines both the popularity and problematic nature of America’s Next Top Model. Models, judges, and “ANTM” insiders — including Tyra Banks — look back at the reality show’s complicated legacy in this eye-opening documentary series. What started as a glamorous launchpad for aspiring models became a pop-culture juggernaut defined by explosive drama, public meltdowns, and controversies.
Starring: Tyra Banks
Black Action Shows
Paradise (TV-MA)
Hulu
Agent Xavier Collins discovers one of the world’s most influential individuals has been murdered. With the world shaken up, Agent Collins joins a security service team. With two new partners, their first assignment is safeguarding a former president. Can this team pull it together and prevent another murder of an influential figure? Check out season 2 on Hulu today!
Starring: Sterling K. Brown
Cross (TV-MA)
Amazon Prime
Cross is a crime thriller that follows the investigations of brilliant forensic psychologist and DC Metro Detective Alex Cross. Together with his best friend and partner, Detective John Sampson, Cross delves into the psyches of America’s most insidious killers. Can he also fight to protect his family from the dangers of the criminal world? Check out Season 2 on Prime today!
Starring: Aldis Hodge
Black Reality Shows
Funny AF with Kevin Hart (TV-MA)
Netflix
Comics from across the nation compete for a chance at their own Netflix stand-up special, facing rigorous tests that mirror the real-life journey in comedy. Viewers vote in real time during live shows for their favorite stand-up. With Kevin Hart traveling the country, plenty of comedy is guaranteed. Check it out on Netflix today!
Starring: Kevin Hart
House of Fire (TV-14)
BET+
The category is Family Realness! This show follows the chosen family of the legendary House of Miyake-Mugler as they juggle their impressive careers, steamy relationships, and heated rivalries. Can they do it all while slaying the fierce world of New York City ballroom? In today’s ballroom era, the heels are higher, the rivalries are more vicious, and the House of Miyake-Mugler takes the crown. Check out this new series on Thursdays.
Starring: Chanel Mugler
Black Comedy Shows
The Ms. Pat Show (TV-MA)
BET+
Season 5 continues the journey of Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams-Lee as she navigates the complexities of modern parenthood, marriage, work, and relationships. This season tackles tough topics including scars left by absent parents, scars created by present parents, and the pursuit of dreams while maintaining family unity. Check out new episodes every Wednesday.
Starring: Patricia Williams
Crutch (TV-MA)
Paramount+
Frank “Crutch” Crutchfield is a Harlem widower with empty-nest plans filled with freedom, money, and fun. Those plans soon get disrupted when his millennial son and free-spirited daughter move back in. Can he navigate these new family dynamics and redefine his priorities? Check out The Neighborhood spinoff on Paramount+ today!
Starring: Tracy Morgan
Mo’ Waffles (TV-MA)
Tubi
When a hip hop legend vanishes before his waffle joint’s opening, his oddball crew must crack the case. While investigating, the crew begins to wonder if one of them could be the culprit. Can they crack the case and deal with the chaos of running a brand-new restaurant? Find out on Tubi today.
Starring: Tina Fears
The Upshaws (TV-MA)
Netflix
Part 7 brings viewers back to Indianapolis for one last chapter with the Upshaw family. Bennie continues to juggle financial pressure, pride, and responsibility, while Regina remains the emotional anchor of the household. Through all the chaos, the Upshaws continue to rise above it all. Check out the grand finale on Netflix today.
Starring: Mike Epps
Roosters (TV-MA) New
Netflix
Mike, Ivo, Daan, and Greg, four Dutch forty-somethings who all feel lost in the new world of empowered women. This tight-knit group of friends in the midst of their crisis of masculinity, each desperately trying to salvage what’s left of their relationships and careers. Check out Season 2 on May 13.
Black Drama Shows
Euphoria (TV-MA)
Max
Season 3 takes place five years after the events of Season 2, moving the characters from high school into their mid-20s. The group is now exploring adult responsibilities, careers, and complex relationships. Rue is still in debt, Nate and Cassie are official, Maddie is in Hollywood, Jules is in art school, and Lexi is a TV assistant. Tune in to the new season every Sunday at 9 p.m.
Starring: Zendaya
Imperfect Women (TV-MA)
Apple TV
The series revolves around the murder of Nancy Hennessy, which shatters the lives of her best friends, Eleanor and Mary. Diving into the complex relationships and secrets of the characters, the pair navigates the aftermath of the tragedy. The two will experience friendship, betrayal, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their loved ones.
Starring: Kerry Washington
A Thousand Blows (TV-MA)
Hulu
This series follows the fortunes of Hezekiah and Alec. The two are best friends newly arrived from Jamaica. Fighting for survival in the violent melting pot of Victorian London’s East End, they come up against Sugar Goodson, a dangerous, veteran boxer. Check out the drama in the new season on Hulu today.
