10 Best Black Sitcoms of the 2010s, Ranked
10 Best Black Sitcoms of the 2010s, Ranked
Finding a great Black sitcom from the 2010s is surprisingly difficult when so many excellent shows sit somewhere between sitcom, comedy-drama, satire and experimental television. This list narrows things down to the shows that are genuinely worth watching, whether you want sharp social commentary, messy relationships, family comedy or something completely unpredictable.
The 2010s were a major turning point for Black television comedy. Traditional network sitcoms were still thriving, but streaming platforms and cable networks also gave writers more freedom to explore complicated characters and specific experiences. Shows no longer had to follow the same family-living-room formula to be recognised as comedy.
That change produced a fascinating mix of series. Black-ish used a family sitcom structure to discuss race, politics and identity. Insecure explored friendship, dating and self-doubt with incredible honesty. Atlanta turned the life of a struggling music manager into something surreal, funny and occasionally disturbing.
The decade also gave audiences brilliant comedies such as Chewing Gum, The Carmichael Show, Grown-ish, Family Reunion and The Last O.G.. Some were traditional sitcoms, while others pushed the format into more personal and experimental territory.
This ranking focuses on Black-led comedy series that premiered during the 2010s. A few are not conventional sitcoms in the old-fashioned sense, but all of them are half-hour comedies built around recurring characters, relationships and social observation.
The ranking considers writing, performances, cultural impact, rewatchability, originality and how well each show represents the best Black television comedy of the decade. Some choices are designed for comfort viewing, while others are sharper and more challenging.
The 2010s gave Black sitcoms more room to be messy, political, romantic, strange and emotionally honest. That is why this list includes both major mainstream hits and shows that deserve to be rediscovered.
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10. The Mayor
The Mayor is one of the most overlooked Black sitcoms of the 2010s.
The ABC comedy follows Courtney Rose, an aspiring rapper who decides to run for mayor of his New Jersey hometown as a publicity stunt. When he unexpectedly wins the election, Courtney is forced to take the job seriously and discover whether he can use his position to improve the community.
Brandon Michael Hall is charming as Courtney, giving the character enough confidence to make his political ambition believable while also allowing his uncertainty to show. Courtney begins as someone who wants attention, but the responsibility of office gradually forces him to think beyond his own career.
The show works best when it explores the relationship between personal ambition and public responsibility. Courtney wants to become famous, but his new job introduces him to real problems affecting people in his neighbourhood. That gives the sitcom more emotional depth than its unusual premise might suggest.
Yvette Nicole Brown, Marcel Spears and Bernard David Jones help create a warm ensemble around Hall. The series also benefits from its optimistic tone. It is political without becoming too heavy, and idealistic without pretending that change is easy.
The Mayor only lasted one season, but it remains a fun choice for viewers who enjoy community-based comedies, young adult characters and stories about unexpected leadership.
Where to watch: Availability varies by country. Check JustWatch for current streaming options.
9. Marlon
Marlon is a traditional family sitcom with a modern relationship at its centre.
The series follows Marlon and Ashley, a divorced couple who are attempting to raise their children while continuing to interfere in one another’s lives. They may no longer be together romantically, but their friendship, arguments and shared history keep pulling them back into the same problems.
Marlon Wayans plays a heightened version of himself, giving the show a lively and physical comic energy. Marlon is immature, overconfident and frequently convinced that his way of doing things is the only sensible option. Ashley, played by Essence Atkins, is more organised and practical, which makes their clashes especially entertaining.
The best episodes focus on co-parenting and the difficulty of maintaining boundaries after a relationship ends. Marlon wants to be a good father, but he also wants to remain the fun parent. Ashley wants stability, but she knows that Marlon’s emotional connection with the children is important.
The series is broad and occasionally sentimental, but that is part of its charm. It is designed as an easy family watch with plenty of arguments, misunderstandings and relationship comedy.
Marlon is ideal for viewers who enjoy warm network sitcoms, divorced-couple stories and shows built around a charismatic lead performer. It may not be the most ambitious comedy here, but it is consistently entertaining.
Where to watch: Check Netflix, NBC platforms and regional digital services.
8. Raven’s Home
Raven’s Home is technically a sequel, but it quickly becomes its own enjoyable family sitcom.
The series follows Raven Baxter as a single mother raising twins while living with her best friend Chelsea and Chelsea’s son. Raven’s psychic visions have also returned, creating plenty of opportunities for misunderstandings, disguises and wildly complicated attempts to prevent the future from happening.
