The black web series trend: 6 shows to watch out for

theGRIO REPORT - Instead of waiting on networks to get smart and diversify their shows, black directors, producers and writers are taking matters into their own hands and onto the web - and they're proving they're a force to be reckoned with...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

3. The Unwritten Rules

We’ve all probably been there: the only black person at school, at work, or at a party. Racey, a new hire who finds herself in exactly that situation, shares tales of her awkward encounters in the workplace in a humorous way. The character is played by Aasha Davis, known for her roles in Pariah and Friday Night Lights.

“The Unwritten Rules is based on a book I wrote, 40 Hours and an Unwritten Rule: The Diary of a Nigger, Negro, Colored, Black, African-American Woman, published in 2004,” said Kim Williams, executive producer and writer of the series. “For African-Americans, I feel the show represents an authentic voice that is rare and sometimes non-existent in mainstream television and film. For others, the show is a window into a black woman’s journey in the workplace that again, really hasn’t been exposed.”

“I think it’s a starting point to first acknowledge the racial perceptions that still exist on both sides as a result of racism,” she said. “I think the humor of the show makes people of all races comfortable to begin the dialogue that we have avoided with each other.”

Watch Episode 1 “First Day” | Facebook

4. Brothers With No Game

From across the pond comes Brothers With No Game, a series spun off a popular blog of the same name. The London-based show follows four young men as they learn how to “play the game,” some more successfully than others.

“We began as a blog, telling relatable, humorous and creative stories from a  young male’s perspective and it became a running suggestion by our fans to make our product visual,” the creators behind the site said. “It was a chance for us to develop our creativity as well as provide established and new fans with something entertaining, relatable and real that we may not get that much of on TV.”

And when asked about future plans for the series, they said, “We have developing stories in relationships, the workplace and friendship as well as cameos from special guests. The show will end with the audience asking more questions and hopefully we will be able to answer them. Whether it will be online or on TV for season two, only time will tell.”

Watch Episode 1 “The Heskey Role” | Facebook

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