The best Black-led TV shows of 2022
Stacker looked at Metacritic data on all 2022 TV series and ranked the top 20 that largely involved Black writers, creators, directors, or actors.
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Warner Bros. Television
Black-led television series have been around for decades, beginning in the '70s with sitcoms like "Good Times" and "Diff'rent Strokes," paving the way for classics like "Family Matters," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and "The Cosby Show."
These shows presented Black characters as more than the stereotypical roles TV previously offered. They also got the ball rolling for modern shows with Black-led casts and crews. As the concept of representation becomes something the media is more conscious about, data and studies have shown the importance of Black people seeing characters who look like themselves on TV, suggesting such representation helps young people develop strong identities.
Though there's still a long way to go before Black people are truly and properly represented in the media, lately we've seen strides in more diverse television casts, creators, directors, and writers. Many Black creators strive to incorporate themes of race, identity, and the Black experience in their work, making it relatable to those with shared experiences and offering another perspective for others. In the '70s, "The Jeffersons" was one of the first TV shows centering a Black family, demonstrating both the complexity and normalcy of life as a Black person in the Western world. Now, Black TV shows and series with Black leads are staples—often award-winning—in various households.
Stacker looked at Metacritic data on all 2022 TV series, including miniseries, and ranked the top shows that either starred, centered on, or were largely created or written by Black people. To qualify, the series had to have at least seven reviews.
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Warner Bros. TelevisionBlack-led television series have been around for decades, beginning in the '70s with sitcoms like "Good Times" and "Diff'rent Strokes," paving the way for classics like "Family Matters," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," and "The Cosby Show."
These shows presented Black characters as more than the stereotypical roles TV previously offered. They also got the ball rolling for modern shows with Black-led casts and crews. As the concept of representation becomes something the media is more conscious about, data and studies have shown the importance of Black people seeing characters who look like themselves on TV, suggesting such representation helps young people develop strong identities.
Though there's still a long way to go before Black people are truly and properly represented in the media, lately we've seen strides in more diverse television casts, creators, directors, and writers. Many Black creators strive to incorporate themes of race, identity, and the Black experience in their work, making it relatable to those with shared experiences and offering another perspective for others. In the '70s, "The Jeffersons" was one of the first TV shows centering a Black family, demonstrating both the complexity and normalcy of life as a Black person in the Western world. Now, Black TV shows and series with Black leads are staples—often award-winning—in various households.
Stacker looked at Metacritic data on all 2022 TV series, including miniseries, and ranked the top shows that either starred, centered on, or were largely created or written by Black people. To qualify, the series had to have at least seven reviews.
You may also like: Famous TV shows that ended in controversy
