
Escape reality with these 10 TV shows featuring diverse leads and exploring themes of identity. Grab your snacks and start streaming!

28 Feb, 2025
The world is petrifying. Especially for all the She-s, He-s, and They-s. Rather than reading or watching the news, all the her-s, his-s, and them-s, will unanimously agree, that they would rather crawl under a heavy blanket, along with a warm four-legged or two-legged Pookie, and watch some silly and funny series while scooping into a tub of Ben-N-Jerry (Or lays or pizza or chicken wings, if that’s what y’all are into. DEI, remember???).
Let us pretend to forget about this abysmal and terror-striking reality by indulging in these 10 TV Series where POC (People of Colour), Women, and the LGBTQAI+ community take the reins and show us a real good time.
Hey, I know y’all are busy. But hey, these shows are under 30 minutes. Binge Watch, here we come!!!
* Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity
Mr. Iglesias

Copyright Netflix, IMDb
The American sitcom with the famous Mexican-American standup comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias as the lead Gabe Iglesias—a kind and hilarious high history school teacher—who works at his alma mater, predominantly attended by Mexican American students. The series explores Gabe’s sobriety, the cultural perspectives of new-Gen Latinx students, finding love as a traditionally ‘larger bodied’ person, and Gabe’s belief that teaching can change a person’s life as once it did his.
Where to watch: Netflix
Language: English
Number of Seasons: 2 (June 21, 2019—December 8, 2020)
Running time: 26-32 minutes.
Score: 76% Rotten 🍅 | 7.1/10 (IMDb)
Midnight Dinner

Copyrights Netflix
A Japanese TV anthology series based on the manga Shin’ya Shokudō by Yarō Abe. The show happens at a nameless late-night dinner in Tokyo and delves into the mysterious chef—‘Master’, called by his regulars- their conversations, and a sneak peek into many ‘regulars’ lives. The preparation of several traditional Japanese dishes at the end of each episode should entice you to put the show on your watchlist.
Where to watch: Netflix
Language: Japanese
Number of Seasons: 5 (2009-2014 | 2016-2019)
Running time: minutes.
Score: 8.6/10 (IMDb)
One Day At A Time

Copyright Netflix
Reimagining the 1975 original series of the same name, One Day at a Time explores the life of a newly single mother—Penelope Alvarez, a Cuban American ex-Army nurse corps- and her struggles in raising her teenage kids with the ‘help’ of her mother, portrayed by the famous Rita Moreno. It also explores coming out to a Latina family, the life of Latinx in the USA, PTSD of army veterans, alcoholism, and how family and humor help one to embrace life, no matter how difficult it becomes.
Where to watch: Netflix
Language: English/ Spanglish
Number of Seasons: 4 (January 6, 2017—June 16, 2020)
Running time: 21-35 minutes.
Score: 99 % Rotten 🍅 | 8.1/10 (IMDb)
The Franchise

Copyright BlackFlix, HBO
An American satire comedy that depicts the behind-the-scenes look of an unloved superhero film franchise. The series follows the overworked first assistant director (1st AD) Daniel Kumar, played by Himesh Patel, the problems he deals with on the set every day, the chaotic demands of superstars, and the tumultuous inside world of the cutthroat showbiz industry.
Where to watch: HBO Max
Language: English
Number of Seasons: 1 (October 6 - November 24, 2024)
Running time: 27-29 minutes.
Score: 74 % Rotten 🍅 | 6.5/10 (IMDb)
Hacks

Copyrights HBO Max
An American women-led comedy-drama series that explores a dark mentorship between Deborah Vance, an aging, renowned, and self-centred Las Vegas-based stand-up comedian, and Ava, an entitled outcast Gen-Z writer. It depicts how Deborah, portrayed by the famous Jean Smart, reinvents herself, how Ava pushes Deborah to take more career risks, and the friendship formed between these similar and strong women. The series has received critical acclaim and has won accolades, including Primetime Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards.
Where to watch: HBO Max | Netflix
Language: English
Number of Seasons: 3 (May 2, 2024—present)
Running time: 26- 35 minutes.
Score: 99 % Rotten 🍅 | 8.2/10 (IMDb)
Abbott Elementary

