As a lifelong horror enthusiast who has seen it all, from the classics like “Night of the Living Dead” to more modern takes like “Get Out,” I can confidently say that these Black-led horror series have truly elevated the genre.
Horror television and its roots go way back, encompassing iconic series such as “The Twilight Zone” and “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” The horror genre has experienced fluctuations over time, but it’s unfortunate that Black-focused horror shows are scarce, given their significant presence in the fanbase. However, the recent resurgence of horror in the 2010s has resulted in several shows with Black leads. Shows like “Black Box” and “The Passage” demonstrate a strong demand for representation within this audience. These series, along with others, skillfully integrate various aspects related to the Black American experience into their storylines.
So, here are nine Black-led TV shows you need to watch your horror fix.
American Horror Story: Coven (2013-14)
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but acknowledge that the FX anthology series “American Horror Story” is renowned for its jaw-dropping plot twists and chilling supernatural horror. And oh boy, the third season was no different! It delved into the lives of witches who were part of the Salem trials, now residing in contemporary New Orleans. Spanning thirteen captivating episodes, this storyline took us on a journey across various centuries, all while keeping tabs on the Miss Academy’s events.
Following the success of “Murder House” and “Asylum,” “American Horror Story: Coven” furthered the terror by interweaving experimental flashbacks, seamlessly transitioning between the present and the group’s past experiences. This captivating miniseries delved into the relationships and daily lives of the coven, while diving deep into themes such as witchcraft, trauma, mortality, and aging. The series also touched upon sexuality, Black mysticism, and supernatural spectacle.
In these situations, Angela Bassett and Gabourey Sidibe delivered exceptional performances. The ensemble significantly enhanced the spellbinding narrative set in New Orleans, with Sarah Paulson, Francis Conroy, Kathy Bates, Jessica Lange, Patti LuPone, Lance Riddick, and Mike Colter also contributing. American Horror Story: Coven garnered widespread critical praise, high viewership, and numerous Golden Globe, Emmy, SAG, Critics’ Choice award wins and nominations. The series’ success paved the way for a follow-up season, titled Apocalypse.
Stream American Horror Story: Coven on Hulu.
Lovecraft Country (2020)
This decade’s groundbreaking HBO show, renowned for its impact among Black dramas, reimagined its popular original content by infusing it with a science fiction element. The series followed a lone male character and his childhood friend/uncle as they embarked on a road trip in the 1950s Jim Crow South to locate the protagonist’s father. (This sentence can be rephrased as: In this HBO drama, which has been hailed for its influence among Black series this decade, the creators gave a fresh take on their best-selling source material by adding science fiction elements. The storyline revolves around a man and his childhood companion/uncle who journey through the Jim Crow South in the 1950s to find the protagonist’s father.)
In “Lovecraft Country,” the Green Book played a pivotal role in portraying racial struggles in America’s Deep South. The show skillfully blended mysterious occurrences with supernatural, horror, and Afrofuturism themes. It’s worth noting that these elements served to underscore the journey of trauma and healing for the characters, as they uncovered truths and secrets along the way.
The acting showcase titled Lovecraft Country, starring Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Courtney B. Vance, and Aunjanue Ellis Taylor, combined various genres. Notably, the supporting cast was also strong and reliable. This captivating series gained significant recognition, including numerous Golden Globe, Emmy, SAG, Critics’ Choice awards and nominations. It even earned a cult following on the internet. Sadly, HBO decided against renewing it for a second season, ending its run prematurely.
Stream Lovecraft Country on Max.
Them (2020-present)
With a Prime Video subscription, you can watch this anthology series that explores America’s racial issues from a Black perspective. It delves into the topic across various timeframes. The initial season portrays a Black American family’s harrowing move from North Carolina to California, while Season 2 focuses on a Black Los Angeles detective unraveling a grisly murder mystery.
Those places make America’s racial issues a key focus in their storytelling about the Great Migration, weaving in elements of supernatural horror, Black spirituality, and healing. The traumatic and healing aspects are central to these stories, with the paranormal element being a recurring theme throughout both seasons. In the first season, “Covenant,” family is at the heart of the story, while the second season, “The Scare,” delves into the complexities of police-citizen relationships.
Every season offers Deborah Ayorinde the chance to shine, backed by an exceptional ensemble cast. The initial season sparked controversy among viewers and critics due to accusations of a “Black trauma” storyline, whereas Season 2 received widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences.
Stream Them on Amazon Prime Video.
Swarm (2023)
The Prime Video miniseries explored pop culture through a funhouse mirror. It delved into the increasingly one-sided parasocial relationship between celebrities and their fandoms. The seven-episode miniseries allowed viewers into the world of music fanatic Dre, whose fanaticism started enveloping her world, which drew comparisons to Beyonce and her Beyhive.
By focusing specifically on internet-based music fandom, Swarm utilized Dre as a stand-in character. The miniseries cleverly blended humor, horror, and suspense, which were all vividly portrayed in its narrative. These genres combined to explore themes such as trauma, fixation, and homicide, offering a compelling backdrop for examining parasocial relationships, media influence, and music fanaticism psychology.
