The #BrownGirl’s Guide To TV This Fall

Sometimes life will surprise you. Starring Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember), Milo Ventimiglia (Heroes, Gilmore Girls) and Sterling K. Brown (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story), this refreshingly honest and provocative series follows a unique ensemble. As their paths cross and their life stories intertwine in curious ways, we find that several of them share the same birthday and so much more than anyone would expect. From the writer and directors of “Crazy, Stupid, Love” comes a smart, modern dramedy that will challenge your everyday presumptions about the people you think you know.

Queen Sugar (OWN)

Airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m.
The contemporary drama Queen Sugar chronicles the lives and loves of the estranged Bordelon siblings in Saint Josephine, Louisiana: Nova (Rutina Wesley, True Blood), a world-wide journalist and activist; Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner, Unforgettable), the savvy wife and manager of an NBA star; and Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe, Awkward), a formerly incarcerated young father in search of redemption. After a family tragedy, the Bordelons must navigate the triumphs and struggles of their complicated lives in order to run an ailing sugarcane farm in the Deep South. Led by acclaimed film director Ava DuVernay, who directed the first two episodes, all episodes in the series’ debut season are directed by women. Executively produced by Ava DuVernay, Melissa Carter and Oprah Winfrey. The series is inspired by the book by Natalie Baszile.

Insecure (HBO)

The half-hour comedy series starring Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Jay Ellis and Lisa Joyce, that looks at the friendship, experiences and tribulations of two black women. Created and executive produced by Issa Rae, this eight-episode series follows themes found in Rae’s popular webseries, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.

Atlanta (FX)

Airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m.
Already making waves by debuting as one of the biggest cable comedy series in years, this new show premiered earlier this month and has already been renewed for a second season. The story follows two cousins as they work through the Atlanta music scene in order to better their lives and the lives of their families. Donald Glover serves as Executive Producer, along with Paul Simms and Dianne McGunigle.

The dramatic and inspirational story of a young pitcher who becomes the first woman to play Major League Baseball.

Gifted athlete, Ginny Baker (Kylie Bunbury, Under The Dome) is vaulted into instant fame when she’s called up by the San Diego Padres to make her Major League debut. Like any rookie, Ginny must prove herself to her teammates. Although groomed for this moment by her demanding father, the end of Ginny’s improbable journey is the beginning of an almost impossible one: representing her gender as she embarks on a successful baseball career under the glare of the white-hot media spotlight. It’s a goal hard enough for anyone to achieve – except this player is also a woman, who happens to be the most important historical figure in sports since Jackie Robinson. This season, Ginny Baker will be the other woman trying to break into one of the oldest, most exclusive men’s clubs in the country.

First appearing in Marvel’s Jessica Jones, New York Super Hero, Luke Cage gets his own Netflix series. Following the street-fighting ex-con as he battles crime on the streets of Harlem this show brings an amazing cast of Black male actors such as Mike Colter (The Good Wife), Mahershala Ali (House of Cards), Frankie Faison (The Wire), and Erik LaRay Harvey (Boardwalk Empire).

Nicole Byer (Girl Code) is living the Hollywood dream. Well, Hollywood adjacent – the deep valley to be precise and it’s not so much a dream but a struggle. In this hilarious half-hour comedy, we’ll watch as Nicole, exuding her special brand of confidence and irreverence, demonstrates the hilarious missteps of what it means to be out on your own for the first time. She’ll deal with humiliating auditions, unpaid electric bills, friendship ups and downs, and the battlefield that is Tinder as she slowly but surely finds her voice as a comedian.