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Parents' Guide to

Our Kind Of People

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

History-inspired soapy drama has plot twists, some sex.

TV Fox Drama 2021
Our Kind Of People Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

Inspired by a book written by Lawrence Otis Graham, OUR KIND OF PEOPLE is a dramatic series about a single mother who wants to reclaim her family name. When Angela Vaughn's (Yaya DaCosta) mother Eve (Ashley Nicole-Blake) died, she inherited her recipes for natural hair care and a deed to a building located in the Oak Bluffs corner of Martha's Vineyard. Now Angela, along with her troubled daughter Nikki (Alana Bright), and her Aunt Patricia, a.k.a. Aunt Piggy (played by Debbi Morgan) has moved to Oak Bluffs, known as the summer home for the wealthy Black elite, with hopes of building her hair care business created by, and specifically for, Black women. A chance moment connects to fellow business owner Tyrique Chapman (Lance Gross), and her friend Josephine (Raven Goodwin), who happens to be the local D.A., helps her network among the snobby members of the old affluent families. Among them is executive Raymond Dupont (Morris Chestnut) and his wife, business woman and socialite Lauren Franklin-Dupont (Nadine Ellis), who has plans to take over Franklin Enterprises from her father Teddy (Joe Morton). But soon Lauren and Angela's lives become inextricably linked as secrets from Eve's past begin to emerge.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

This drama offers a soapy story centered on the historic community of Martha's Vineyard's wealthy Black elites. Like any soap opera, it has an extensive ensemble cast, the lives of whom intersect in various ways with lots of twists and turns. But they unfold quickly, and the episodes seem to race through plot lines that, for all intents and purposes, could be teased out a little more slowly, and with a lot more suspense. There are also some conversations about Black power and supporting people (especially women) in the Black community, but the writing isn't quite sharp enough to elevate these moments beyond rhetorical vehicles to move the story forward. Nonetheless, Our Kind Of People still manages to deliver an indulgent viewing experience, and one that acknowledges the history and significance of the Black upper class.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Black history and Martha's Vineyard. How did Oak Bluffs become known for its Black population? Did you know about this part of the US and its history?

  • Do you think Our Kind Of People offers a fair representation of class, and class divisions, within the Black community? Or is it extra dramatic for entertainment purposes?

TV Details

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