17 TV Shows That Cast Two Black Leads and Let Them Be Messy and Human

For a long time, Black characters on TV were often relegated to supporting roles or portrayed as perfect role models. Now, we’re seeing a shift towards more realistic and nuanced stories. Modern shows feature Black characters as leads who are allowed to be flawed, make mistakes, and deal with the fallout – all while supporting each other. Viewers connect with these stories because they feel genuine and honest, rather than focused on presenting a perfect image.

‘Insecure’ (2016–2021)

The popular HBO series ‘Insecure’ centers on the lives of best friends Issa and Molly as they deal with the challenges of work, love, and self-discovery in Los Angeles. The show is praised for its realistic portrayal of flawed characters, showcasing their vulnerabilities and poor choices. Throughout the series, viewers see how their actions impact their friendship and relationships. ‘Insecure’ beautifully captures both the joys and struggles of their connection, even amidst uncomfortable moments and mistakes.

‘Atlanta’ (2016–2022)

This comedy follows Earn and his cousin Alfred as they try to make it in Atlanta’s rap world. The show is strange and thought-provoking, exploring issues of race and class without providing simple solutions. Earn and Alfred aren’t heroes – they’re just trying to get by in a weird and difficult world. By showing their imperfections and moments of indifference, the show keeps the unusual story relatable and focused on very human challenges.

‘Empire’ (2015–2020)

The show ‘Empire’ centers on Lucious and Cookie Lyon, a divorced couple locked in a fierce struggle for dominance of their music empire. The series is fueled by their complicated and often manipulative relationship with each other and their children. Their relentless ambition and thirst for power frequently come before family, leading to damaging outcomes. ‘Empire’ drew viewers in with its portrayal of two strong, Black protagonists who were fiercely determined and didn’t apologize for their ambition.

‘Black-ish’ (2014–2022)

Dre and Bow Johnson navigate the challenges of raising their kids in a more affluent community while staying true to their roots. They often disagree on how to parent, revealing their own hidden assumptions and biases along the way. ‘Black-ish’ tackles important social issues with humor, and isn’t afraid to show the parents making mistakes or acting imperfectly. The show works because Dre and Bow are relatable characters who are still growing and learning, even with everything they’ve achieved.

‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)

The series follows Arabella as she processes a sexual assault, alongside her friends Terry and Kwame who are also dealing with their own difficult experiences. It honestly portrays the complexities of consent and what recovery looks like in today’s world, showing how people often make flawed decisions when trying to heal and how those choices can impact their relationships. ‘I May Destroy You’ is celebrated for its realistic depiction of a survivor who isn’t portrayed as flawless.

‘Power’ (2014–2020)

James St. Patrick leads a double life, running a nightclub while secretly controlling a drug operation. His wife, Tasha, is deeply involved in his criminal activities, all while trying to keep their family safe. The show explores how their desire for power and constant deception gradually destroy the couple’s trust in each other. ‘Power’ became incredibly popular by realistically portraying the harsh and violent results of their hidden lives.

‘Queen Sugar’ (2016–2022)

After their father passes away, three long-separated siblings – Nova, Charley, and Ralph Angel – come back to their family’s farm in rural Louisiana to settle the estate. They must overcome old conflicts and personal issues to try and save the farm. The show portrays each sibling as realistically flawed and determined, forcing them to deal with difficult truths about themselves in order to find a path to family healing and reconciliation.

‘P-Valley’ (2020– )

As a total cinema lover, I was really captivated by ‘P-Valley’. It’s a show about the people working at a strip club in the Mississippi Delta, and it’s surprisingly moving. They’re all struggling – financially, with their relationships, just trying to get by. The heart of the show, for me, is the dynamic between Uncle Clifford and Mercedes; it’s this incredible mix of them looking out for each other and also being fierce competitors. What really struck me is how authentically it portrays the culture of the Delta and doesn’t shy away from showing the characters’ flaws and vulnerabilities. It’s powerful because it treats these women as fully realized people with their own choices and complicated lives, not just as objects. It really humanizes their experiences.

