19 TV Shows Where Black Women Get to Be Morally Grey Instead of Perfect

For a long time, TV shows often portrayed Black women as perfect and selfless, existing only to help others. Now, we’re seeing a shift. Shows are finally exploring more realistic and complex characters – Black women who are ambitious, flawed, and sometimes even make bad choices. These characters prioritize their own needs and desires, even if it means doing things that aren’t always morally right. And audiences are connecting with them, flaws and all, enjoying the drama and unpredictability they bring. The following series showcase Black women navigating these morally ambiguous situations.

‘Scandal’ (2012–2018)

Olivia Pope is a powerful crisis manager in Washington, D.C., specializing in protecting the images of the nation’s most influential figures. She’ll go to extreme lengths – including manipulating elections and concealing crimes – to safeguard their positions, all while secretly being involved with the President. Her need to be in control frequently pushes her to make questionable and even dangerous choices, blurring the lines of morality and putting herself at risk. Olivia demonstrates that succeeding in the high-stakes world of political damage control often means making difficult compromises and getting involved in messy situations.

‘How to Get Away with Murder’ (2014–2020)

As a huge fan of legal dramas, I was completely captivated by Annalise Keating. She’s this incredibly smart law professor and attorney who’s a master at bending the rules to get results. But things quickly get complicated – she and her students end up caught in the middle of murder after murder, and she’ll do absolutely anything to keep them out of jail. It’s clear her tough exterior and even her drinking stem from a really difficult past. What’s so fascinating is how she flips between appearing totally vulnerable and being this shockingly powerful, manipulative force. It makes her a really compelling, if flawed, character.

‘Empire’ (2015–2020)

After serving seventeen years in prison, Cookie Lyon is back and determined to take her rightful place in the family’s powerful music empire. She’s a force to be reckoned with, using her sharp wit and fearless attitude to control her family and win against rivals in the business world. Though she deeply loves her sons, Cookie is willing to do whatever it takes to build a lasting legacy. She’s known for being bold, honest, and completely herself – a truly unforgettable character.

‘Power’ (2014–2020)

Tasha St. Patrick begins as the wife supporting her husband’s drug operation, but she quickly becomes deeply involved herself. She handles the finances and makes shrewd choices to protect her family, even encouraging her husband to continue his criminal activity. As she evolves, Tasha is willing to betray those she cares about and even resort to violence to ensure her own survival, proving she’s just as ruthless and powerful as any drug lord.

‘Snowfall’ (2017–2023)

Louie Saint initially acts as a steadying influence for her nephew, Franklin, but she quickly evolves into a powerful and ambitious drug lord. She cuts out the middleman, dealing directly with suppliers to solidify her control in the crack cocaine trade. Ultimately, her increasing greed and need for independence create deep divisions, fracturing the family she once helped to unite. Louie’s story demonstrates how power can corrupt and the heavy consequences of unchecked ambition.

‘Claws’ (2017–2022)

Desna Simms runs a nail salon in Florida, but it’s secretly a cover for washing money for the mafia. She wants a better future for her autistic brother and the women who work for her, but she keeps getting more involved in criminal activity. Desna is fiercely loyal to her friends, which often leads her to violence and forces her to make difficult alliances. She’s a caring person, but also tough and determined to survive in a dangerous world.

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Angela Abar is a police detective who wears a mask while working in a city struggling with racial conflict and where citizens taking the law into their own hands is forbidden. She goes beyond the rules – using force and conducting unauthorized investigations – to expose a dangerous white supremacist plot that threatens her community. In her pursuit of justice, Angela often crosses the line between being a police officer and a vigilante. She’s also haunted by the past, fighting battles similar to those her grandfather faced and dealing with the lasting emotional wounds of her family’s history.

‘Yellowjackets’ (2021– )

Taissa Turner is a successful politician with a hidden past. As a teenager, she experienced a traumatic event in the wilderness, and those buried memories now haunt her. She’s willing to do almost anything to win an election, but her efforts are destroying her personal life. Taissa begins sleepwalking, revealing a disturbing and violent side of herself that puts her family – her wife and son – in danger. Her story shows how deeply buried trauma can fuel extreme ambition and destructive behavior.

‘Industry’ (2020– )

Harper Stern is a young American working in London who faked her college records to get a job at a top investment bank. She’s willing to use and hurt others to get ahead in the competitive world of finance. Driven by a need to prove herself and conceal her past, Harper embodies the harsh, results-oriented mindset often needed to succeed in today’s business world.

