So your Netflix free trial ended and your homie won’t let you borrow their login. Maybe you’re “in between blessings” and your payment didn’t go through for your subscription this month. Never fear, you needn’t cancel your “come over and chill” plans just yet.
I’m a big fan of web series, particularly those written by and starring people of color. It’s no secret that our representation on the small and silver screen isn’t that great, but the creative genius of web series shouldn’t be overlooked. Most of us have heard of Issa Rae’s Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl but I’ve got comedies to dramedies and everything else in between that will fill your Saturday afternoon with laughter and entertainment.
7 Black Web Series you Should Binge Watch Now
No Shade
Genre: Dramedy; LGBTQ
Current Season: 1 (no new episodes)
About: No Shade is a fun LGBT theme dramedy web series based in NYC which follows the life of Noel Baptiste (David Brandyn), a gay artist from Brooklyn, NY who finally comes to grips with his sexuality and is now comfortable in his own skin. During his self discovery his 3 crazy friends, Bar manager Eric D. Stone (Terry Torro), Dance teacher Kori Jacobs (Donnie DuRight) and transgender-female make-up artist Danielle Williams (Tamara M. Williams) accompany him on his journey for love, success and evolution.
I’m still waiting on a Season 2 but, I’m not holding my breath. The first season is still a really good watch and can be done in less than half a day of marathon watching.
Season 1 – Episode 1
Compersion
Genre: Drama; Romance; Polyamory
Current Season: 1 (currently in production)
About: A provocative drama about a couple exploring open marriage.
I’ve totally enjoyed watching this series. They’ve JUST started so, it’s not as much a binge watch as a “catch up” on a new series. They’re only 3 episodes in at the time of this post. It’s so interesting because polyamory isn’t really talked about much in the Black community outside of very small segments of our people. It’s not raunchy but it’s definitely provocative.
Season 1 Episode 1
Dear Jesus
Genre: Drama; Romance; Comedy
Current Season: 4 (Production Ended)
About: Dear Jesus follows Mercedes, a young fashion journalist whose life is thrown into disarray and finds solace in her prayers which she writes down in her laptop.
Sadly, this show just wrapped production forever. The upside is you can watch the entire series without worrying about spoilers from the release of a new episode. The sad part is, the final season’s cliffhanger leaves many unanswered questions. The series creator decided to end production after operating in the red for so long. *tears*
Season 1 Episode 1
Get Your Life
Genre: Comedy
Current Season: 1 (Season 2 Unknown)
About: Diehard New Yorker, funny girl comedian, Amanda Seales, is faced with a series of shenanigans that have her questioning if NY truly hearts her. Will she stay in the City or make the move to the west coast? Created by and starring Amanda Seales.
There are so many cameos, including one from Cree Summer aka Freddie Brooks! This series is hilarious and the first season is only a few episodes long. It’s one of two from Issa Rae that will be included on this list.
Season 1 Episode 1
The Choir
Genre: Dramedy; LGBTQ
Current Season: 2 (Production Unknown)
About: Dramedy that follows the United Church of Holy Christ in Fellowship’s choir as they attempt to rebuild their dying congregation. Join the church choir as they band together to try to find new, innovative — sometimes inappropriate — ways to make the church thrive as it once did!
I actually am ready to physically fight Issa Rae about this show. She got me turned out watching it then suddenly production of new episodes…stopped. I even became a Patreon of her work so I could hope to get new episodes but alas, no dice. She was probably busy with her new HBO series. So she gets a pass. For now.
Season 1 Episode 1
Jenifer Lewis & Shangela
Genre: Comedy
Current Season: 1 (Production on Hold)
About: “Jenifer Lewis and Shangela,” a scripted series, follows the comic adventures of Ms. Lewis and D.J. Pierce (aka “Shangela) as the show biz mega-diva mentors the up-and-coming drag performer, who lives in the basement apartment of her Hollywood mansion.
Season 1 Episode 1
Sexless
Genre: Drama; Romance; Comedy
Current Season: 2 (In Production)
About: Sexless follows the lives and loves of four girlfriends, two who are virgins, one who is celibate but a hopeless romantic, and one who is highly sexual and (somewhat) unapologetic about it.
So you’ll only get SOME of the episodes for free from this series and any Black & Sexy series, really. Their full length home comes with a monthly subscription over at Black & Sexy on VHX
Season 1 Episode 1
This list isn’t exhaustive, but it should get your Saturday poppin’ if you’re looking for some new shows to watch.
Do you have a favorite that I missed? Leave me a comment so I can get my binge watch on too!
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Check out the new series I wrote and created called “202” https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC9MGvEkv7YWWMLDiWVLpJw
Will be sure to do!!
you should check out this web series, Threesome, it is hilarious and shot very well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsWa_NY6tRM
I’m watching it now! I’ll do an update to this list this year!
Just stumbled across a new black animated show on youtube that is pretty good. They’ve got about 6 episodes, so binge watch away.