Dear White People (TV series)

Dear White People
Genre Comedy-drama
Satire
Created by Justin Simien
Based on Dear White People
by Justin Simien
Starring
Narrated by Giancarlo Esposito
Composer(s) Kris Bowers
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 20 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Running time 21–35 minutes
Production company(s)
Distributor Netflix
Release
Original network Netflix
Original release April 28, 2017 (2017-04-28) – present (present)

Dear White People is an American comedy-drama television series on Netflix that follows several black college students at an Ivy League institution, touching on issues surrounding modern American race relations. It is based on the 2014 film of the same name.[1] The film's writer and director, Justin Simien, returned to write and direct episodes of the series.[2] Each episode focuses on a particular character, except for the finale. Netflix ordered ten 30-minute episodes and the first season was released on April 28, 2017.[3][4] On June 30, 2017, Netflix renewed the series for a second season which premiered on May 4, 2018.[5][6] On June 21, 2018 the series was renewed for a third season.[7]

Cast and characters

Main characters

Recurring characters

  • Obba Babatundé as Dean Fairbanks[8]
  • Ally Maki as Ikumi
  • Caitlin Carver as Muffy Tuttle
  • Wyatt Nash as Kurt Fletcher[9]
  • John Rubinstein as President Fletcher, Kurt's father
  • Brant Daugherty as Thane Lockwood[10]
  • Nia Long as Neika Hobbs[11]
  • Nia Jervier as Kelsey Phillips.[9] Jervier reprises her role from the film (the character is credited as "Coco's Friend" in the film).
  • DJ Blickenstaff as Silvio
  • Courtney Sauls as Brooke. Sauls reprises her role from the film (the character is credited as "Wild" in the film).
  • Jeremy Tardy as Rashid Bakr[12]
  • Jemar Michael as Al.[13] Michael reprises his role from the film (the character is credited as "Smoothe" in the film).
  • Francia Raisa as Vanessa
  • Alex Alcheh as Milo
  • Lena Waithe as P. Ninny. Waithe was a producer for the film.
  • Tessa Thompson (two episodes) as Rikki Carter. Thompson stars as Samantha White in the film.
  • Tyler James Williams (two episodes) as Carson Rhodes. Williams stars as Lionel Higgins in the film.
  • Brandon Alter (one episode) as George. Alter reprises his role from the film.
  • Wendy Raquel Robinson (one episode) as Tina White.

Episodes

Volume 1 (2017)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byFeatured character(s)Original release date
11"Chapter I"Justin SimienJustin SimienSamanthaApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
As Winchester College radio host, Samantha "Sam" White, leads the outcry over a blackface party on campus, a revelation about her love life puts her in an awkward spot.
22"Chapter II"Justin SimienJustin SimienLionelApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
Buoyed by his front-page story on the party, shy reporter of The Winchester Independent, Lionel begins to come out of his shell and embrace his true identity.
33"Chapter III"Tina MabryChuck HaywardTroyApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
Golden boy, Troy, schmoozes his way around campus at his dad's behest, campaigning for student body president. But his smile hides nagging doubts.
44"Chapter IV"Tina MabryNjeri BrownCocoApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
As Coco gears up for an exclusive soiree, a fight with Sam stirs up memories of their friendship -- and the differences that drove them apart.
55"Chapter V"Barry JenkinsChuck Hayward & Jack MooreReggieApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
Friends drag Reggie out on the town to stop him from brooding over the revolution and Sam's new beau. But the night takes a harrowing turn.
66"Chapter VI"Steven TsuchidaLeann BowenSamanthaApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
Shell-shocked, Sam and company plan a protest against the campus police, while Reggie finds his own way to process the ordeal.
77"Chapter VII"Nisha GanatraJack MooreGabeApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
Picking up on the chemistry between Sam and Reggie, Gabe obsesses over the state of his relationship -- and makes a startling confession to Joelle.
88"Chapter VIII"Charlie McDowellNastaran DibaiLionelApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
To show just how pervasive Winchester's race problems are, Lionel sets out to write a feature on Troy and makes some unexpected discoveries.
99"Chapter IX"Nisha GanatraChuck Hayward & Jack MooreCocoApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
Coco jumps at the chance to join Troy at a party for wealthy donors, but the evening leaves her questioning his priorities.
1010"Chapter X"Justin SimienJustin SimiennoneApril 28, 2017 (2017-04-28)
With tensions running high before the town hall, Sam tries to patch up her relationship, Coco steals Troy's thunder, and Lionel makes a bold move.