Copyright ABC
An American mockumentary sitcom that deals with the workplace comedy between a group of dedicated teachers and a tone-deaf principal of Wiliard R Abbott Elementary School, a predominantly Black Philadelphia public school. A documentary crew, led by art students, records the lives and the problems faced by this under-funded and mismanaged school and how an optimistic second-grade teacher, Janine Teague, is determined to help her students despite their circumstances. The show has everything for anyone: workplace drama to friendship, romance to belly-clutching-humor, and sassy young students.
Where to watch: HBO Max | Prime Video
Language: English
Number of Seasons: 4 (December 7, 2021—present)
Running time: 22 minutes.
Score: 99 % Rotten 🍅 | 8.2/10 (IMDb)
The Manny

Copyright Netflix
The Manny or El niñero, is a Mexican series that portrays the life of a male nanny or a Manny, hired by Jimena, a busy executive competing for the presidency of the company run by her father. Gabby, the Manny, also a rancher, wins the hearts of her three unruly children and challenges her view of gender roles. Is the Prefect ranchero Gabby working for Jimena because he is head-over-heels about her and her kids, or does he have an ulterior motive? To find out, check it on –
Where to watch: Netflix
Language: Spanish
Number of Seasons: 2 (2023—Present)
Running time: 30 minutes.
Score: 86 % Rotten 🍅 | 6.6/10 (IMDb)
What We Do in The Shadows

Copyright FX Production, LLC
Based on the 2014 New Zealand film of the same name created and directed by Taika Waititi and Clement, this comedy-horror mockumentary fantasy series follows the lives of four vampires who live with their human familiar Guillermo, a descendant of vampire hunter Van Helsing. Residing in a mansion in Staten Island, Nandor, Lazslo, and Nadja, the traditional vampires, and Colin Robinson, the energy vampire, routinely clash with the modern world and other supernatural entities. It explores the relationship between these four vampires and Guillermo’s earnest endeavors to create a balance between them.
Where to watch: Hulu
Language: English
Number of Seasons: 6 (March 27, 2019 - December 16, 2024)
Running time: 22-30 minutes.
Score: 96 % Rotten 🍅 | 8.6/10 (IMDb)
Kim’s Convenience

Copyright Bleeding Cool
A heartfelt and funny Canadian television sitcom depicts the life of a Korean-Canadian family running a convenience store in downtown Toronto. Mr. and Mrs. Kim (Appa and Umma—Korean for Dad and Mom) immigrated to Toronto during the 80s and had two kids, Jung and Janet, who are now young adults. However, Appa and Jung had a fallout and have been estranged since. To find out more about their family dynamics, friendship, courtship, and heartbreaks, you can watch the series on –
Where to watch: Netflix | Prime Video
Language: English
Number of Seasons (October 11, 2016—April 13, 2021)
Running time: 25-30 minutes.
Score: 8.2/10(IMDb)
The Chair

Copyrights TV Insider, Netflix
An American comedy-drama depicts the life of Prof. Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh), the newly appointed, first woman of color, Chair of the English department of a fictional Pembroke University. It explores her attempts to ensure the tenure ship of her young black colleague, navigating her family life with her adopted daughter, and negotiating her relationship with her crush and colleague, Bill Dobson. The 6-part series created by Amanda Peet and Annie Wyman takes a comedic look at the high stakes in academia.
Where to watch: Netflix | Apple TV
Language: English
Number of Seasons: 1 (August 20, 2021)
Running time: 30 minutes.
Score: 86 % Rotten 🍅 | 7.2/10 (IMDb)
Why are you still here? Go get your Ben-N-Jerry's or Pringles or Popcorns and start streaming these shows. Happy Watching, Pookies!!!
An avid reader, movement artist, theater practitioner, writer, and aspiring doodler.