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Must-Watch TV Shows With Black Women Actresses Over 40
Get your popcorn ready for what's coming soon, what's renewed for next season, plus current hits and classics you'll love
AARP (Getty Images, 2; Courtesy Everett Collection, 3; Courtesy Netflix, 2)
We love seeing Black actresses over 40 on television in primetime, but the path to achieving starring-role status has not been an easy one. From Phylicia Rashad on The Cosby Show, the gold standard for elegance and intelligence, to Alfre Woodard and Vanessa Williams bringing grown-woman drama to Desperate Housewives, these portrayals helped expand what was possible on screen. But for years, those moments were the exception, not the rule. While Black women were visible on television with hit comedies that showcased Black life like Living Single and Girlfriends, those roles largely went to actresses in their 20s and early 30s, leaving women over 40 on the margins.
That dynamic began to shift when Kerry Washington broke new ground with Scandal (2012), ushering in a new era of Black women leading primetime network dramas. But it was Viola Davis in How to Get Away With Murder (2014), premiering when she was nearly 50, that redefined what was possible for Black actresses, proving that audiences were ready.
Today, continuing that legacy are actresses like Angela Bassett starring in 9-1-1 and executive producing the successful franchise; Queen Latifah, whose five-season network hit The Equalizer recently concluded; Emayatzy Corinealdi, who continues to lead the hit legal drama Reasonable Doubt; and Michelle Buteau with her comedy Survival of the Thickest.
Are we still leading primetime in the way Scandal did? No, but the momentum hasn't disappeared. From brand-new premieres to returning favorites, a new wave of series continues to spotlight Black women over 40 in layered, compelling, and unforgettable ways.
Here are some shows that are worth adding to your watch list, if they aren't already on it.
New Shows
Kerry Washington, 49
What you know her from: Scandal, Django Unchained
The show: Imperfect Women (premiered March 18, 2026)
What it's about: A psychological drama exploring the murder of a wealthy woman and the secrets surrounding her circle.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Tessa Thompson, 42
What you know her from: Creed, Westworld
The show: His & Hers (limited series; premiered Jan. 8, 2026)
What it's about: A mystery thriller centered on an estranged journalist and detective who investigate a murder while suspecting one another.
Where to watch: Netflix
New Shows on the Horizon (No Air Date Yet)
Nicole Beharie, 41
What you know her from: The Morning Show, Sleepy Hollow
The show: All the Sinners Bleed (premiere date TBA)
What it's about: A Southern-set crime drama following the first Black sheriff in a small Bible Belt county as he hunts a serial killer. Nicole Beharie co-stars in the series.
Where to watch: Netflix
Kerry Washington, 49
What you know her from: Scandal, Little Fires Everywhere
The show: Wisteria Lane
What it's about: A Desperate Housewives reimagining centered on the secrets and power dynamics of a suburban cul-de-sac.
Where to watch: In development; platform/date TBA
Recent and Returning Favorites
Sheryl Lee Ralph, 70
What you know her from: Dreamgirls, Moesha
The show: Abbott Elementary (2021-Present; renewed for Season 6)
What it's about: A workplace comedy following teachers navigating an underfunded public school.
Where to watch: ABC / Hulu
Emayatzy Corinealdi, 46
What you know her from: Middle of Nowhere, Ballers
The show: Reasonable Doubt (2022-Present; renewed for Season 4)
What it's about: A legal drama following a defense attorney balancing high-stakes cases and personal life.
Where to watch: Hulu
Michelle Buteau, 48
What you know her from: First Wives Club
The show: Survival of the Thickest (2023-2026; third and final season premiered July 2, 2026)
What it's about: A comedy about rebuilding life and love after heartbreak.
Where to watch: Netflix
Angela Bassett, 67
What you know her from: What's Love Got to Do with It, Black Panther
The show: 9-1-1 (2018-Present; renewed for Season 10)
What it's about: A high-intensity procedural following first responders navigating emergencies and personal lives.
Where to watch: ABC / Hulu
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Niecy Nash-Betts, 56
What you know her from: Dahmer, Claws
The show: All's Fair (premiered Nov. 4, 2025; renewed for Season 2)
What it's about: A team of high-powered female divorce attorneys leaves a male-dominated law firm to launch their own practice while navigating complicated personal lives.
Where to watch: Hulu
Niecy Nash-Betts, 56
What you know her from: Dahmer, Claws
The show: Grotesquerie (2024)
What it's about: A dark psychological drama exploring crime, trauma, and morality.
Where to watch: FX / Hulu
Tichina Arnold, 56
What you know her from: Martin, Everybody Hates Chris
The show: The Neighborhood (2018-2026; series finale aired May 11, 2026)
What it's about: A friendly but over-eager Midwestern white family moves into a predominantly Black neighborhood in Los Angeles.
Where to watch: CBS / Paramount+
Debbi Morgan, 69
What you know her from: All My Children, Power
The show: Beauty in Black (2024-Present; Season 3 premieres Aug. 27, 2026; renewed for Season 4)
What it's about: Women at a powerful family-run beauty empire navigate the cutthroat world of business.