Volume 2 (2018)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byFeatured character(s)Original release date
111"Chapter I"Justin SimienJustin SimienSamanthaMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
In the wake of the town hall protest, Sam finds herself at the center of an alt-right backlash and goes to war with a social media troll.
122"Chapter II"Kevin BrayChuck HaywardReggieMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
Reggie suffers flashbacks from being held at gunpoint by campus police (who assumed he "didn't belong" at university until a white student intervened to "vouch" for him). Support comes from an unexpected figure.
133"Chapter III"Charlie McDowellJustin SimienLionelMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
Lionel party-hops with Silvio and discovers a new friend, Wesley.
144"Chapter IV"Kimberly PeirceNjeri BrownCocoMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
CoCo makes a life-changing decision, with the support of an unexpected friend.
155"Chapter V"Salli Richardson-WhitfieldLeann BowenJoelleMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
Joelle meets her competitor for top-grade in anatomy and they're not at all what she expected.
166"Chapter VI"Justin SimienJack Moore & Chuck HaywardLionelMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
Lionel must juggle his personal life and faux-professional obligations while helping Brooke hunt down the mysterious alt-right internet troll. All they find is the shocking fate of Sorbet, Kelsey's stolen medically prescribed comfort dog, but the evening holds a few more surprises for Lionel.
177"Chapter VII"Steven TsuchidaYvette Lee Bowser & Nastaran DibaiTroyMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
Troy finds his voice, comedic and otherwise, by partially confronting the pain he's caused others -- Reggie, Sam and Coco.
188"Chapter VIII"Justin SimienJack MooreGabeMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
Gabe interviews Sam for his documentary film, "Am I racist?" Feelings simmer as the former lovers engage in personal and heated discussion about the fine line between using white privilege to dismantle white supremacy and the self-aggrandizement of the white savior complex. What does their passionate exchange and bad news for Sam entail for their relationship?
199"Chapter IX"Janicza BravoNastaran Dibai & Yvette Lee BowserSamanthaMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
Sam, Joelle and Coco drive to Sam's childhood home in the suburbs for an event that brings the whole family together. Sam confronts her mother, Tina, about withholding information. Mother and daughter reconcile over a letter, while Joelle and Coco reconcile over cosmetics.
2010"Chapter X"Justin SimienNjeri Brown & Justin SimiennoneMay 4, 2018 (2018-05-04)
As Rikki Carter arrives on campus, Reggie and Joelle finally come to an agreement over their relationship, prompting Sam and Gabe to reach an accord as well. Sam's confrontation with Rikki doesn't go as planned, but thanks to Coco and her most unexpected of allies, neither does Rikki's speech. Lionel and Sam try and join the mysterious Order of X.

Reception

Critical response

The first two episodes of the series were previewed at SXSW, where The Hollywood Reporter spoke positively of the series, stating, "Retaining all of its razor-sharp wit and then some, Dear White People, Justin Simien’s acclaimed 2014 big-screen satire of racial relations and identity set at a fictional Ivy League college, has transferred impressively to TV."[14] Peter Debruge, writing for Variety, praised the show's writing, directing, social commentary, and cast.[15] The New York Times praised the show's examination of concerns such as appropriation, assimilation, and conflict.[16]

On Rotten Tomatoes, season one held an approval rating of 100% based on 47 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 8.59/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Timely, provocative, and sharply written, Dear White People is an entertaining blend of social commentary and incisive humor."[17] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 85 out of 100, based on 21 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[18]

On Rotten Tomatoes, season two holds an approval rating of 100% based on 25 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 9.58/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Dear White People's endearing excellence returns, but with an added layer of emotional maturity that enhances the show's powerful, relevant meditations on race relations in America."[19] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 89 out of 100, based on 7 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[20]

