Culture & Entertainment

What's New & Black On Netflix This Month

Taysha Robinson

Jan 31, 2019 15:56 PM +0000

It is no secret that, in the most recent years, Netflix has been increasing Black representation and content across its streaming platform.

In the summer of 2018, the streaming service brought 47 of its Black actors together to recreate the iconic photo "A Great Day in Harlem"; to make a bold statement about its opinion on representation in Hollywood. Daringly proclaiming new days to come, where black representation is no longer a trend, but a mainstay, Netflix has made it its mission to show that there is "no one way to be Black."

Related: 11 Black-Led TV Shows Worth Watching This Year (So Far)

In "not a moment [but a] movement," the project brought together by Netflix's Strong Black Lead initiative continues to soar, as it ensures to highlight how much the streaming service has featured and will continue to feature Black narratives, especially in its original programming sector.

Continuously showing that with Netflix it is a "Great Day in Hollywood," here are the top eight Black-led films and shows coming this February.

Available: February 5, 2019
In its second Netflix special, Free Rein returns with Valentine's Day. Telling a story of love and adventure, Zoe and friends go on a quest to find a fabled Maid's Stone. However, things begin to take a turn for the worse when it is quickly shown that they aren't the only ones searching for the stone. Now, as they race against Pin, March, Holloway, and the ever-untrustworthy Mia, the girls will have their friendship tested as they discover that some things might be better left alone.
▲

Available: February 5, 2019
In Siempre Bruja, 18-year-old Afro-Colombian slave and witch, Carmen, travels from the 17th century to present-day Cartagena, in a desperate attempt to save the man she loves. Now, "one hundreds of years away from her time," Carmen will navigate her way through the new, exciting world; where she must defeat a new dark rival.
▲

Available: February 8, 2019
Directed and written by Academy Award winners Steven Soderbergh and Tarell Alvin McCraney, respectively, Netflix presents its new film, High Flying Bird. High Flying Bird tells the story of a sports agent, Ray Burke, who finds himself caught in a face-off between the professional basketball league and its players, in the midst of a lockout. Playing for higher stakes, and with just 72 hours, Burke must outmaneuver all power-players as he uncovers a loophole that could forever change the game. The outcome will raise questions of who truly own the game of basketball, and who ought to. Featuring an acclaimed ensemble cast including Zazie Beetz, Melvin Gregg, Sonja Sohn, Zachary Quinto, Kyle MacLachlan, and Bill Duke with appearances from NBA athletes Reggie Jackson Karl-Anthony Towns, and Donovan Mitchell, High Flying Bird is one of the most anticipated films of the season.
▲

Available: February 8, 2019
Netflix boasts an impressive collection of stand-up specials, and it's only getting better with this new edition. This month, Kevin Hart returns to discuss the fascinating contributions of lesser known individuals from Black History from the perspective of various educational reenactments. Check out his new stand-up special, Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History, set to stream, on a television near you, on February 15th.
▲

Available: February 8, 2019
In the long-form documentary series of high profile, in-depth stories about the impact of music on society, ReMastered has returned to reveal surprising insight on renowned musician, Sam Cooke. Known to be the most influential Black musician of the Civil Rights Movement, Sam Cooke advocated for the rights of Black musicians, frustrating the white establishment. Dying at the age of 33, an investigation was launched to reveal the suspicious circumstances surrounding the musician's death. Some believe Cooke had been robbed and "trick-rolled" by a prostitute, other believe in a larger societal set up that involved both music industry tycoons and the mob. Check out the following documentary to discover what became of the beloved "Bring It on Home to Me" singer and activist.
▲

Unsolved - Pilot
Available: February 27, 2018
A true-crime anthology television series, the first season of Unsolved chronicles the murders of rappers Tupac and Biggie Smalls in the late-1990s. A scripted, dramatized version of the real-life investigations, Unsolved: Tupac and Biggie follows detectives Greg Kading and Russell Pool into the controversial murders of two of the rap industry's most legendary players. In addition, it presents some of the theories the public has discussed behind the deaths of the infamous rappers. Tune in to see what really happened, and to see if the rumors that Tupac remains alive on a secluded island are true.
▲

Available: February 15, 2019
In this Netflix Original, forty-three infants are inexplicably born, on the same day in October 1989, to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreeves, a billionaire industrialist, who creates The Umbrella Academy and prepares his "children" to save the world. However, nothing goes according to plan. By the time the children are teens, the family is fractured, and their team disbanded. But now, six estranged siblings with extraordinary powers must reunite, in adulthood, to uncover shocking family secrets — oh, and a looming threat to humanity. Mary J. Blige makes an appearance as Cha-Cha, an unorthodox and ruthless assassin.
▲

Available: February 6, 2019
Premiering on Netflix, The Soloist tells the true-story of a newspaper journalist, Steve Lopez, who discovers a homeless musical genius, Nathaniel Ayers, in Los Angeles and tries to help Ayers' use his talents to get off the streets. Playing a homeless man with schizophrenia, Jamie Foxx delivers a strong performance in this "poignant tale of hope, determination, and friendship."
▲

Related Articles Around the Web

ALSO ON XONECOLE