Black Creators Behind Some of the Biggest Streaming Hits

As a total movie and TV buff, I’ve been really noticing how much the streaming world has changed lately. There’s this amazing wave of creators – real storytellers with unique visions – who are landing huge deals and making all the shows everyone’s talking about on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Max. They’re doing everything – intense dramas, weirdly funny comedies, even really compelling historical series. What I love is they seem to really focus on telling genuine stories, and it’s not just entertaining – it’s actually shaping what we all talk about and raising the bar for what good streaming TV can be.

Shonda Rhimes

Shonda Rhimes made a huge impact on streaming when she brought her production company, Shondaland, to Netflix. Her first big series with Netflix, ‘Bridgerton,’ quickly became a worldwide hit and one of the platform’s most popular shows. She also produced ‘Inventing Anna,’ a limited series that drew a lot of viewers when it premiered. Rhimes continues to be a major force in digital media, known for her compelling stories and dramatic series that feature diverse characters.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover is the creative force behind the award-winning show ‘Atlanta,’ which became hugely popular on streaming services. He recently added ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ for Amazon Prime Video to his resume, co-creating and starring in the series. Glover is known for his unique style, mixing dreamlike imagery with insightful observations about society, and his work consistently attracts both critical praise and a large audience. A long-term agreement with Amazon Studios means he’ll continue to create content for the platform.

Issa Rae

Issa Rae first gained attention with her popular web series, ‘The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.’ She then went on to co-create and star in the acclaimed HBO series ‘Insecure,’ which recently found a new audience on Netflix after its five-season run. Rae also created ‘Rap Sh!t’ for Max, a show following two up-and-coming female rappers in Miami. Through her production company, Hoorae, she’s committed to developing new talent and creating content for online viewers.

Ava DuVernay

Ava DuVernay is a highly acclaimed director and writer who has created several successful projects for Netflix. These include the Emmy-nominated limited series ‘When They See Us’ and the impactful documentary ‘13th’, which examines the American prison system. She also created and oversaw ‘Queen Sugar’, a long-running series available on streaming platforms, and collaborated with Netflix again on ‘Colin in Black & White’, a series detailing the early life of Colin Kaepernick.

Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele’s production company, Monkeypaw Productions, has been key in developing thought-provoking shows and movies for streaming platforms like Amazon Prime Video. He was an executive producer and narrator for the reboot of ‘The Twilight Zone’ on Paramount+, and produced the drama ‘Hunters,’ featuring Al Pacino, which aired for two seasons on Amazon. Peele’s creative approach has also had a significant impact on the horror genre, sparking many new digital projects and partnerships.

Ryan Coogler

Ryan Coogler’s production company, Proximity Media, has a new five-year deal with Disney+ to create shows and series. One project in development is a series set in Wakanda, building on the world he created in the ‘Black Panther’ movies. Coogler also produced the highly praised film ‘Judas and the Black Messiah,’ which was released on HBO Max at the same time as in theaters. He’s known for successfully combining big-screen movies with in-depth stories for streaming platforms.

Kenya Barris

Kenya Barris is the creator of the popular show ‘black-ish,’ which found a new audience on streaming services like Hulu and Disney+ after airing on television. He later made a deal with Netflix, where he created and starred in the series ‘#blackAF’ and co-created the animated musical special ‘Entergalactic’ with Kid Cudi. His work often uses humor to explore contemporary culture and the complexities of family life.

Michaela Coel

Michaela Coel is a highly acclaimed writer, director, and actress known for her powerful and honest storytelling. She created the hit series ‘I May Destroy You,’ which she also wrote, directed, and starred in, and which explored important and difficult topics like sexual consent and healing. The show, a collaboration between BBC and HBO, was a streaming success on Max and earned Coel an Emmy Award for its exceptional writing. She first gained international recognition with ‘Chewing Gum,’ which she created and starred in, and which became popular after being added to Netflix. Coel’s unique perspective and dedication to authentic storytelling have established her as a leading voice in today’s digital media landscape.

Lena Waithe

Lena Waithe made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing, thanks to her work on ‘Master of None’. She also created and executive produced ‘The Chi’, a popular drama series on Showtime and streaming services. Waithe expanded her work to horror with ‘Them’ on Amazon Prime Video, a series that explores the horrors of racial discrimination in the 1950s. Through her production company, Hillman Grad Productions, she’s dedicated to creating opportunities for underrepresented storytellers in Hollywood.

Barry Jenkins

Barry Jenkins brought Colson Whitehead’s acclaimed novel, ‘The Underground Railroad,’ to life as a ten-episode series on Amazon Prime Video. He directed every episode, creating a visually stunning and immersive experience that tells the story of a woman’s fight for freedom in the pre-Civil War South. The series received widespread praise for its beautiful cinematography and honest portrayal of American history. Jenkins is continuing to create compelling and visually rich stories for streaming platforms, solidifying his reputation as a talented filmmaker.