Controversy

The initial trailer for the TV show attracted some angry responses, with the series being accused by some Twitter users of being racist to white people; they called for a boycott of Netflix.[21][22][23] The YouTube trailer for the series received more "dislikes" than "likes",[24][25] with RT observing a 10:1 ratio of dislikes-to-likes as of 11 February 2017.[26] Series creator Justin Simien responded positively to the backlash, saying it reiterated the point of the series, and brought more attention to it as well.[27] Lead actress Logan Browning noted that many of the critics who have given the show rave reviews are white.[22]

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2017 Gotham Independent Film Awards Breakthrough Series – Long Form Dear White People Nominated [28]

References

  1. ↑ Lawler, Richard (May 5, 2016). "Netflix orders a series based on the movie 'Dear White People'". Engadget.
  2. ↑ Holloway, Daniel (5 May 2016). "'Dear White People' Series Ordered at Netflix". Variety.
  3. ↑ Petski, Denise (February 8, 2017). "'Dear White People' Gets Netflix Premiere Date & Teaser". Deadline.
  4. 1 2 3 Evans, Greg (21 July 2016). "Netflix's 'Dear White People' Casts Brandon P. Bell & Logan Browning". Deadline.
  5. ↑ Petski, Denise (2017-06-30). "'Dear White People' Renewed For Season 2 At Netflix". Deadline. Retrieved 2017-07-01.
  6. ↑ Netflix (2018-04-14), Dear White People - Vol. 2 | On The Issues Teaser [HD] | Netflix, retrieved 2018-04-14
  7. ↑ "'Dear White People' Renewed for Season 3 at Netflix". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Petski, Denise (1 September 2016). "'Dear White People' Netflix Series Rounds Out Cast As Production Begins". Deadline.
  9. 1 2 Petski, Denise (7 September 2016). "'Dear White People' Netflix Series Casts Nia Jervier & Wyatt Nash As Recurring". Deadline.
  10. ↑ Petski, Denise (14 September 2016). "Brant Daugherty To Recur In 'Dear White People' Netflix Comedy Series". Deadline.
  11. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (29 September 2016). "'Dear White People': Nia Long To Recur On Netflix Series". Deadline.
  12. ↑ Petski, Denise (21 September 2016). "'Dear White People': Jeremy Tardy To Recur On Netflix Comedy Series". Deadline.
  13. ↑ Petski, Denise (28 September 2016). "'The Handmaid's Tale' Casts Amanda Brugel; Jemar Michael Joins 'Dear White People'". Deadline.
  14. ↑ "'Dear White People': TV Review - SXSW 2017".
  15. ↑ Debruge, Peter (March 13, 2017). "SXSW TV Review: 'Dear White People' on Netflix". Variety. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
  16. ↑ Poniekwozik, James (April 27, 2017). "Dear White People Review".
  17. ↑ "Dear White People (2017)". Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Dear White People: Season 1 reviews". Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Dear White People Season 2". Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Dear White People: Season 2 reviews". Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  21. ↑ "Dear White People trailer accused of, erm, racism". Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  22. 1 2 Director, Cavan Sieczkowski Deputy; News; Analytics (9 February 2017). "'Dear White People' Cast Take On Trolls Calling For Netflix Boycott". Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  23. ↑ "Watch Controversial Trailer for Netflix's 'Dear White People' Series". Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  24. ↑ Chris Graham: 'Dear White People' trailer sparks backlash as Netflix faces claims of racism. The Telegraph, 2017-02-09
  25. ↑ Andrew Filfield: Netflix's Dear White People inspires yet another #Boycott. Metronews (Canada), 2017-02-13
  26. ↑ "'Dear White People' trailer fans flames of America's racial divide, as expected".
  27. ↑ Stacy Lampe: EXCLUSIVE: 'Dear White People' Creator Justin Simien Responds to Netflix Boycott at msn.com, 2017-02-09
  28. ↑ Erbland, Kate (19 October 2017). "'Get Out' Leads 2017 Gotham Awards Nominations". IndieWire. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
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