7 TV Shows to Watch When You’re Caught Up with “Dear White People”
Netflix’s “Dear White People” first aired in 2017 and is based on the 2014 movie of the same name. Like the movie, the series follows a group of Black students at Winchester University, a predominantly white institution. It’s an emotional, hilarious ride that captivates viewers with its relatable stories and characters.
After four seasons, the cast and crew said goodbye last week. But if you’re already missing your Winchester University favorites, here are seven shows to fill that hole in your heart.
“Grown-ish” is a spin-off of “Black-ish” and follows Zoey Johnson (Yara Shahidi) as she navigates college and everything that comes with this new chapter of life. The series addresses racial injustices, sex, drugs, and what it’s really like being away from the safety of home for the first time.
Available to watch on Hulu.
“One Day at a Time” follows a Cuban-American family, with each character discovering themselves and forging their own path as the series progresses. Viewers are introduced to Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado), her mother Lydia (Rita Moreno), and her two children Alex and Elena, played by Marcel Ruiz and Isabella Gomez. Each episode peels back a new layer of the characters as Penelope dips her toes back into the dating pool, Elena coming to terms with being a lesbian and coming out to her super religious family, and Alex’s general teenage woes.
Available to watch on Netflix.
You probably know Michaela Coel from her gorgeous 2020 series “I May Destroy You,” but it’s worthwhile checking out her first show, “Chewing Gum” — a quirky little comedy that breaks the fourth wall and plays with format. Coel is the creator and writer and she also stars as Tracey Gordon, a repressed 24-year-old looking to lose her virginity and begin to have some real, adult life experiences.
Available to watch on HBO Max.
“Sex Education” is a British series that follows Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) and his fellow students as they try to fully understand sex and sexuality by using the expertise of Milburn’s mother, who works as a sex therapist. Just as viewers watched Lionel Higgins (Tyler James Williams) try to find himself and come to terms with his sexuality in “Dear White People,” “Sex Ed” offers a similar experience with each episode being dedicated to a different character’s sexual questions, concerns, or problems.
Available to stream on Netflix
“Insecure,” which was inspired by Issa Rae’s popular web series “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl,” is a comedy-drama on HBO. It follows a group of Black women, with Rae as the main character, as they navigate life, love, career, and finding themselves while living in Los Angeles.
Available to watch on HBO Max.
For another show about people fed up with the status quo on campus, watch “Sweet/Vicious.” This one-season MTV dramedy from 2016 is about Jules and Ophelia, two students who are secretly attempting to get justice for sexual assault victims by going after their assailants.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime.
“Dear White People” and “Atlanta” both take a similar approach to addressing the reality of racism in America, but while “Dear White People” is set on a college campus while “Atlanta” happens in the real world. The series — which was created, written, and directed by Donald Glover — follows Earnest (Glover) as he steps into the role of manager for his cousin’s rap career. Earnest is also juggling providing for his daughter and navigating his love life.
Available to watch on Hulu.