As a devoted viewer, I can’t help but sing praises for the captivating blend of pop culture and horror in Swarm, where Dominique Fishback shines brilliantly with her nuanced and extraordinary performance. Chloe Bailey, Damon Idris, Rory Culkin, Billie Eilish, and Nirine S. Brown also left lasting impressions as outstanding supporting actors. This mesmerizing series quickly took the internet by storm, garnered critical acclaim, and became a streaming sensation, racking up multiple Emmy nominations.
Stream Swarm on Amazon Prime Video.
From (2022-present)
In a more casual, conversational tone: This captivating sci-fi show really ramps up the fear and intrigue. It’s all about ordinary people struggling to leave their township, but they’ve got these eerie nighttime beasts to contend with.
The show From ventures into realms reminiscent of the Twilight Zone, with its apprehension towards the unfamiliar. Similar to both the Twilight Zone and From’‘s ancestor Lost, it intertwines science fiction, horror, and enigma. The themes of secrecy, the unknown, and alienness run consistently throughout the series as it explores the intricacies of family, sorrow, and solitude.
Harold Perrineau’s feelings and facial expressions make him an ideal main character for the series. Additionally, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Ricky He, Scott McCord, and Corteon Moore all deliver exceptional performances. The show From is maintaining its strength, receiving praise from critics and garnering several Saturn Award nominations.
Stream From on MGM+
The Other Black Girl (2023)
The Hulu streaming series was inspired by the successful novel that laid its groundwork. This literary base provided the show with the opportunity to bring to life the story of a young editorial assistant who encounters peculiar events after her publishing house hires another African-American woman.
The Other Black Girl delved into an unspoken issue – racism within corporate America. Similar to its original work, the series combined satire with mystery, horror, and suspense, creating a multi-layered narrative. This unique approach enabled it to address themes such as otherness, tokenism, and workplace dynamics. The story also dealt with the “one and only” mentality, jealousy and envy in the office, harmful friendships, and corporate misconduct.
Absolutely, the principal actors, Sinclair Daniel and Ashleigh Murray, truly breathed life into the story with their remarkable acting skills and undeniable on-screen chemistry. Additionally, supporting stars like Garcelle Beauvais, Bellamy Young, and Brittany Adebumola delivered exceptional performances. Regrettably, despite the show and its talented cast earning critical praise, it was only able to run for one season.
Stream The Other Black Girl on Hulu.
Archive 81 (2022)
The Netflix show, based on its popular podcast counterpart, elevated the narrative even further. The podcast’s captivating storytelling came alive in reality as the series centered around a young archivist who becomes entangled in the enigma surrounding a missing female filmmaker and a charred movie set.
Show ‘Archive 81′ draws inspiration from its original material by focusing on a narrative built around found footage and cults. This approach effectively combines elements of mystery, thriller, supernatural, and horror genres. By doing so, it delves into the investigation of Dan’s past research, occult activities, and strange paranormal occurrences. These themes strengthen the impact of the series’ unfolding events and enhance Dan’s personal connection to the enigma.>
Mamoudou Athie proved he was leading man material with its intricate performance. Other standout performances came from castmates like Dina Shihabi and Martin Donovan. The otherworldly series’ critical acclaim and consistent numbers couldn’t save it from being canceled after one season.
Stream Archive 81 on Netflix.
Kindred (2022)
In my gaming world, I recently got hooked on this Hulu series that breathed life into Octavia Butler’s timeless science fiction novel. This mind-bending adaptation revolves around me, playing as a young woman trapped in a time loop spanning from 2016 to the 19th century Maryland.
By breathing life into the Afrofuturist masterpiece, Kindred skillfully navigated themes of time travel and the psychological impact of slavery. Embracing these concepts created a unique blend of science fiction and suspenseful drama. The narrative also addressed trauma from history, family ties, interracial unions, and America’s past, consistently weaving together themes of blood relations, marriage across racial lines, and our nation’s history.
In her first screen appearance, Mallori Johnson breathed life into the character of Dana, capturing all aspects of her personality. Her fellow actors such as Elsa Davis, Micah Stock, Ryan Kwanten, and Gayle Rankin significantly enhanced Johnson’s performance. However, despite receiving positive reviews, the time-traveling series Kindred was unfortunately canceled after just one season.
Stream Kindred on Hulu.
These horror series led by Black creators will elicit a range of reactions – fear, intrigue, laughter, or surprise – upon initial viewing or rewatching. Notably, other shows such as “The Changeling”, “Horror Noire”, and “October Faction” have captured the hearts of viewers despite their limited seasons.
This year, various horror genres will continue to captivate audiences as numerous projects are slated for release. Shows like “Twisted Metal” and “Grotesquerie,” among others, are scheduled to debut on different platforms such as network TV, cable, or streaming services. Take a look at our TV schedule to find out which shows will be airing this year.
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2024-10-06 16:07