The Black-ish series finale is just days away, and in a recent interview the cast of the beloved series weighed in on the show’s legacy, its universal appeal, and more.
As theGrio previously reported, Black-ish creator Kenya Barris announced last year that his hit ABC series was coming to an end with its eighth and final season. The sitcom starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross has become a staple in the TV comedy landscape, earning rave reviews and accolades since its premiere in 2014.
To celebrate the upcoming series finale, the cast gathered at a special event held at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
During the event, Anderson (Andre “Dre” Johnson) had plenty to say about the end of the series, including its authenticity. The show, he told People, is about “being unapologetic” and “fighting for what you believe in.”
He added, “And that’s what made our show appealing. And with the worldwide audience, wanting to better ourselves and live the American dream and have the best for all of our family, that’s what it was all about.”
Ellis Ross, who plays Rainbow Johnson, also had plenty to share on the show’s legacy.
“I feel like each one of our characters has their own viewpoint. There’s no stagnation. They’ve all grown throughout the years and changed their opinions like real people do. We all grow up and we all change.”
She added, “I think it’s a beautiful thing and people see themselves in these characters.”
Marcus Scribner, who plays Andre Jr., shared how his fan interactions made him realize how much they relate to his character.
“One of the biggest comments that I get any time people come up to me on the streets is that they see their nephew or they see their brother or they see their son in Andre Jr. — and being able to do that for people is a beautiful thing,” he told People.
Scribner is joining the fifth season of Grown-ish, the Black-ish spin-off, which follows Yara Shahidi’s character Zoey.
The highly anticipated Black-ish series finale will air Tuesday, April 19 on ABC.
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