The Wasted Potential of Kendra the Vampire Slayer

Promo of Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and the next Slayer in line, Kendra (Bianca Lawson).

Almost twenty-seven years ago, just episodes after Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s Inca Mummy Girl featured a nonwhite guest star Ara Celi (which did not age well), the two-parter What’s My Line saga featured the first appearance of the iconic Kendra (portrayed by the phenomenal Bianca Lawson). The no-surname-having second slayer was called after Buffy Summers’s short death in season one’s Prophecy Girl. It matters not that Buffy had been revived, let alone back to work in tip top shape. Her replacement is coming.

Mind you, six months later. 

The beautiful, mysterious Kendra had a feline grace in her fighting prowess. Of course, they wanted us to believe she was an Order of Taraka assassin, the jaguar card. DP: Michael Gershman.

Buffy promo that puts Angel in the center.

Kendra arrives to Sunnydale, California via hidden inside of an airplane cockpit— no tickets for a proper seat, no luggage. Her Watcher Sam Zabuto does not alert Rupert Giles of her arrival (then again this happened with Faith Lehane as well). It’s unclear on what Kendra’s done since knocking out an airport employee in the light of day. At night, however, Kendra sees Buffy and vamp faced Angel making out at the skate rink. Thus, she either has impressive vampire radar skills or the girl’s been tailing Buffy for reasons unknown. Kendra later fights Angel at Willy’s club and gains the upper hand, imprisoning Angel to meet the sunlight. Somehow, Kendra finds Angel’s apartment and almost kills a napping Buffy. In the midst of the battle, Buffy asks who her attacker is despite knowing that The Order of Taraka trails her (she doesn’t ask the other two assassins who they are). 

A gloomy Buffy is not a fan of Kendra and Giles sharing jokes. However, it’s nice to see Kendra laugh. Between diligent training and learning books on demonology, she’s probably ironed to ignore any emotion— fun and joy mainly. DP: Michael Gershman.

In the second part, Kendra shows that she’s quite the proficient Slayer, trained in both combat and inherent book knowledge. The studious Slayer bonds quickly with Giles, laughing over the footnotes and recommending readings that the Sunnydale Watcher finds useful. Meanwhile, Buffy’s minor jealousy comes crashing out as she nicknames the fellow Slayer, a She-Giles. Willow Rosenberg encourages Buffy with “you’re the real Slayer” and makes no attempts to befriend Kendra.

While she’s good at pouncing on Buffy’s friends and the slimy Willy, Kendra’s booksmarts do not fully prepare her for real-life field work. During the big showdown, helping Buffy and her team free a kidnapped Angel, Kendra’s easily bested by the advanced Spike, not managing to block his hits very well. It further proves that she should have stayed in town in order to learn more technique. Unless there’s a Hellmouth in Jamaica, why does Kendra need to return to the islands if prepared (or as prepared as she can be) to face the greater evils? 

Even though she’s only known her for a day, Kendra is brave enough to address certain things to Buffy that Giles doesn’t. Giles gives his Slayer a lot of freedom, an action that surprises Kendra. DP: Michael Gershman.

Most importantly, Kendra wisely remarks on the dangers of having the former villainous Angelus cloud Buffy’s judgment. This heavy foreshadowing indicates that her hormonal heart distracts Buffy from the main duties at hand— saving the world. If Angel had died during the ritual, less peril for the future. A few episodes later, Buffy and Angel grow closer (often making out like crazy during patrols), he then loses his soul, causing a devastated Buffy to wait many months to kill him, leaving a wake of bodies including her fellow classmates. So yes, it would have been beneficial if Kendra returned immediately after the events of Surprise and Innocence. Spike and Drusilla were confirmed to be still alive, especially with the addition of Angelus. Kendra could have aided in taking up the reigns (not Giles) as Buffy dealt with her depression in the middle of junior year.

“You talk about skating like it’s a job. It’s who you are”—Kendra to Buffy on reconsidering negative, defeatist attitude regarding being a Slayer. DP: Michael Gershman.

Another six months later, when Angelus seeks to destroy the world much like The Judge, Kendra finally returns for the another two-parter, the Becoming saga (well, for one episode). Kendra has evolved slightly in fashion, sporting an olive green tank top, black leather jacket, and a thin necklace. She’s also a bit more open, prone to infectious smiling, and tells a few wisecracks. Buffy’s American slang and demeanor has rubbed off, softening the robotic warrior undertones of Kendra’s earlier appearance. Again, this significant character arc would have been rewarding to see onscreen, seeing how Kendra progressed both as a person and a supernatural force. 