Raven-Symoné remains the central attraction. Raven is older than she was in That’s So Raven, but she still has the same comic timing, expressive reactions and tendency to make a situation much worse while trying to fix it.
The show also gives the younger characters room to develop. Booker, Nia and Levi are not simply copies of their parents. They have their own personalities, insecurities and friendships, which allows the series to speak to a new generation without ignoring the original audience.
What makes Raven’s Home work is its warmth. The story is about family, friendship and the pressures of raising children while trying to maintain a career. Raven and Chelsea’s long friendship provides the emotional foundation, while the supernatural premise keeps the comedy moving.
The series is a strong choice for family viewing and nostalgic Disney sitcom fans. It may not be as groundbreaking as the original, but it remains a fun, positive and highly watchable continuation.
Where to watch: Check Disney+ and local Disney Channel streaming availability.
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7. Grown-ish
Grown-ish begins as a college comedy but gradually becomes a thoughtful series about identity, friendship and adulthood.
The show follows Zoey Johnson as she leaves home and starts university. Zoey is confident, fashionable and used to believing she understands the world, but college introduces her to new relationships, different political views and the uncomfortable reality that growing up does not automatically make life easier.
Yara Shahidi brings a relaxed charm to Zoey, while the ensemble cast creates a lively group of students with different backgrounds and ambitions. The show deals with dating, sexuality, race, class, social media and academic pressure without losing its comic rhythm.
The college setting gives Grown-ish plenty of familiar sitcom situations, including roommate arguments, romantic confusion and friendship breakups. However, the show is also interested in how young adults form their values when they are away from home for the first time.
The series benefits from its connection to Black-ish, but it is not simply a younger copy of that show. Its tone is more contemporary and its characters are dealing with a different stage of life.
Grown-ish is best for viewers who enjoy coming-of-age comedy, college television and friendship-focused stories. It is not always perfectly balanced, but it captures the anxiety and excitement of becoming an adult.
Where to watch: Check Hulu, Disney+ and regional streaming services.
6. Family Reunion
Family Reunion is one of the most comforting Black sitcoms of the 2010s.
The Netflix comedy follows the McKellan family as they move from Seattle to Georgia to be closer to extended relatives. M’Dear and Grandpa are traditional and outspoken, while their children and grandchildren bring more modern attitudes into the household.
The family’s different opinions create the central comedy. Generational disagreements appear in conversations about dating, discipline, religion, technology, school and independence. However, the show never treats those conflicts as proof that one generation is always right.
Tia Mowry-Hardrict and Anthony Alabi bring warmth to the parents, while Loretta Devine and Richard Roundtree create a strong older generation. The younger cast members also receive stories that allow them to explore identity and growing confidence.
The Netflix sitcom has a bright, accessible tone, but it occasionally addresses serious subjects such as racism, grief, family history and social responsibility. Those moments are usually handled through the family’s relationships rather than through heavy speeches.
Family Reunion is a good choice when you want a Black family sitcom with a traditional structure and a strong sense of community. It is especially enjoyable for viewers who like multi-generational stories, holiday episodes and large ensemble casts.
There are more experimental shows on this list, but few are as easy to watch with the whole family.
Where to watch: Stream it on Netflix.
5. The Last O.G.
The Last O.G. has a strong central idea: what happens when someone returns home and realises that the world has changed without him?
Tracy Morgan plays Tray Barker, a man who is released from prison after serving seventeen years. He returns to Brooklyn expecting to reclaim his old life, but discovers that his neighbourhood has changed, his former partner has moved on and his children barely know him.
The series uses this premise for comedy, but Tray’s situation also gives the show emotional weight. He has to learn how to be a father, understand a new economy and cope with the feeling that he has missed an entire generation of cultural change.
Morgan’s performance is energetic but more vulnerable than his usual comic persona. Tray is funny because he is often confused by modern life, but the show does not reduce him to a joke. His mistakes come from regret, frustration and a genuine desire to reconnect with his family.
Tiffany Haddish adds strong comic energy as Shay, while the supporting cast gives the neighbourhood a sense of life and history.
The Last O.G. is ideal for viewers who enjoy comeback stories, family comedy and shows about second chances. Its later episodes are not always as sharp as the early ones, but the first season in particular has a strong emotional and comic identity.
