10 TV Shows With Black Leads You Should Be Watching

Scandal broke the mold when it comes to modern TV's portrayal of black women with the creation of Washington DC's political mastermind, Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington. Her role in Scandal has made her the first African-American female lead in a hit drama in almost 40 years. As a part of Shonda Rhimes's TGIT, Scandal will give you a taste of White House disgraces, sex, lies, and plenty of drama. The series has taken us on a ride worthy of its accolades and we can't get enough!

Viola Davis plays Annalise Keating in ABC's juicy murder series How to Get Away With Murder. The series is full of suspense, doomed romances, and shocking deaths that Shonda Rhimes is well known for. With anxiety-inducing performances from the rest of the cast — including Alfred Enoch, Aja Naomi King, Billy Brown, and special guest appearances by the legendary Cicely Tyson — each episode will leave you thrilled and on the edge of your seat. If you haven't already immersed yourself in this series of whodunits, you haven't fully lived.

Black-ish has revealed itself to be a comedy that isn't afraid to address controversies head on. It's also the first on this list to feature an all-black cast, including powerhouses like Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jenifer Lewis, and Laurence Fishburne. Together, they perfectly bring the show's hilariously relatable characters to life. Black-ish has been able to illustrate a storyline that is not only humorous but which realistically depicts the identity of a modern black family.

Being Mary Jane centers around Mary Jane Paul as she juggles a successful broadcast journalism career and her complicated family life, all while searching for The One. Starring the gorgeous Gabrielle Union, Being Mary Jane is sexy, smart, and perfectly relatable for any woman trying to create her own happiness in the world. From her amazing wardrobe choices to her terrible taste in men and her refusal to let anything keep her down, Mary Jane is the perfect addition to your TV lineup.

HBO's original series Insecure has been around for only one season and it's already wildly successful. The brainchild of Issa Rae, Insecure has a similar premise to Rae's web series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl. Insecure follows the experience of an awkward but well-meaning black woman and her best friend (played by Yvonne Orji). The two struggle with their careers and relationships but also offer a unique perspective on the black female experience. Rae also frequently raps in the show, so you definitely want to catch that.

Donald Glover writes and stars in the offbeat comedic masterpiece that is Atlanta. Following two cousins and their slacker friend, Atlanta takes the classic wannabe superstar trope and turns it on its head. The show provides a very unique look at the Atlanta rap scene while tackling all things ridiculous in the world, like Bieber fever and internet trolls.

Based on the novel written by Natalie Baszile, Queen Sugar focuses on three estranged siblings who inherit their family's sugarcane farm in Louisiana following the death of their father. The series tackles police brutality, drug addiction, sexual assault, interracial relationships, and more in a way that's poignant and powerful. Queen Sugar showcases the complexity of black lives with an attentiveness to detail that manages to take the show from soap opera to a compelling family saga. Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, and Kofi Siriboe star as the Bordelon siblings and they will have you laughing, crying, and completely shook after each episode.

Dan Fogelman's Pitch focuses on Ginny Baker, a young pitcher who becomes the first woman to play in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres. Ginny, played by Kylie Bunbury, brilliantly illustrates a young black woman being thrust into the limelight while having to deal with the pressures of becoming a history-making athlete. Mo McRae and Meagan Holder bring support as Blip and Evelyn Saunders, Ginny's best friends who will be your new couple goals. And have we mentioned how hot Mark-Paul Gosselaar is as Mike Lawson? Just saying. Fans are so passionate about the series they've even launched a campaign for FOX to #KeepHerInTheGame and give Pitch a second season.

The Breaks came into fruition following a successful television movie. The show follows three friends as they work to make their mark in the '90s hip-hop industry. Much like Netflix's The Get Down, the series heavily relies on music to give a fun look at the black community and shows just how much hip-hop influenced a generation.

Speaking of The Get Down, this '70s-set musical drama set showcases the rise of hip-hop in the South Bronx. The series revolves around a group of inner-city teens as they grow up amid the chaos of a broken community while diving into the world of music, art, and love. There's disco, rap battles, heartbreak, and an amazing soundtrack that you will never get out of your head.