Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

2025 - 2025

Part 1: Seen

9th September 2025

Episode 1

From Amos 'n' Andy to The Jeffersons and Good Times, Black television was historically shaped by white writers and creators. But in the 1990s, a rise in shows by Black creators brought social issues to the forefront, allowing Black television to go beyond merely reflecting culture, but to create it with shows such as In Living Color and The Arsenio Hall Show.

Part 2: Heard

10th September 2025

Episode 2

The responsibility and power of storytelling is demonstrated through the work of Shonda Rhimes, Oprah Winfrey, and other creators, as well as stories depicting the breadth of the Black experience. With ownership of news and entertainment properties, Black creators now shape perception and policy – while honoring the scope of their history in all its paradoxes and complexities.

Top Cast

Issa Rae•Tracee Ellis Ross•Tyler Perry

Documentary

Journey through the history of black representation on television, showcasing how black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.

Watch Providers 🇬🇧

Now TV

Production Companies

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Full Cast

Issa Rae

Self

Tracee Ellis Ross

Self

Tyler Perry

Self

Oprah Winfrey

Self

Justin Simien

Self

Debbie Allen

Self

Mara Brock Akil

Self

Lena Waithe

Self

Larry Wilmore

Self

Full Crew

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Giselle Bailey

Producer

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Phil Bertelsen

Producer

Issa Rae

Executive Producer

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Montrel McKay

Executive Producer

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John Maggio

Executive Producer

Rachel Dretzin

Executive Producer

John Ealer

Executive Producer

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Jonathan Berry

Executive Producer

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Dave Becky

Executive Producer

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Nancy Abraham

Executive Producer

Lisa Heller

Executive Producer

Sara Rodriguez

Executive Producer

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Stephanie Diaz-Matos

Music Supervisor

Eric Medina

Music Supervisor

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Chelsea Adewunmi

Producer

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Esther Dere

Co-Executive Producer

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Zachary Herrmann

Co-Executive Producer

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Dorin Razam-Grunfeld

Supervising Producer

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Hannah Giorgis

Consulting Producer

Donald Bogle

Consulting Producer

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Luther Clement Lam

Editor

Marcus Taylor

Editor

Matthew Head

Original Music Composer

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Lindsey Agee

Line Producer

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Giona Jefferson

Co-Producer

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Nina Watson

Co-Producer

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Alexis Williams

Associate Producer

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Patrick Donahue

Sound Re-Recording Mixer

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Randy Matuszewski

Sound Editor

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Stephen Bailey

Director of Photography

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Joanna Jordan

Casting

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Eric Coleman

Director of Photography

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