Where to watch: Check TBS, Max and current digital streaming services.
4. Chewing Gum
Chewing Gum is one of the boldest and funniest Black comedies of the 2010s.
Created by and starring Michaela Coel, the British series follows Tracey Gordon, a deeply religious young woman living on a London council estate. Tracey wants to become more independent, explore her sexuality and understand the world outside the strict expectations placed around her.
The comedy is loud, physical and completely unafraid of embarrassment. Tracey makes terrible decisions, misunderstands social situations and regularly turns small problems into enormous disasters. Yet the character is never treated as stupid. She is curious, lonely and determined to experience life on her own terms.
Michaela Coel is extraordinary in the lead role. She combines physical comedy with emotional honesty, allowing Tracey to be both ridiculous and deeply relatable. The supporting cast creates a vivid world around her, especially her family, friends and religious community.
The show also stands out because it presents a Black working-class woman as messy, sexual, ambitious and selfish without forcing her into a respectable image. Tracey is allowed to make mistakes and still remain the centre of her own story.
Chewing Gum is ideal for viewers who enjoy unconventional sitcoms, bold comedy and characters who refuse to behave properly. It is short, energetic and unlike almost anything else from the decade.
Where to watch: Check BritBox, Netflix and regional streaming platforms.
3. The Carmichael Show
The Carmichael Show is one of the smartest discussion-based sitcoms of the 2010s.
The series follows Jerrod, a young comedian living with his outspoken family in North Carolina. Almost every episode centres on a controversial subject, including race, religion, politics, police violence, gender, relationships and social responsibility.
Jerrod’s family members hold very different opinions. His father is traditional, his mother is politically engaged, his brother is blunt and his girlfriend often challenges his assumptions. Their arguments create the comedy, but the show also gives each character enough intelligence to make the conversations feel like genuine debates.
Jerrod Carmichael is excellent as the calm centre of the group. He often tries to avoid conflict, but the people around him make that impossible. The series is especially good at showing how difficult conversations unfold inside families, where love and disagreement exist at the same time.
The sitcom uses a multi-camera format and studio audience, but its subject matter is more direct than most traditional network comedies. It does not always offer easy answers, and sometimes the characters finish an episode still disagreeing.
That honesty makes The Carmichael Show feel unusually relevant. It is funny, but it also respects the audience enough to let complicated questions remain complicated.
Where to watch: Check Peacock, NBC platforms and regional streaming services.
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2. Black-ish
Black-ish is one of the most important Black sitcoms of the 2010s.
The series follows Andre “Dre” Johnson, an advertising executive raising his family in a wealthy suburban neighbourhood. Dre worries that his children are becoming disconnected from their Black identity, while his wife Rainbow believes their children should be allowed to define themselves naturally.
Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross lead an excellent ensemble. Their chemistry creates the emotional centre of the series, while the children bring different perspectives to questions about culture, class, identity and belonging.
The show’s greatest strength is its ability to discuss serious issues within a familiar family sitcom structure. Episodes address police violence, code-switching, colourism, interracial relationships, education, cultural appropriation and political disagreement.
Black-ish does not always get every subject perfectly right, but it is willing to start conversations that many traditional sitcoms avoid. It also allows the Johnson family to be wealthy, educated and successful without suggesting that this makes them less connected to Black life.
The comedy is broad enough to remain entertaining, but the best episodes have a clear emotional point. Dre can be overprotective, Rainbow can be intense and the children can be difficult, yet the family’s love remains obvious.
For representation, cultural impact and consistent entertainment value, Black-ish is one of the defining shows of the decade.
Where to watch: Check Hulu, Disney+, ABC platforms and regional services.
🎧 Before we reveal our No. 1 pick
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1. Insecure
Insecure is the best Black sitcom of the 2010s because it combines brilliant comedy with some of the most honest writing about friendship, dating and personal uncertainty.
Created by and starring Issa Rae, the HBO series follows Issa Dee, a young Black woman living in Los Angeles who is trying to figure out her career, relationships and sense of self. Issa is funny, insecure, impulsive and frequently responsible for the problems she is trying to solve.
Her friendship with Molly forms the emotional centre of the show. Their bond is loving but complicated, especially as their lives begin moving in different directions. The series understands that adult friendships can be just as important, difficult and painful as romantic relationships.
Issa Rae’s performance is wonderfully specific. Her mirror raps, awkward conversations and private fantasies reveal the difference between how Issa wants to behave and how she actually behaves.
