Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tense psychological thriller can teach about racism.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Other Black Girl
What's the Story?
THE OTHER BLACK GIRL follows Nella (Sinclair Daniel), the only Black woman at her place of work, prestigious publishing house Wagner Books. Hazel-May (Ashleigh Murray) joins the workplace, and as Nella befriends her, she begins to learn more about her and the past history of Wagner Books, including the fate of another Black woman who worked there years prior.
Is It Any Good?
This a fine adaptation of Zakiya Dalila Harris' book but it's tough to say if the series is for everyone due to its voyeuristic nature into the experiences of Black life. Some Black viewers might feel turned off by The Other Black Girl because it addresses issues they've already faced in their lives and feel no need to see them dramatized. Other Black viewers who've also experienced similar microaggressions might feel comforted by the show and enjoy seeing these issues being brought to a larger audience. The audience that might appreciate it the most are White viewers who are still learning about the microaggressions Black people and other people of color face daily.
While the series doesn't make a mockery of issues Black people face, some Black viewers might be tired of seeing media that mimics Jordan Peele's horror and thriller sensibilities. It's fine to have media that addresses real-life racial issues, but it's also just as valuable for audiences to see Black joy -- or even Black averageness -- to fully humanize Blackness in their minds; Black life isn't just about struggle or paranoia. With that said, The Other Black Girl serves a valuable purpose in giving voice to the often unspoken pangs of Black womanhood.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the show handles racial topics. How does The Other Black Girl address racism?
What are some of the microaggressions tackled in the series?
How does the series represent Black women?
How does the series use horror to address societal issues?
What conclusions can you draw from the series regarding race in the workplace?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 13, 2023
- Cast : Sinclair Daniel , Ashleigh Murray , Eric McCormack , Bellamy Young
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Drama
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 10, 2025
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