‘Lovecraft Country’ (2020)

In the 1950s, Atticus Freeman and Letitia Lewis travel across a segregated America in search of Atticus’s missing father. Their journey is fraught with both the dangers of racism and terrifying creatures inspired by Lovecraftian horror. The series lets its main characters experience fear and anger as they reveal unsettling truths about their families, skillfully blending supernatural events with the harsh realities of segregation.

‘Girlfriends’ (2000–2008)

‘Girlfriends’ follows the lives of Joan, Maya, Lynn, and Toni as they juggle careers, relationships, and the ups and downs of life in Los Angeles. The show is celebrated for its realistic portrayal of female friendships, including the challenges of jealousy and occasional misjudgment. Throughout the series, each woman faces career hurdles and relationship disappointments, which ultimately put their strong friendship to the test. What makes ‘Girlfriends’ so memorable is that it allowed its main characters to be both ambitious and flawed, successful and self-centered – all at the same time.

‘Abbott Elementary’ (2021– )

Janine Teagues and Gregory Eddie are new teachers hoping to improve an under-resourced school in Philadelphia. The show, filmed like a documentary, highlights both their hopeful attitudes and their inexperience, often showing their awkward moments. They depend on the guidance of more experienced teachers as they learn tough lessons about how the school system really works. ‘Abbott Elementary’ finds comedy in the everyday challenges teachers face, but always respects their commitment.

‘Dear White People’ (2017–2021)

‘Dear White People’ follows students of color at a top university as they grapple with issues of identity and navigate complex social dynamics. The series centers on Samantha White, a student who hosts a radio show while also confronting her own personal struggles and hidden truths. It explores the unique pressures faced by successful Black students who feel the weight of representing their entire community. The show doesn’t shy away from portraying its characters as flawed and complicated as they try to find their place in the world.

‘Harlem’ (2021– )

‘Harlem’ follows four friends – Camille, Tye, Quinn, and Angie – as they juggle their careers and love lives in New York City. These women in their thirties aren’t afraid to stumble as they navigate adulthood, and the show honestly portrays the ups and downs of long-term friendship. It’s a realistic look at trying to build a fulfilling life, acknowledging that the path isn’t always easy.

‘Living Single’ (1993–1998)

‘Living Single’ follows Khadijah James and her friends as they navigate life and careers in nineties-era Brooklyn. The show humorously and honestly depicts their dating experiences and professional challenges. The series features a diverse group of characters whose personalities both complement and conflict with each other. Notably, ‘Living Single’ paved the way for other ensemble comedies by centering the relatable, everyday lives of Black women with careers.

‘The Game’ (2006–2015)

Melanie Barnett postpones her dream of medical school to support her boyfriend, Derwin Davis, as he starts his career in professional football. The show transforms from a lighthearted comedy into a more dramatic series that tackles issues like cheating and the temptations that come with fame. Both Melanie and Derwin change a lot throughout the series, sometimes making them difficult to root for. ‘The Game’ realistically shows how being in the public eye can negatively impact a person’s morals and principles.

‘Greenleaf’ (2016–2020)

The Greenleaf family leads a large and influential church in Memphis, but beneath the surface lie numerous scandals and deceptions. Grace Greenleaf returns hoping to reveal the truth, but gets pulled back into the complicated family issues she once tried to leave behind. The show explores the difference between appearing religious and actually living a moral life, using the church setting to tell a story about both the dangers of greed and the possibility of forgiveness.

‘Rap Sh!t’ (2022–2024)

‘Rap Sh!t’ follows Shawna and Mia, two former high school friends who reconnect in Miami with dreams of becoming rappers and gaining popularity online. The show cleverly uses social media visuals to contrast the polished images the characters present to the world with the messy truths of their lives. As they navigate the challenges of the music industry, they grapple with staying true to themselves. Ultimately, the series offers a critical and insightful look at today’s obsession with online status and influence, told through the eyes of two complicated and relatable characters.

Tell us which of these shows featured your favorite complex characters in the comments.

2025-12-07 00:17