Black women in Hollywood have always been an elite group in the entertainment industry. Top singers, dancers, rappers, poets, commentators, hosts and creators are Black women. No surprise television in 2024 agrees. He’s a list of nine of our favorite shows and movies with Black women leads.
“Abbott Elementary,” Quinta Brunson
In 2021, Brunson took the sitcom world by storm with a mockumentary-style sitcom centered on a group of passionate, overworked teachers at a Philadelphia public school. The story primarily follows Janine Teagues, an optimistic second-grade teacher who is determined to make a difference, despite the challenges posed by underfunding, quirky colleagues, and sometimes unhelpful administration. Created by Brunson, “Abbott Elementary” has received over 200 industry nominations in three years, including four Emmy wins.
“Queenie,” Dionne Brown
“Queenie” is a British drama-comedy series based on Candice Carty-Williams' novel of the same name. The story centers on Queenie Jenkins, a 25-year-old Jamaican-British woman navigating life in South London. The series follows her journey from hitting rock bottom to rebuilding her life through self-discovery, therapy, and the support of her family and friends. The show balances humor with a deep exploration of Queenie's personal growth and the complexities of identity, relationships, and cultural expectations.
“How to Die Alone,” Natasha Rothwell
"How to Die Alone" is a Hulu original comedy-drama series created by and starring Natasha Rothwell. It centers on Mel, a broke, Black, plus-sized airport worker who is stuck in a rut and has never experienced true love. After a brush with death, she embarks on a transformative journey to overcome her fears, confront her insecurities, and start truly living. The series highlights Mel’s struggles with her body image, complicated family dynamics, and romantic relationships, blending relatable humor with poignant life lessons. Rothwell delivers a standout performance in a story that champions growth and vulnerability, making it both comedic and deeply heartfelt.
“The Bear,” Ayo Edebiri
Before you protest, hear us out: Yes, “The Bear” is about a white family in Chicago grieving and dealing with the loss of a family member and potential loss of a family business. On the call sheet, Jeremy Allen White is number one. In the reality we operate in, Ayo is numero uno! In three short seasons, Ayo stole our hearts, made us laugh and cast a huge shadow on the show’s “star.” We love “The Bear” because we love Ayo.
“Loot,” Maya Rudolph
“SNL” alum Maya Rudolph plays Molly who, after divorce, finds herself a billionaire. Dealing with a separation she never expected, she returns to the workforce. Ready to save the world, she dives into charitable work and slowly discovers her liberation and independence. The second season delves deeper into her personal growth, highlighting her journey to redefine herself beyond her divorce and wealth. It all sounds and looks very familiar (hey, MacKenzie, hey, Melinda!).
“Shirley,” Regina King
Who better to play the late Congresswoman Shirley Chisolm than Hollywood’s Mrs. Unbought and Unbossed, Regina King? King first graced our screens in 1985. Almost 40 years later, she’s still showing up as that girl. In Netflix’s “Shirley,” King plays Shirley Chisholm, our first Black congresswoman and the first woman and person of color to campaign for the U.S. presidency. No, she didn’t win the presidential election, but 52 years later, Regina King portrayed her in her own Biopic. Sounds like a win to us.
“9-1-1,” Angela Bassett
“9-1-1” isn’t new, but Angela Bassett didn’t become one of television's highest-paid actresses until 2024. Bassett's character, Athena, is a seasoned LAPD patrol sergeant known for strong leadership, intelligence, and compassion. Athena balances her demanding job with the challenges of her personal life, including her relationships and family dynamics. Throughout the series, she demonstrates resilience and determination, handling intense situations like emergencies, investigations, and personal crises with grace and authority.
“Found,” Shanola Hampton
You may know Shanola Hampton as Veronica in the throwback Showtime original show, “Shameless.” For 11 seasons, Hampton played the best friend and neighbor to one of the most complicated white families in TV history. Now she’s back in a different kind of savior/complex role. Hampton plays Gabi Mosely, a woman who takes her power back by holding the man who kidnapped her as a child hostage. She uses him to save those in similar situations. If you can stomach human trafficking, pedophilia, physical assaults, etc. you’ll love to see Shanola getting down.
“Wicked,” Cynthia Enrivo
“Wicked” is a popular Broadway musical that reimagines the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz.” Premiering on Broadway in 2003, Wicked has broken Gershwin Theater records for more than 20 times. Now fast forward to 2024 and we have a Black woman as lead. Cynthia being Elphaba is not only a great figure of representation for Black theater lovers; she's also carrying the cast on the soundtrack. Only a hater would disagree.
Playing historic and fascinating people, these nine Black women promote the idea that the first step to narrative shift is doing things your own way. One of The Lighthouse’s Programmatic Principles is “personal definitions.” We believe one of the most powerful things one can do for herself is define herself; we hope you find such power. Let these inspired ladies—both fiction and not—to lead you to a better, more aware you.