15 Best Summer TV Shows With Black Leads to Watch This Summer
Summer is almost here, and you know what that means- it’s time for a brand-new slate of shows to tap into while you lounge around the house. From high-action Netflix series “Nemesis” starring two fine Black male leads to the hilarious, laugh-until-you-cry comedies like “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins” from Peacock’s lineup, we have curated the best list to feed your binge-watching spirit. So, get ready for your family and friends to enjoy this premium series lineup that will keep you entertained all summer long.
“Nemesis”
Ohh, we see Netflix is turning it up a notch with the highly anticipated new series, “Nemesis.” Co-created by “Power” creator Courtney A. Kemp and Tani Marole, the L.A. heist thriller stars Y’lan Noel as a charismatic master thief hiding in plain sight and Matthew Law as the rogue LAPD detective obsessed with taking him down. Two fine Black lead actors taking viewers on a wild chase? Count us in!
“Spider Noir”
“Spider-Noir,” a new Marvel-style film, has social media buzzing. This brand new superhero action show is set in 1930s New York City. It follows Ben Reilly, an aging private investigator who used to be the city’s masked superhero, but as old enemies and a new case emerge, his old life is pulling him back in.
“From”
“From” is a nightmarish sci-fi horror series about an eerie American town that traps anyone who enters, looping roads to prevent escape. By day, the residents –led by sheriff Boyd Stevens (Harold Perrineau) — try to maintain a normal community, but by night, they must lock themselves indoors to survive the monsters that live in the forest. This series thriller is an absolute must to watch
“The Testament”
Hulu’s original show “The Testaments” is a dystopian drama set in Gilead, years after “The Handmaid’s Tale.” It follows Agnes, June’s daughter, and other young women as they infiltrate elite spaces to expose society’s brutal system and launch a massive rebellion to push back. Get ready to indulge as these women show who really runs the world.
“M.I.A.”
We absolutely refused to gatekeep the new hit series, “M.I.A.,” from you. Set in Miami and the Florida Keys, the crime drama follows Etta ‘Tiger’ Jonze, a young woman in South Florida who is pulled into the Miami underworld after tragedy strikes her family’s drug-running business. This is a cold-blooded revenge story that transforms a survivor into a ruthless, powerful crime queenpin.
“Strung”
One thing about Chloe Bailey is that she always gives us a great onscreen performance, just as she’s about to do in the new Peacock series “Strung,” premiering June 26, 2026. This psychological drama follows Bailey, a gifted violinist, as she takes an elite teaching position, only to discover that the family’s home hides dangerous secrets tied to her own past. This is a certified summer must-watch.
“Lanterns”
HBO is giving us the gritty, prestige detective drama we’ve been craving this summer with “Lanterns.” Starring the phenomenal Aaron Pierre as the brilliant, no-nonsense investigator John Stewart, this cosmic film takes viewers on a dark ride through the American heartland to solve a deeply unsettling mystery. If you loved “True Detective,” you might want to tune into this.
“Man On Fire”
Don’t you just love a good, heavy-hitting Black actor steering a premium action drama? Of course you do, which is why we are so happy to see Yahya Abdul-Mateen II completely commanding the screen in Netflix’s hot new series, “Man on Fire.” This gritty revenge thriller follows a haunted Special Forces veteran who gets drawn into a deadly conspiracy in Brazil, putting his lethal skills to the test to protect a teenage girl named Poe after a devastating tragedy. Be sure to add this to your watchlist.
“Survival of The Thickest”
“Survival of the Thickest” will be going out with a bang for its third and final season on Netflix. Premiering on July 2, 2026, the hilarious Michelle Buteau returns as the fiery, plus-size stylist determined to rebuild her empire and thrive on her own terms. With a star-studded cast including Garcelle Beauvais, this body-positive comedy is the exact feel-good energy your summer watchlist needs.
“The Boroughs”
For our sci-fi lovers, we have something incredibly special hitting your screens. Executive produced by the Duffer Brothers, Netflix’s original supernatural series “The Boroughs” premieres on May 21, 2026, following a group of residents in a retirement community who work together after a terrifying encounter. As a team, these unforeseen heroes uncover a dark secret and fight an otherworldly threat trying to steal the one thing they don’t have: time. Be sure to add this to your watchlist.
“Wonder Man”
The hit Marvel series “Wonder Man” follows Simon Williams (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), an aspiring Hollywood actor who finds himself caught between his acting career and his superhuman powers. As he tries to land a role, he navigates the entertainment industry and his unlikely bond with Trevor Slattery.
“The ‘Burbs”
Keke “Keep A Check” Palmer is doing what she does best in this hilarious show—bringing her signature comedic timing to the latest Peacock series, “The ‘Burbs.” Based on the classic dark comedy film, the show stars Palmer as Samira, a sharp suburban woman who leads a high-stakes, laugh-out-loud investigation into her neighborhood’s bizarre new residents. Be sure to enjoy the hilarious moments of paranoia and laughter.
“The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins”
The Peacock original series, “The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins,” is an absolute must-watch. Starring Tracy Morgan, this hilarious sports mockumentary comedy follows a disgraced former football star who attempts to rebuild his shattered reputation after a massive gambling scandal. To rehab his image, he hires a filmmaker to document his journey, but the entire process gets beautifully messy as his chaotic personal life, family drama, and past mistakes constantly get in the way.
“Fightland”
If you enjoy something a little gritty, you are definitely going to want to check out the upcoming Starz series, “Fightland,” premiering July 31. Executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, this intense drama stars Howard Charles as a former boxing champion navigating London’s underground to seek revenge against those who betrayed him. With a dynamic cast that also includes Deborah Ayorinde, we already know that we are going to be hooked.
“I Will Find You”
Netflix’s highly anticipated mystery thriller “I Will Find You” is centered on a father serving a life sentence for the murder of his own son, only to receive shocking evidence that his child may actually be alive. Starring Logan Browning and Chi McBride, the story takes viewers on a ride to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance. To save his son, he must pull off a daring prison break while evading the authorities. Be sure to add this series to your summer watchlist when all episodes drop on June 18, 2026.