Starring: Malachi Kirby
Divorced Sistas (TV-14)
BET+
Five close friends — Rasheda, Geneva, Naomi, Tiffany, and Bridgette — support each other through divorce, marriage, dating, healing, and friendship struggles. Can they handle the heat while their loyalty and sisterhood bonds are tested? Watch these sistas work together and grow beyond the struggles of everyday Black female life on BET+ today.
Starring: LeToya Luckett
Hijack (TV-MA)
Apple TV
Sam Nelson, a master negotiator, faces a series of life-or-death situations where his skills of persuasion are his only means of survival. In season 2, Sam finds himself in a new hostage situation on a subway train in Berlin, two years later. Can he save himself and his fellow passengers?
Starring: Idris Elba
Boarders (TV-MA)
Tubi
Five black inner-city teenagers are offered scholarships to a prestigious boarding school. When they arrive, they find a world of lush playing fields, cloistered grandeur, and complex social rules which they must quickly decipher. Can they survive the crazy and unfamiliar rules of this upscale school? Check out season three on Tubi today.
Starring: Josh Tedeku
Bandi (TV-MA)
Netflix
The Lafleur family’s lives are upended after the sudden death of their beloved and protective mother, Marilyn. The siblings — aged from 7 to 23 — are left to navigate a harsh reality on the streets of Martinique. Initially united by family loyalty, the siblings’ paths diverge. Some try to stay on the “straight” path, while others are pushed toward criminal activity, including petty theft and, for one brother, full‑scale drug smuggling.
Starring: Djody Grimeau
All’s Fair (TV-MA)
Hulu
A team of female divorce attorneys leave a male-dominated firm to open their own powerhouse practice. Fierce, brilliant, and emotionally complicated, they navigate high-stakes breakups, scandalous secrets, and shifting allegiances—both in the courtroom and within their own ranks. In a world where money talks and love is a battleground, these women don’t just play the game—they change it.
Starring: Niecy Nash-Betts
From (TV-MA)
MGM+
This series unravels the mystery of a nightmarish town that traps all those who enter forever. As the unwilling and terrified residents search for a way out, they must also survive the threats of the forest, including the terrifying nighttime creatures. Check out Season 4 on Sundays at 9 p.m.
Starring: Harold Perrineau
Jupiter Jones (TV-MA) New
ALLBLK
A sharp-witted lawyer and “fixer,” as she navigates high-profile scandals and conspiracies while dealing with her own past. Jupiter Jones is hired by America’s pop princess, Spring Harper, to deal with Baby Blaze, an aging rapper who is blackmailing her. Meanwhile, across the city, Jupiter’s former client, Brodie, escapes from prison.
Related Article: 15 Black Movies on Netflix
Airing
Black Documentaries
Ready to Love (TV-14)
OWN
This dating series explores the real-life dating interactions of sexy, successful, and grown Black men and women in their 30s and 40s. Everyone on the series is looking for lasting love and an authentic relationship. With a unique twist on a typical dating show, this series highlights the men’s observations and experiences in the search for true love. Check out Season 11 on Fridays at 9 p.m.
Starring: Thomas “Nephew Tommy” Miles
The Braxtons (TV-14)
WE TV
Two years after Traci’s passing, the Braxtons reunite to fulfill her wish for the sisters to stay close. Toni, Tamar, Towanda, Trina, and Miss E navigate careers, health challenges, and personal lives, supporting each other and honoring Traci’s legacy. The sisters will also navigate new successes, heartbreaks, and ongoing family dynamics. Check out the new season on Fridays at 8 p.m.
Starring: Toni Braxton
The Coach Vick Experience (Not Rated)
BET
Michael Vick is stepping in as a first-time head coach tasked with reigniting Norfolk State’s struggling football program. With the community and the season on the line, Coach Vick must learn the job in real time while building a team hungry for greatness. At its core, this is more than football. Check out the series premiere on Wednesdays at 10 p.m.
Starring: Michael Vick
Black Comedy Shows
Abbott Elementary (TV-PG)
ABC
A group of dedicated teachers – and an oblivious principal – work hard in a Philadelphia public school. Despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life. Though these incredible educators may be outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do — even if they don’t love the school district’s less-than-stellar attitude. Check out Season 5 on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. and on Hulu the next day.
Starring: Quinta Brunson
Ms. Pat Settles It (TV-14)
BET
Ms. Pat brings her brutally honest brand of comedy to the courtroom — along with a jury of family, friends and fellow comedians. Watch her preside over real-life cases and deliver just verdicts with humor and heart. Enjoy a comedic court room with a real life balance. Check out season 3 on Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
Starring: Ms. Pat
The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (TV-14)
NBC
Reggie Dinkins is a former star football player who was disgraced and banned after a gambling scandal. He lives with his son, Carmelo, fiancée Brina, and his former teammate Rusty, and his manager is his ex-wife, Monica. He hires Arthur Tobin, a filmmaker, to produce a documentary about him. Can they make a comeback? Check it out on Mondays at 8 p.m.