The show also gives Los Angeles a strong presence. The city’s neighbourhoods, parties, workplaces and social spaces help create a detailed picture of Black life that feels lived-in rather than simplified.
Insecure is romantic, funny, stylish and emotionally sharp. It can make you laugh at Issa’s worst decisions before quietly reminding you that growing up often means admitting your own part in the chaos.
For viewers looking for one of the best Black comedy series, best HBO shows or most rewatchable relationship sitcoms of the 2010s, Insecure is the essential choice.
Where to watch: Stream it on Max and current HBO platforms.
CONCLUSION
The best Black sitcoms of the 2010s became more adventurous, more personal and more willing to challenge traditional ideas about comedy.
Family Reunion, Raven’s Home and Marlon continued the tradition of warm family sitcoms, while Black-ish used that structure to discuss race, identity and politics. The Carmichael Show turned family arguments into serious debates, and Chewing Gum gave audiences one of the decade’s most unusual comic voices.
For viewers who want a college comedy, Grown-ish is an easy choice. The Last O.G. is best for a second-chance story, while The Mayor remains an underrated community comedy.
My personal recommendation is Insecure. The show earned the top spot because it understands how funny and painful adulthood can be. Issa’s relationships, career mistakes and friendship problems feel specific, but they are also recognisable to anyone who has ever felt lost while pretending to have everything under control.
Black-ish is the strongest traditional sitcom, and Atlanta would be a natural addition for anyone who prefers surreal comedy. But Insecure has the most complete emotional journey and the strongest combination of humour, character development and cultural detail.
Tell us which Black sitcom from the 2010s you would rank differently.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the best Black sitcom of the 2010s?
Insecure is the strongest overall choice because it combines sharp comedy, memorable characters, emotional storytelling and an honest look at Black friendship and dating. Black-ish is the best traditional family sitcom, while Atlanta is ideal for viewers who prefer surreal comedy.
Is Insecure a sitcom?
Insecure is usually described as a comedy-drama or half-hour comedy rather than a traditional sitcom. However, it uses sitcom elements, including recurring characters, relationship-based stories, comic misunderstandings and a strong focus on everyday life.
What is Black-ish about?
Black-ish follows Andre and Rainbow Johnson as they raise their family in a wealthy suburban neighbourhood. The series explores race, culture, class, identity, parenting and political disagreements through a warm family-comedy format.
Which Black sitcom from the 2010s is the funniest?
Chewing Gum is the funniest choice for viewers who enjoy bold, physical and unconventional comedy. The Carmichael Show is best for witty arguments, while Insecure has the strongest awkward humour.
What should I watch after Insecure?
Try Atlanta for another acclaimed Black comedy with a distinctive voice. Chewing Gum is a good choice for something stranger and more energetic, while The Carmichael Show offers smart conversations about relationships and social issues.
Is Atlanta a sitcom?
Atlanta is best described as a surreal comedy-drama or experimental half-hour comedy. It does not follow the traditional sitcom structure, but its character-based storytelling and comic situations make it a natural part of conversations about the best Black comedies of the 2010s.
Which show is best for family viewing?
Family Reunion and Raven’s Home are the safest choices for family viewing. Both series focus on family relationships, generational differences and personal growth while maintaining an accessible comic tone.
Where can I stream these Black sitcoms?
Availability depends on your country. Check Max, Hulu, Disney+, Netflix, Peacock, BET+, ABC platforms and JustWatch for the latest streaming information.
Which series has the best Black female characters?
Insecure has especially strong female characters through Issa, Molly, Kelli and Tiffany. Chewing Gum also gives Tracey a wonderfully complicated voice, while Grown-ish explores young women’s friendships and identities.
Are these shows suitable for teenagers?
Some are suitable for teenagers, including Raven’s Home, Family Reunion and Grown-ish. Insecure, Chewing Gum and The Last O.G. contain adult language, sexual themes and mature situations.
MORE PLACES TO FIND GREAT MOVIES AND TV SHOWS
IMDb — Cast information, ratings and episode guides.
Rotten Tomatoes — Critic and audience reviews.
Metacritic — Aggregated professional reviews.
Wikipedia — Production history and character details.
TV Guide — Television listings and recommendations.
Entertainment Weekly — Entertainment news and interviews.
Deadline — Television and streaming industry coverage.
The Hollywood Reporter — Entertainment reporting and reviews.
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