Where to watch: Netflix
Tamara Tunie, 67
What you know her from: Law & Order: SVU
The show: Beyond the Gates (premiered Feb. 24, 2025; renewed through the 2027-2028 broadcast season)
What it's about: A wealthy Black family resides in an upscale gated community where status and secrets collide.
Where to watch: CBS / Paramount+
Recents You May Have Missed
Uzo Aduba, 45
What you know her from: Orange Is the New Black
The show: The Residence (released March 20, 2025)
What it's about: A sharp murder mystery centered around an eccentric investigator and set inside the White House.
Where to watch: Netflix
Queen Latifah, 56
What you know her from: Set It Off, Chicago
The show: The Equalizer (2021-2025; series finale aired May 4, 2025)
What it's about: A former CIA operative uses her skills and resources to help ordinary people in danger.
Where to watch: CBS / Paramount+
Meagan Good, 44 and Grace Byers, 41
What you know them from: Think Like a Man, Empire
The show: Harlem (2021-2025; third and final season premiered Jan. 23, 2025)
What it's about: Four women navigate careers, friendships, and relationships in New York City.
Where to watch: Prime Video
Taraji P. Henson, 55
What you know her from: Empire, Hidden Figures
The show: Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist (2024)
What it's about: A true-crime drama centered on a historic robbery tied to a boxing event.
Where to watch: Peacock
Niecy Nash-Betts, 56
What you know her from: Claws
The show: The Rookie: Feds (2022-2023)
What it's about: The oldest rookie in the FBI Academy joins a newly formed special unit and uses her experience and instincts to solve crimes.
Where to watch: Available for purchase on Apple TV and Prime Video; streaming availability varies
Shanola Hampton, 48
What you know her from: Shameless
The show: Found (2023-2025)
What it's about: A procedural drama focused on overlooked missing persons cases.
Where to watch: Originally aired on NBC and streamed on Peacock; now also streaming on Netflix
Classics to Catch Up On
Viola Davis, 60
What you know her from: Fences, The Woman King
The show: How to Get Away With Murder (2014-2020)
What it's about: A law professor and her students become entangled in a murder plot.
Where to watch: Netflix
Kerry Washington, 49
What you know her from: Ray, I Think I Love My Wife
The show: Scandal (2012-2018)
What it's about: A go-to Washington fixer can make any scandal disappear except her own.
Where to watch: Netflix
Taraji P. Henson, 55
What you know her from: Hidden Figures, Baby Boy
The show: Empire (2015-2020)
What it's about: A powerful family battles for control of a music empire.
Where to watch: Hulu
Gabrielle Union, 53
What you know her from: Bring It On, Deliver Us From Eva
The show: Being Mary Jane (2013-2019)
What it's about: A successful news anchor navigates career, relationships, and family.
Where to watch: BET+
Rutina Wesley, 47 and Dawn-Lyen Gardner, 44
What you know them from: True Blood and Luke Cage, respectively
The show: Queen Sugar (2016-2022)
What it's about: A family drama about legacy, land, and relationships in Louisiana.
Where to watch: Hulu
Regina King, 55
What you know her from: Ray, American Crime
The show: Seven Seconds (2018)
What it's about: A gripping crime drama centered on justice and systemic cover-ups.
Where to watch: Netflix
Robin Thede, 46
What you know her from: Clunkers
The show: A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019-2023)
What it's about: A groundbreaking sketch comedy series created by and starring Black women.
Where to watch: Max
Wendy Raquel Robinson, 59
What you know her from: The Steve Harvey Show
The show: The Game (2006-2015)
What it's about: A dramedy following the lives of professional football players and the women in their orbit.
Where to watch: Paramount+ / BET+
Tisha Campbell, 57
What you know her from: Martin, My Wife and Kids
The show: My Wife and Kids (2001-2005)
What it's about: A family sitcom following the dynamics of a modern Black household.
Where to watch: Hulu / BET+
Bonus: Shows Featuring Black Women in Their 30s Worth Watching Again
Ensemble Cast: Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, Kim Fields
The show: Living Single (1993-1998)
What it's about: A group of friends navigates life and love in Brooklyn.
Where to watch: Hulu
Ensemble Cast: Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie Jones, Golden Brooks, Persia White
The show: Girlfriends (2000-2008)
What it's about: Four women navigate friendship, career, and relationships in Los Angeles.
Where to watch: Netflix
Diahann Carroll
What you know her from: Julia
The show: Julia (1968-1971)
What it's about: A groundbreaking series following a Black professional woman balancing career and single motherhood.
Susan Kelechi Watson
What you know her from: NCIS, Louie
The show: This Is Us (2016-2022)
What it's about: A multigenerational family drama about the Pearson family, love, loss, and identity.
Where to watch: Hulu
Issa Rae
What you know her from: The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl
The show: Insecure (2016-2021)
What it's about: A dramedy following a messy single Black woman navigating friendship, career, and dating in Los Angeles.
Where to watch: Max
Folake Olowofoyeku
What you know her from: Transparent
The show: Bob Hearts Abishola (2019-2024)
What it's about: A middle-aged white businessman falls in love with a Nigerian immigrant nurse and works to win her over.
Where to watch: Hulu
Tichina Arnold
What you know her from: Martin, The Neighborhood
The show: Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009)
What it's about: A comedy inspired by Chris Rock's teenage years growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s.
Where to watch: Hulu
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