Starring: Tracy Morgan
Black Reality Shows
Maxxed Out (Not Rated)
OWN
Money troubles ripple through the lives of close-knit families and friends, testing bonds and forcing difficult choices as they navigate their changing relationships. Financial expert and coach Leah Collins is answering the call of a concerned nominator who has friends or family on the brink of financial collapse. In each emotionally charged episode, Leah confronts the guilty party and helps them fix their bad habits. Check out the new series on Saturdays at 9 p.m.
Starring: Leah Collins
Tamron Hall Show (TV-PG)
WLWT TV
Check out one of television’s highest-rated daytime shows, consistently delivering standout moments that become central to the cultural conversation. Hosted by Emmy Award-winner Tamron Hall, the daily talk show brings a refreshing and relatable voice to the community, enlightening and entertaining the “Tam Fam.” As a seasoned journalist, Hall connects through engaging, topical, and newsmaking interviews, ranging from deeply personal to purely fun. The show is a destination for viewers to connect with stories and people who are shaping our world. Check out season 7 on Mondays at 11 a.m.
Starring: Tamron Hall
Belle Collective: Birmingham (Not Rated)
OWN
OWN’S new series follows serial entrepreneur Stormi Steele as she storms the city to join a group of female entrepreneurs building brands, friendships, and legacies. Power plays, real stakes, and sisterhood unfold on and off the clock. Can these boss ladies handle the heat? Check it out on Fridays at 9 p.m.
Starring: Stormi Steele
Love & Marriage: Huntsville (TV-14)
OWN
The new series centers on the personal and professional lives of five successful, glamourous boss women who are southern belles in Jackson, Mississippi. These dynamic women represent Mississippi’s finest Black female entrepreneurs, determined to break ceilings–glass and otherwise–while shredding long-held stereotypes of the South. They must set aside their differences to redevelop a struggling mid-twentieth century historic district that was once known as the hub for Black-owned businesses. Check out Season 6 on Fridays at 8 p.m.
Starring: Lateshia Pearson
Black Drama Shows
Sistas (TV-14)
BET
Four beautiful African American girlfriends in their 30s navigate the zany dating world in a present-day society. Andi, Karen, Danni, Sabrina, and Fatima navigate the ups and downs of their love lives, careers, and friendships in Atlanta. Can these sistas stick together and make it through life? Check out season 9 on Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
Starring: KJ Smith
Watson (TV-14)
CBS
Six months after Sherlock Holmes’ death at the hands of Moriarty, Dr. John Watson is back to practicing medicine and running a clinic. Studying rare disorders, Dr. Watson has found a new calling. But Watson’s past isn’t done with him yet—he and Moriarty are about to dive into the story’s next chapter. Check out the new season on Mondays at 10 p.m.
Starring: Morris Chestnut
S.W.A.T (TV-14)
CBS
Hondo is an L.A.-born and raised S.W.A.T. Sergeant who leads an elite tactical team in LA law enforcement. Torn between loyalty to his community and his brothers in blue, he works to bridge the divide as he grapples with new parenthood. Rounding out the 20-squad are Deacon, Tan, Powell, and “Miko” Alfaro. Finally, Commander Robert Hicks oversees all of Metro S.W.A.T. With Hondo leading the charge, this team put themselves at risk to save lives. Catch new episodes on Fridays at 10 p.m.
Starring: Shemar Moore
All American (TV-14)
The CW
All American season 7 brings the drama back to where it all began: Beverly Hills High and South Crenshaw High. It’s the same heart, the same NFL dream, the same crosstown rivalry, and more messy hormones ushered in by a new generation of LA teens. A new Beverly coach comes in, and our OG Vortex fam tries to be more responsible. The drama is never-ending. Check out season 7 on Mondays at 9 p.m.
Starring: Daniel Ezra
Beyond the Gates (TV-14)
CBS
Set in one of the most affluent African American counties in the United States, a posh gated community is filled with luxurious mansions. At the center of this community are the Duprees, a powerful and prestigious multi-generational family that is the very definition of Black royalty. But behind these pristine walls and lush, manicured gardens are juicy secrets and scandals waiting to be uncovered. Check it out on Mondays at 2 p.m.
Starring: Maurice Johnson
Related Article: New Black-Led Movies in 2026
There are so many great shows on this list. Break away from Game of Thrones and Stranger Things to check out some of the Best TV Shows with Black Actors. Whether airing on Fox or streaming on AMC, these TV shows are a hit!
Did we miss your favorite Black TV Show? Please let us know what Black TV shows we missed in the comments or at The Voice of Black Cincinnati.
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Best TV Shows with Black Actors photo provided by © [bernardbodo] /Adobe Stock
South Side streaming on HBOMAX.