As the television library grows apace,video behind the scenes the sex dub there are still embarrassingly few American TV shows devoted entirely to people of color. The good news is that's changing rapidly, and there have never been more heartfelt, layered shows about families of color than there are now.
So if coronavirus-related social distancing measures have you turning to your list of television shows to watch, bump up these titles and relish some brilliant, nuanced storytelling that happens to have POC at its center.
Note: Even though these are shows about families, not all of them are kid-friendly. ABC's sitcoms might be a better choice for the whole family than, say, Ramy, but everyone of course has different standards.
black-ish
Black excellence, Johnson family edition. Credit: abc When black-ishdebuted in 2014, not since the early days of Modern Family had there been such joy in watching a nuclear unit stumble through the ins and outs of daily life. The Johnsons are wealthy, attractive, and stylish, but dad Andre lives in perpetual fear of his kids disconnecting from their blackness, and him by extension. It manifests in small life choices he sees them make as much as in massive cultural moments like the 2016 election and an episode devoted entirely to police brutality against black people.
Where to watch: Hulu
Fresh Off the Boat
Randall Park, Ian Chen, and Constance Wu on ABC's 'Fresh Off the Boat.' Credit: abc It might not explicitly follow the Eddie Huang memoir on which it's based, but Fresh Off the Boathas so many gifts to offer, not least of which is that it was a mainstream network comedy about a Chinese family. Every family member is a singular delight, none more than Constance Wu's Jessica — dry and witty but willing to fight or befriend anyone to protect and help her family.
Where to watch: Hulu
Jane the Virgin
Justin Baldoni as Rafael, Gina Rodriguez as Jane, Ivonne Coll as Alba, Andrea Navedo as Xo and Jaime Camil as Rogelio in the 'Jane the Virgin' Season 1 finale. Credit: Patrick Wymore/The CW If you want to spend time with a truly modern and model American family, look no further than Jane the Virgin's central trio of women and the love they spread everywhere. The Villanuevas are a family, but that word extends to include Jane's husband, her unplanned child by artificial insemination, the baby's father, and the baby's father's ex wife. It includes grandmother Alba's beau Jorge and Jane's estranged father, international telenovela star Rogelio de la Vega. And if you watch even one episode of the show, it includes you as you embark on a wild, wonderful ride with these unique characters.
Where to watch: Netflix
Ramy
Maysa (Hiam Abbass), Ramy (Ramy Youssef), and Farouk (Amr Waked). Credit: Craig Blankenhorn / Hulu Ramyis as much about the title character's nuclear family as it is about his own misadventures in his 20s. The Egyptian-American family's interactions and community will look familiar to many people from immigrant families, including controversial yet comical conversations about school and relationships (sometimes featuring a racist uncle). Ramy's mother and sister even get spotlight episodes, both of which are breathtaking in entirely unique ways as they navigate the additional complication of being Muslim women.
Where to watch: Hulu
One Day at a Time
Marcel Ruiz, Rita Moreno, Justina Machado, Todd Grinnell, Isabella Gomez on 'One Day At a Time.' Credit: Michael Yarish / NEtflix With its laugh track and multicam setup, plus the fact that it's literally a reboot of a 45-year-old show, One Day at a Timefeels in some ways like a throwback. But the familiar format feels comforting, not stale, and the premise — three generations of a Cuban-American working-class family live together in LA's rapidly gentrifying Echo Park neighborhood — couldn't feel more modern. Combining big laughs, deep emotion, and Rita Frickin' Moreno, One Day at a Timeis a balm for the soul. — Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor
Where to watch: Netflix
Kim's Convenience
Jean Yoon, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Andrea Bang as the Kim family. Credit: Much like fellow Canadian darling, Schitt's Creek, Kim's Convenienceoperates in a small world with a family of four as they try to live their lives without driving each other crazy. Janet just wants to get through art school without her parents completely snapping, but she's careful after their estrangement from her brother Jung. The convenieRance store ties the story together, brings some ... eclectic characters into their lives, and operates like any sitcom living room — it's an entry point into the inner lives of this family.
Where to watch: Netflix
Brown Nation
Rajeev Varma and Shenaz Treasury as Hasmukh and Dimple (featuring Kapil Bawa as Dimple's father) on 'Brown Nation.' Credit: netflix A married couple is a family unit unto itself, as evidenced by Hasmukh and Dimple on this hidden Netflix gem. Their lives are full enough with Dimple's burgeoning acting career, Hasmukh's startup, and the looming presence of Dimple's father over every move they make. There isn't even a forced Bollywood number (though there is a truly fabulous rap video).
Where to watch: Netflix
Survivor's Remorse
Teyonah Parris, Tichina Arnold, Erica Ash, Mike Epps, Jessie Usher, and RonReaco Lee on 'Survivor's Remorse.' Credit: Don't let the grim title fool you: Survivor's Remorseis a breezy watch for grownups, chronicling the ups and downs of a hot young basketball star and his lovable extended family. (Think Entouragebut less annoying, and with even less basketball than Entouragehad acting.) Even when it delves into weightier topics like class, colorism, and abuse, it never loses its cheeky sense of humor, or its warm, affectionate vibe. — A.H.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Gentefied
Julissa Calderon leads a charge as Yessika Flores on 'Gentefied.' Credit: Kevin Estrada/NETFLIX Netflix's latest (based on a Sundance miniseries) is the story of three Los Angeles cousins banding together to fight for love, family, and land — the American Dream. Those are some heavy hills to fight and die on, but the series tackles them skillfully and enjoyably.
Where to watch: Netflix
The Carmichael Show
David Alan Grier as Joe Carmichael, Loretta Devine as Cynthia Carmichael, Jerrod Carmichael as Jerrod Carmichael in 'The Carmichael Show.' Credit: Vivian Zink/NBC The Carmichael Showmay be old-school, but there's nothing fusty about it. Jerrod Carmichael's sitcom is audacious and ambitious, daring to tackle heavy topics head-on and find humor in unexpected places — though it's not afraid to get serious from time to time, either. With a fantastic cast that includes Tiffany Haddish, Lil Rel Howery, and Loretta Devine, The Carmichael Showis the one you turn to for easy laughs and difficult conversations. — A.H.
Where to watch: Hulu
Bonus: Pose
Angelica Ross as Candy in Season 2 of 'Pose.' Credit: eric liebowitz/fx You don't have to be blood to be family, and the fantastic mothers and children of Posereinforce that with every episode. Set in the 1980s ballroom scene in New York City, amid the HIV/AIDs crisis and rampant transphobia, Posebrings together the queer and trans community, who stick up for each other when no one else will.
Where to watch: Netflix
Topics Netflix