Kendra gives Buffy two gifts— a sword and a stake. The sword was blessed by monks that defeated Acathla’s first rise to power— a blessed heritage from Kendra’s own community. Although she’s an excellent swordswoman, Kendra is not meant to fight against Angelus. Whereas Angel’s weakness lies in harming humans as little as possible unless provoked, the remorseless Angelus would have outmaneuvered Kendra in a heartbeat. Plus, it’s less poetic. The battle is between lovers turned enemies. Mr. Pointy, a sophisticatedly carved stake, Buffy will have among her possessions for years. That’s humor in itself, a Slayer naming her weapon. It would have been so un-Kendra like. Still, it’s sad because not only does Kendra believe Buffy will kill Angelus with it, this intimate moment will be their final exchange in the series. 

Kendra gives Buffy Mr. Pointy. DP: Michael Gershman.

When it comes to the most tragic character deaths in the series, folks often highlight Buffy’s mother Joyce Summers’s demise in I Was Made To Love You / The Body or Buffy’s heroic self-sacrifice in The Gift. Kendra, however, embodied “gone too soon.” Kendra doesn’t stand a chance in a horrific trap (eccentric considering Buffy and her friends usually can sense these). Drusilla and her minions storm the library and hurt everyone in order to kidnap Giles. Unfortunately, as witnessed in an earlier battle with Spike, Kendra is no match for his superior girlfriend. Under the hypnosis, Drusilla slits Kendra’s throat, causing the young Slayer to fall to the ground, bleeding out. It’s as offensive as Spike’s own kill of Slayer Nikki Woods. According to Slayer lore, Slayer blood is the most alluring, most valued to drink from. In two instances, these two European vampires let them go untasted. 

Kendra is hypnotized to her death by full-strength vampire Drusilla (Juliet Landau). DP: Michael Gershman.

Poor Kendra.

An innocent woman trained to be a soldier via through the cold Watchers Council grew to find the value in a Slayer having friendships too late.

Furthermore, the glaring cons of Kendra’s characterization leaves a lot to process. Firstly, Kendra grew up isolated from her family and peers, having no friends, no connections other than fulfilling duty. She almost symbolizes the premiere minority student selected into a predominantly white gifted program (or a PWI institution) and seeing limited reflection of themselves among the students and staff. The purpose of Slayerhood is to operate alone. Sadly, Kendra represents why that often fails. The previous Jamaican accent was terrible, sounding as though latched on seconds before the cameras rolled. Portrayer Bianca Lawson said in SFX Magazine: 

“I really hated that accent! I got the part, and I didn't originally have an accent. Then, literally the night before, they said, ‘What about a Jamaican accent?’ I didn't have a chance to get comfortable with it. And the thing is, certain things - if you say it properly [in Jamaican patois], people don't really fully understand it, so they would change things. They'd say, "Well, say it like this" and it's like, "Would that be accurate in that accent though?" ‘It doesn't matter because no-one's going to understand you!’”

Why was it so important for production to force an accent and not make Kendra an American girl raised in the states like Faith and the others? Talk about the erasure of Black American women. It would have been better if they selected an actual Jamaican actress. This was an example of problematic portrayals regarding Caribbean/African peoples in their imaginations so hellbent on inventing narratives on cultures that already exist. 

Furthermore, Kendra arrived in one outfit— a long sleeved, midriff bearing top, fuchsia drawstring pants, a necklace, and choker. It looked an outdated perception on ethnic appearances than the reality of late 1990s Caribbean fashion. Maybe we’re supposed to believe that since raised by Zabuto, the Watcher lives in the dark ages, teaching her skills and not the clothes of the day. Imagine if Giles raised Buffy and enforced eccentric fashion habits on her. 

Kendra with the pivotal sword that will soon send Angel elsewhere. DP: Michael Gershman.

