For two years, the movie and television industries have been stagnant. Filming slowed down because of the pandemic as mandates regarding gatherings prevented production. Now that things are beginning to normalize, the industry is coming back with a vengeance. For the first time in a long time, there are so many shows that we are excited for — and that don’t feel like the same hackneyed plot lines over and over again. If you’re looking for some black-led TV shows to get excited about in 2022, start with these!
1) Bel-Air
Source: IMDB
A reboot of the popular 90s sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Bel-Air” is a dramatic take on the life of Will Smith. The show follows the same general storyline, where Smith, a rebellious teenager, is uprooted from his tough-kid life in Philadelphia to live with his aunt and uncle in California. “Bel-Air,” however, is set in present-day America and is expected to reflect many contemporary issues from a serious angle, where the original was a lighthearted comedy. “Bel-Air” premiers on Peacock on February 13, 2022.
2) Naomi
Source: TV Line
So rarely do we see a sci-fi coming-of-age story about a nerdy black girl. “Naomi” ticks every box, and we couldn’t be more excited! “Naomi” is a superhero drama about Naomi McDuffie, who you may recognize from the DC Universe. With Ava DuVernay attached to the project, it’s bound to be one to watch. “Naomi” premiered on January 11, and airs weekly on the CW.
3) Euphoria (Season 2)
Source: Time Magazine
Filming for “Euphoria” was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it’s back and better than ever. This is the show that everyone is talking about right now. Zendaya’s performance as Rue Bennett is a stark change from her previous roles, which makes her acting chops all the more impressive. The show is an eye-opening look at modern American high school; “Euphoria” tells the story of Rue, a 17-year-old drug addict, and her circle of equally troubled friends. Catch “Euphoria” now on HBO Max.
4) Archive 81
Source: Radio Times
You may be familiar with the “Archive 81” found-footage horror podcast, which inspired the show. Mamoudou Athie stars in this time-bending Netflix thriller as Dan, an archivist who is hired to restore a bunch of camcorder tapes from the 1990s. As Dan works, it quickly becomes apparent that something sinister is amiss. The show has had an excellent reception so far: a 95% rating on Google, a 90% Rotten Tomatoes rating, 4 out of 5 stars from Heaven of Horror, and a perfect 10 out of 10 from Comic Watch. This is one that horror fans really don’t want to miss out on. Watch season 1 on Netflix.
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