Despite the THOUSANDS of options available, we always seem to get into a Netflix rut and end up watching the same things over and over again. Rewatching Friends for the 639th time? Go on then. Back-to-back episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race even though you’ve already seen every series? Why not?
Although it can be difficult to find something new to watch, there are tonnes of films and TV shows on the streaming service just waiting for us to dive right in and loads of them feature Black leads.
Whether you want to diversify what you’re watching or want to learn more about what it means to be a Black person today, you’re sure to find something for you on Netflix – and if you need a little bit of help, we’ve got you covered as we’ve put together a list of some our our favourite Black TV shows you can stream now.
CHECK OUT 14 black TV shows you NEED to watch on Netflix
Black TV shows on Netflix you NEED to watch
1 of 14Top Boy
Following on from the original Channel 4 series (which is also on Netflix as Top Boy: Summerhouse), Top Boy was rebooted on Netflix after Drake, who also serves as an executive producer, bought the rights to the show. It follows drugs gangs on the streets of London as they battle for supremacy and the effects on the communities around them.
2 of 14Dear White People
Based on a critically acclaimed film of the same name, Dear White People tells the tale of a group of Black students at predominantly white college Winchester University and shines a light on the issues surrounding modern race relations.
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3 of 14Pose
Created by Ryan Murphy, who is also responsible for Glee and American Horror Story, Pose follows the lives of a group of gay and transgender Black and Latinx people on the New York City ballroom scene as they fight for their rights. The first two seasons are available on Netflix, while the third and latest season can be found on BBC iPlayer.
4 of 14How to Get Away With Murder
Annalise Keating is a brilliant defence attorney and law professor but her life gets turned upside down when she and five of her students get caught up in a murder case. The thrilling series is perfect binge watch material as all six seasons are on Netflix.
5 of 14Sister Sister
Who doesn't love a bit of 90s nostalgia? We loved iconic sitcom Sister Sister – which stars Tia and Tamera Mowry as identical twin sisters who were separated at birth and reunited as teenagers – back in the day so we're over the moon that we can rewatch it to our hearts' content on Netflix.
6 of 14Moesha
If you're in the mood for more throwback comedy then Moesha is also available to stream on Netflix. The classic show stars singer Brandy as the titular character growing up as a teenager in Los Angeles.
7 of 14Power
If gritty dramas are your thing, you'll love Power. The show, which was co-created with 50 Cent, follows ruthless New York City nightclub owner and drugs gang head honcho James 'Ghost' Power as he tries to balance his seemingly perfect family life and legitimate business interests with his secret criminal activities.
8 of 14Lupin
Part heist, part revenge story, Lupin is set 25 years after Assane Diop's father, Babakar, was wrongfully accused of stealing a necklace that once belonged to Marie Antoinette. Inspired by the character Arsène Lupin, Assane sets out to avenge his father. The highly bingeable series was created by George Kay who wrote on Killing Eve, so you know it's going to be good.
9 of 14Luke Cage
Set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Luke Cage stars Mike Colter as a former convict with superhuman strength and unbreakable skin who now fights crime and corruption. If you're a big Marvel fan and you still haven't watched this show then, frankly, you're missing out.
10 of 14Raising Dion
Another Netflix show based on a comic book is Raising Dion which stars Alisha Wainwright as a widowed mum who discovers her son has superpowers. She sets out to discover why he's been given the extraordinary talent, all while attempting to keep it under wraps from those around her.
11 of 14Blood & Water
Set in Cape Town, South Africa, a teenager runs into a private school swimming star at a party and is convinced she's found her long lost sister, who was abducted at birth. After transferring to the same school, she starts to uncover more than she bargained for. The second series of this gripping drama has just been released so there are plenty of episodes to sink your teeth into.
12 of 14When They See Us
Based on the true story of the Central Park Five, When They See Us tells the story of five teenagers from Harlem who are falsely accused of attacking a jogger. The eye-opening show was created by award-winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay and is must-watch TV.
13 of 14Black Lightning
Jefferson Pierce is a school principal and retired superhero who is forced back into action when a gang threatens his family. Cress Williams stars as the main character, who was DC's first major black superhero.
14 of 14On My Block
On My Block is a poignant but hilarious coming of age story which focuses on four streetwise teens who face their lifelong friendship tested when they start high school in Los Angeles.
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Though mainstream TV shows still have a long (long) way to go until true representation and diversity is achieved, Netflix has a solid line-up of Black programming across all genres from romance to drama and comedy to fantasy.
The streaming service also regularly adds its own original content and shows we already know and love.
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Although things have come a long way in recent years, the Black Lives Matter movement last year sparked a number of prominent Black actors to speak out about the treatment of Black cast and crew behind the scenes.
After opening up about a time she was told actors of colour are “more disposable” than their white counterparts, Glee star Amber Riley created a platform called #unMUTEny which aims to encourage Black people working in the entertainment industry to share and report the mistreatment and racism they’ve encountered in their career.
Amber said, “We need to address behaviours that are allowed on sets. We need to address why the Black experience is diminished when it comes to telling you what happened, why we’re not believed, why we feel afraid for our jobs, why we feel disposable.”