‘Swarm’ (2023)

Dre is a dangerously devoted fan whose obsession with a pop star leads her to commit violent murders nationwide. She feels no remorse for her victims, driven solely by a need to protect her idol’s reputation. The story is a disturbing look at one-sided fan relationships and the dangers of untreated mental illness. Dre is a chilling character who makes the audience see the world from a killer’s perspective.

‘Good Girls’ (2018–2021)

Facing overwhelming medical bills for her daughter, Ruby Hill starts robbing stores and hiding the money to pay for treatment. This creates a painful conflict for her, as she’s a religious woman married to a police officer, yet increasingly involved in crime. Driven by desperation and a mother’s love, she surprisingly becomes skilled at committing these crimes, rationalizing her actions as necessary for her daughter’s well-being. Ruby’s story highlights how a breakdown in systems can lead even well-intentioned people to make difficult and unlawful choices.

‘Marvel’s Luke Cage’ (2016–2018)

Mariah Dillard begins as a Harlem councilwoman determined to distance herself from her family’s criminal past. However, she ultimately accepts her roots and evolves into a powerful and merciless crime boss, willing to eliminate anyone who opposes her. This change, fueled by tragedy and a desire for control, makes Mariah a uniquely complicated villain within the world of superheroes.

‘Underground’ (2016–2017)

I’ve been learning about Ernestine, and her story is just heartbreaking. She’s the head house slave, and she’s constantly having to play a dangerous game to protect her kids. Imagine having to use things like poison and even… well, let’s just say manipulation, just to survive. It’s awful to think about, and her choices aren’t always ‘good,’ but you have to understand she had absolutely no power or freedom. She’s forced to make impossible decisions. Ernestine really shows you the terrible price people paid, and the sacrifices they made, just to get through slavery.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

Allison Hargreeves has the ability to change reality simply by spreading rumors, and she frequently uses this power for her own benefit. She leverages it to boost her acting career and manipulate others into doing what she wants. As she becomes increasingly heartbroken and desperate, she betrays her family and makes a deal with their father that alters the entire universe. Allison’s story demonstrates the dangerous allure of having complete control over people.

‘Greenleaf’ (2016–2020)

As a lifelong movie fan, I’m always fascinated by complex characters, and Lady Mae Greenleaf is definitely one of them. She’s the head of a huge church in Memphis, but her priority isn’t necessarily what’s right, it’s keeping up appearances. She’ll go to great lengths to cover up her family’s mistakes, and honestly, she’s really good at manipulating people to stay in control. She comes across as icy and doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind – it’s like a shield to protect everything she’s built. What’s really interesting is how she twists religious texts to justify her actions; she’s a master strategist, always playing the game.

‘Reasonable Doubt’ (2022– )

Jax Stewart is a successful lawyer who defends people, even if it means stretching the limits of the law. While going through a difficult divorce, she often walks a fine line ethically and gets involved with complicated relationships that cross professional boundaries. Though she appears strong and in control, Jax is privately struggling with past trauma and the consequences of her choices. She’s most comfortable operating in the ambiguous space between right and wrong, where she can use her skills to both achieve justice and manipulate the system.

‘P-Valley’ (2020– )

Autumn arrives at The Pynk nightclub using a false identity and money from a bad past relationship. She’s determined to start over, but relies on manipulation and lies to keep her secrets hidden. Driven by a strong will to survive, she often makes selfish decisions that could endanger the club and the people who work there. Ultimately, Autumn does what she needs to do to move forward, no matter the cost.

‘Top Boy’ (2011–2023)

Jaq is a key figure in an East London drug gang, responsible for carrying out violence and intimidating others. Despite her tough exterior, she’s fiercely protective of her sister and girlfriend, constantly struggling to shield them from the dangers of her life. She’s torn between her loyalty to the criminal world and her desire to be a good sister and partner, all while surviving in a harsh environment where showing weakness can be deadly.

‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)

Arabella is a writer struggling to heal after a sexual assault. She’s also battling writer’s block and dealing with substance abuse. As she works through her trauma, she can be self-focused and unintentionally hurts her friends. Her path to recovery isn’t easy – she makes mistakes and causes pain to those who care about her as she tries to find peace. Arabella’s story is a realistic and unflinching portrayal of a survivor who is flawed and imperfect.

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

2025-12-06 22:16