When you find the perfect Black TV series to stream, it can be an incredible feeling. Whether you like to binge whole seasons in a single sitting, or you like to break your viewings up into small sections that you look forward to each day, or on certain days — there’s no wrong way to stream. And fortunately, there’s somewhat of a decent selection of amazing Black content out there to enjoy. And whether you’re into comedy, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, or drama, we think there’s the perfect Black TV series out there for you!

The challenging part can be narrowing down your search from all of the 500 or so TV shows made every year. In an effort to help, we put together a list of the top Black TV series to stream.

Streaming excellence waits for you no longer!

Here are 7 remarkable Black TV series right now…

The Chi (Drama, 2018 – Ongoing)

“The Chi,” as its name suggests, explores life in Chicago — AKA Chi Town —’s South Side, where dreams and violence can both be parts of everyday life. This series follows the lives of several individuals as they attempt to navigate the complexities of existing in the South Side. The Chi takes a dramatic look at the struggles that Black Americans face, amid the backdrop of South Side Chicago, and weaves powerful acting, narrative, and visual storytelling to create an unforgettable experience that doesn’t hold back when exploring heavy issues.

Starring Jason Mitchell, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Jacob Latimore, and Alex R. Hibbert, the show explores important themes, including systemic racism, loss, and trauma. Watch the trailer here.

Atlanta (Drama, Comedy, 2016 – 2022)

“Atlanta,” from the incredible mind of Donald Glover, takes us into the world of the Atlanta hip hop scene — and explores what it takes to make it in this sometimes confusing industry. The show, starring Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, and Zazie Beetz, explores heavy themes of poverty and the sometimes exploitative nature of the entertainment industry, which Glover has masterfully woven in with his signature levity.

Many viewers love Atalnta for its unabashed portrayal of an often confusing industry, the way it explores heavy topics, and how humor becomes a vehicle for understanding an often complex world. Watch the trailer here.

Ballers (Drama, Comedy, 2015 – 2019)

Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John David Washington, Omar Miller, Donovan W. Carter, London Brown, Jazmyn Simon, and Arielle Kebbel, among others, the show “Ballers” combines comedy and drama with sports, as it explores the high-stakes financial world behind the NFL.

The show comedically explores heavy themes, including that of exploitation and mental health struggles within the world of pro ball. Watch the trailer here.

Black-Ish (Situational Comedy, 2014 – 2022)

From the mind of  Kenya Barris, “Black-Ish,” takes a comedic approach to exploring sometimes heavy topics. Starring Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, and Marsai Martin, the show dives into heavy issues at times, including police brutality, racism in America, and mental health struggles, but does so through a comedic lens. The result is a poignant piece of television that viewers often love. Watch the trailer here.

Lovecraft Country (Horror, Drama, 2020)

For fans of sci-fi and fantasy, “Lovecraft Country” is a can’t-miss. Lovecraft Country explores mid-century America and the struggles that Black Americans faced. As Atticus “Tic” Freeman, played by Jonathan Majors, makes his way across the country in search of his father, encounters dangers both fantastical and historical — a surreal blend of Lovecraftian horror and the real life horror of Jim Crow-era segregation. Further cementing the connection to mid-century struggles of Black Americans, Atticus’ uncle, (played by Courtney B. Vance) who accompanies him on his search, has written a motorist guide for Black Americans — much like the real life “Green Book” that helped many real-life Black Americans navigate the country in the mid century. Watch the trailer here.

Avant-Guardians (Drama, Comedy, 2017)

Avant-Guardians takes a fantasy approach to exploring real-world issues. This web series, created by, and starring, Alesia Etinoff, follows the story of Razz — guardian angel to the 12 year old, destined-to-be future third black president. Razz has a lot to worry about, and the webseries follows her therapy sessions with Dr. Hanniel (played by Zainab Johnson) as she navigates the complex fictional world of being a guardian angel, and the complex real world of being black in America. Etinoff uses the show’s unusual format — in which we follow the life of Charlie through his guardian angel’s therapy sessions — to clearly underscore the complex ways in which Black Americans face unique challenges. You can find the series here.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Situational Comedy, 1990 – 1996)

When it comes to discussing Black TV series to add to your watchlist, it’s hard to overlook The “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Widely regarded as one of the most popular sitcoms of the 1990’s, the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” followed the story of young Will Smith, who plays a fictional version of himself, who is street smart and struggles to fit in in upper-class Bel Air. The show explores some heavy and crucial themes, such as class politics, stereotyping, and even police profiling. Fans loved Smith’s performance and the show was a critical success, running for 6 years, during which time it became regarded as a highly influential classic. Watch the first season trailer here.

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When it comes to creating the perfect watch-list, there’s a ton of great content out there. Sometimes the hard part is just finding the perfect show to watch next. That’s where we come in. Whether you’re looking for more amazing recommendations, or you’re looking for a go-to place where you can stream amazing Black movies and Black TV, we’ve got you covered.

For more articles like this, in-depth explorations, and everything Black in entertainment, movies, and TV, be sure to subscribe to the Black Content Review Newsletter. For an amazing selection of incredible Black stories told in TV and movie format, don’t forget to check out Black Oak TV, where we have an amazing selection of movies and TV shows from incredible Black creators.