Netflix shows its alignment to the “Black Lives Matter” movement as it brings to its subscribers seven classic television series featuring people of colour.
Showing its support to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement in its own way, this week onward, Netflix is adding seven legendary television shows, which feature people of colour, for its viewers.
Highlights:
- Netflix’s ‘Strong Black Lead’ initiative
- Seven classic shows coming to Netflix
- Your favourite comedies may get reboots
A sanguine decision in the midst of the anti-racism movement in America, the streaming platform is bringing to its viewers some of the best comedies with predominantly coloured casts. The line-up includes, Moesha, The Game, Sister, Sister, Girlfriends, The Parkers, Half & Half and One on One, and will be premiering between August 1 and October 15.
Netflix’s ‘Strong Black Lead’ initiative
In 2017, Netflix launched its ‘Strong Black Lead’ initiative to add variety and balance to its content. The idea was to promote and produce shows not just with coloured protagonists, but uplift a community that has been oppressed for too long by bringing their rich culture to the forefront.
This initiative was started by Myles Worthington, manager of brand and editorial at Netflix. After coming to Netflix, he realised that they had no department dedicated to stories of people with colour, and thus, decided to do it himself. While talking about his dedication to cinema featuring coloured people, he said,
“The essences of the world weren’t writing about our content, because we weren’t pointing out the projects that catered to what the Black audience was looking for. So I was like ‘Oh, okay. I’m going to start trying some things out!’”
Ever since, several shows came to the fore that not only had actors of colour, but also crew members from the community working behind the scenes. This has been promoted through its Twitter handle @strongblacklead. Halle Berry’s classic movie B*A*P*S* was announced to be coming to Netflix in April 2019 via Twitter, and the announcements haven’t stopped since.
Seven classic shows coming to Netflix
UPN 1996 sitcom Moesha starring Brandy Norwood has already premiered on Netflix on August 1. On August 15, the first three seasons of the 2006 comedy-drama The Game will arrive on Netflix, followed by the teen sitcom Sister, Sister featuring identical twins Tia and Tamera Mowry, on September 1. On September 11, the streaming service will begin airing the 2000 sitcom Girlfriends after which family comedy, The Parkers will air on October 1. The final two sitcoms, Half & Half and One on One will be available on October 15.
Netflix, through its @strongblacklead Twitter handle, announced this news to the delight of not just the general public, but even celebrities. Chloe X Halle expressed her excitement about the upcoming comedies.
Bradley Edwards and Jasmyn Lawson, who run the @strongblacklead handle, said in an interview with Deadline why it was crucial for them to start diversifying entertainment, “These shows made us laugh and cry and sing along with those catchy theme songs. And mostly importantly, we felt like we saw ourselves on screen – in some cases for the very first time. Every week, we were able to tune in to see people, families and friends that looked like us and characters whose everyday ups and downs reflected the Black life in an authentic way.”
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Some of your favourite comedies might be getting reboots soon
There is more good news. A lot of these comedies might be getting their own revivals and reboots. There has long been news of Moesha’s renewal and it seems like it is in the initial stages of works. Lead actress Brandy Norwood confirmed, “Yeah! Absolutely. I’m here to solidify that we’re going to bring Moesha back,” at an event in 2019.
Earlier there were discussions to bring back The CW series, The Game but they fell through. Girlfriends had a mini-reunion in an episode of Black-ish last year, and ever since, fans have even started a petition to bring the series back. Once all seven shows are on Netflix, the public response to them might play a major role in determining which show has enough potential to get its own reboot. Till then, grab some popcorn and enjoy this flood of some of the best comedies ever made.
Are you excited about these comedies arriving on Netflix? Which one are you looking forward to the most? Write to us in the comments section below.
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