Hollywood Black: Full list of cast in the docuseries

Ava DuVernay in a still from Hollywood Black (Image via MGM+)

Hollywood Black will be released on MGM+ on August 11, 2024. Directed by Justin Simien, this upcoming docuseries will delve into the historical and contemporary experiences of Black people in the film industry.

The official synopsis of the docuseries reads:

“Chronicling the history of cinema from a radically Black perspective, this docuseries unearths personal stories from actors, writers, directors and producers who fought for their place on the page, behind the camera and on the screen.”

The docuseries is inspired by the 2019 book Hollywood Black: The Stars, the Films, the Filmmakers by historian Donald Bogle. The docuseries will feature a host of talking heads who will illustrate the Black artists’ perception of Hollywood.

Hollywood Black: Full list of cast

Issa Rae

The multi-talented actress, writer, and producer will be seen in the docuseries. Famous for her roles in TV shows like Insecure (2016–2021), and films like The Lovebirds (2020), and Barbie (2023), among others, Rae is also the celebrated author of the 2015 memoir The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.

Racquel J. Gates

In order to present the history of Hollywood from a Black perspective, the docuseries features scholars as well as artists. Gates is an Associate Professor of Film at Columbia University. Having received her PhD from Northwestern University’s Department of Screen Cultures, she has penned the scholarly text Double Negative: The Black Image and Popular Culture (2018).

Donald Bogle

Bogle, from one of whose books the docuseries is inspired, makes an appearance in Hollywood Black as well. A noted film historian, Bogle has authored several books on the history of the Black artists in Hollywood.

His books include titles like Blacks in American Film and Television: An Illustrated Encyclopedia (1988), and Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams: The Story of Black Hollywood (2005), among others.

Ava DuVernay

DuVernay is one of the several Black female directors seen in the docuseries. Her film Selma (2014), a biopic on Martin Luther King Jr., fetched her a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Director, making her the first Black woman to receive the nomination. She is also famous for other directorial efforts like Origin (2023), and This is the Life (2008), among others.

Ernest Dickerson

Dickerson started his career as a cinematographer, frequently collaborating with Spike Lee on films like School Daze (1988), Malcolm X (1992), and others. As director, he garnered fame for projects like Juice (1992), and Never Die Alone (2004), among others. Additionally, he has directed several episodes of critically acclaimed TV shows like The Wire, Dexter, The Walking Dead, and others.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker is another celebrity Black artist appearing as a talking head in Hollywood Black. Known for starring in films like Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), and Arrival (2016), among many others, Whitaker won the Academy Award for his performance in The Last King of Scotland (2006). He has also directed films like Waiting to Exhale (1995), Hope Floats (1998), and more.

Other Black artists and scholars appearing in Hollywood Black

Jacqueline Stewart
Gina Prince-Bythewood
Cheryl Dunye
Melina Matsoukas
Lena Waithe
LaKeith Stanfield
Gabrielle Union
Steven Caple

Hollywood Black: Episodes and release dates

The 4-part docuseries on MGM+ explores the history of Black artists and workers in contributing to the industry of Hollywood. Starting from the silent era and ending at present, the docuseries seeks to show how Blacks have historically been perceived in Hollywood, and how those perceptions are gradually changing.

The following table shows the names and release dates of each of the 4 episodes:

Episode number	Episode name	Release date
1	Built On Our Backs	August 11, 2024
2	The Defiant Ones	August 18, 2024
3	The Price of Admission	August 25, 2024
4	Dear Black People	September 1, 2024

Hollywood Black episode 1 will be released only on MGM+ on August 11, 2024.

Edited by Tiasha