Mara Brock Akil

As a huge TV fan, I’ve always been impressed with Mara Brock Akil’s work. She created some really iconic shows like ‘Girlfriends’ and ‘The Game’ – and it’s no surprise they found a whole new audience when they landed on Netflix! She’s clearly a force to be reckoned with, which is why Netflix signed her to an overall deal to make even more original content through her Story27 production company. I especially loved ‘Being Mary Jane’ – it was a critical success and still pops up on streaming services all the time. What I really appreciate about her shows is how she focuses on the lives of Black women – their careers, relationships, everything – and tells those stories with such authenticity.

Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen’s ‘Small Axe’ series, which he directed and co-wrote, was a critical hit on Amazon Prime Video. The five-film collection tells the stories of London’s West Indian community between the 1960s and 1980s. This move to television allowed McQueen to create a more detailed and cinematic look at these important historical experiences. The series won many awards, including a Golden Globe for its acting.

Courtney Kemp Agboh

Courtney A. Kemp is the creator of the popular ‘Power’ franchise, which includes several successful spin-offs available on Starz and other streaming platforms. She led the original series as showrunner and continues to guide the ‘Power’ universe as an executive producer. Recently, Kemp signed a deal with Netflix to create new shows beyond the ‘Power’ series. Her work is known for its compelling characters and detailed depictions of crime.

Quinta Brunson

Quinta Brunson is the creative force behind ‘Abbott Elementary,’ the popular mockumentary sitcom that found success on Hulu. The show’s popularity helped bring back the traditional network sitcom style for viewers who primarily watch content online. Brunson’s experience making digital videos at BuzzFeed influenced how she tells stories that are easy to connect with. Now, she has a deal with Warner Bros. TV to keep creating content.

Prentice Penny

Prentice Penny was the creative force behind HBO and Max’s ‘Insecure,’ serving as both showrunner and executive producer throughout its entire run. He also directed the Netflix film ‘Uncorked,’ a story about a father and son navigating the competitive world of wine expertise. Now, Penny has partnered with Disney’s Onyx Collective in a multi-year deal to create new shows and films for Hulu and other streaming services. He’s known for his realistic and insightful depictions of modern Black experiences and the pursuit of career goals.

Boots Riley

Boots Riley recently launched his first TV show, ‘I’m a Virgo,’ a surreal and imaginative series on Amazon Prime Video. The show centers around a teenager who is thirteen feet tall and lives in Oakland, and it’s been praised by critics for its striking visuals and underlying political themes. Moving from filmmaking to streaming television gave Riley the space to fully develop his distinctive style of magical realism. ‘I’m a Virgo’ is truly one of the most creative and visually interesting shows available right now.

Cord Jefferson

Cord Jefferson made a name for himself writing for popular streaming series like HBO’s ‘Watchmen’ – a show that sparked a lot of conversation – and Netflix’s ‘Master of None’ and ‘The Good Place’. He’s known for blending humor and serious themes to explore challenging social topics. This success paved the way for him to direct ‘American Fiction’, a critically acclaimed film that marked his first feature-length directorial work.

Justin Simien

I’ve been following Justin Simien’s career for a while now, and he consistently delivers smart, visually interesting work. He first gained attention with ‘Dear White People,’ which started as a fantastic film in 2014 and then became a really compelling four-season series on Netflix. It brilliantly tackled issues of race and identity within the setting of a prestigious university. More recently, he took on a big studio project with Disney’s 2023 ‘Haunted Mansion,’ proving he can play in different spaces. What I appreciate most about Simien’s films and shows is that they’re not just visually striking – they’re genuinely funny and offer really insightful social commentary.

Misha Green

Misha Green is the creative force behind ‘Lovecraft Country’, an HBO series that uniquely combined horror elements with the historical challenges faced by African Americans during the Jim Crow era. The show was very popular on Max, receiving Emmy nominations and attracting a large audience. Before that, she co-created ‘Underground,’ which gained renewed attention when it moved to streaming platforms. Currently, Green is working on several exciting new projects, including additions to well-known action movie series.

Janine Sherman Barrois

Janine Sherman Barrois led the creative direction of the Netflix series ‘Self Made,’ which was inspired by the life of Madam C.J. Walker. She’s a seasoned television producer with a track record of successful shows, including ‘Claws’ and ‘The Kings of Napa.’ Barrois is known for creating compelling stories centered around powerful women and bringing the stories of underrepresented historical figures to light. She’s currently developing new projects for different streaming services through a deal with Warner Bros. Television.

Please share your favorite shows from these incredible creators in the comments.

2026-01-24 17:19