Lawson— like Sarah Michelle Gellar— would have been Cordelia Chase (meant to be killed off in season one). Lawson did a great job with the material the production required of her. She’s why we remain memorializing this character— a character that needed more time for viewers to know. It goes beyond the braided updo with the puffed out ponytail, the smoldering eyes, glossy lipstick, and the funny one-liner about losing her only shirt. She transcended the material of white writers who wrote about blackness with inauthentic depictions mixed in with the Chosen One folklore. Thus, it makes it all the more wonderful to see Lawson move onto more nuanced roles such as the frail, sobered Darla Sutton-Bordelon in Ava DuVernay’s poignant Queen Sugar.

Still, every time Kendra’s three episodes come on, you cannot help rewatching and wishing that this Slayer had as big of a role as Faith, the season three Slayer, the last of a unique line. Kendra deserved so much more. 

For starters, why did it take a comic book to give her a last name— a glimpse of her voice? 

Another ‘Abbott Elementary’ Couple Bites The Dust In An Unexpected Way

 

Jacob and Zach during happier times in season one’s Zoo Balloon.

Abbott Elementary’s Zach and Jacob delivered another heartbreak on our beloved comedy. The season three premiere previously showed Melissa dumping her boyfriend Gary, the vending machine guy while Gregory put an abrupt period on whatever could have been between him and Janine. Plus, Janine has temporarily left her treasured second grade classroom for a fellowship office at the school district. Since January, it seemed the audience emerged straight into a Philadelphia cold front.

Everyone shifted. Nothing was the same.

Offhandedly, Janine did reveal that she spent her summer with Jacob and Erika. So, where did that leave Zach if not hanging out with his boyfriend and his crust eating queen?

In Break Up, the fifth episode written by Brittani Nichols (Student Transfer, Ava Vs. Superintendent, Fundraiser, Principal’s Office, and Franklin Institute), Zach and Jacob hit a major snag. Instead of expressing his thoughts out loud ala that memorable “outgrowing a person” advice that he gave to Janine in season one’s Work Family, Jacob sets up passive aggressive tactics that would make anyone go insane. So yes, Zach was righteously angry. An intentional Jacob pushed Zach’s buttons— and those overdramatic gasps.... just amazingly conveyed. 

A teary Zach (Larry Owens) agrees that a breakup may be the right thing to do for him and Jacob (Chris Perfetti) in Break Up. DP: Michael J. Pepin.

When Zach realizes that Jacob has been manipulating the situation, a furious Zach snatches off any edges Jacob may have had. In that passionate, insult-filled spiel, Jacob probably realized he shouldn’t have bragged about his successful schemes. Zach releases “the kraken” and spills so much tea that you wonder how Jacob withstood the heat— and this is before teaching his class too. Damn.  

“And you held our team BACK at trivia night!” Zach snarls, emphasizing back with intentional zing.

If you remember in Desking, season one’s eleventh episode, Zach discloses that they came in third place, Jacob adding that it was due to a technicality. 

Zach looks back at Jacob one last time and departs on a singsong “oh my god.” Laughter comes gushing out uncontrollably. That was, hands down, the most funniest breakup ever witnessed. Not a dry eye in the house. While Melissa and Gary were sad yet amicable and Gregory and Janine crushed shipper spirits, Zach made history by going another route altogether. He was in pain, but wanted to make Jacob feel it too, and you had to respect it. 

Still, queer breakups are as tragic as the BYG trope, especially considering that there is so little evidence on network television at present. Streaming services showcase LGBTQIA+ relationships more— and in braver ways. Zach and Jacob appeared more buddy roommates than lovers. Several episodes showcased their major differences— Jacob being anti-holidays and carols while Zach loved singing and preferred people on-key. They always hugged. Never kissed. At least Zach and Jacob had sneakers in common— the thing that brought them together— and Jacob gushed about Zach in that cutesy, fanboy way whenever possible. Also, they loved mythology, Zach referencing the kraken sea monster and Jacob always bringing up Icarus, who flew close to the sun. These two are still in their twenties, the age of constant learning and growing, entering and leaving relationships, building themselves up and maturing in all facets of life. Maybe they can come back someday. Who knows? It’s fascinating to watch Jacob and Zach navigate the contemporary dating scene— even if we don’t get to see Zach’s journey onscreen. Jacob has Gregory and Janine. Together they’re a trio of singles becoming closer than ever. 

Overall, Abbott Elementary’s impressive ensemble kills it every week— guest stars of LGBTQIA+ community included. Sabrina Wu, the eccentric K-pop loving scene stealer of Adele Lim’s raunchy feature-length debut Joy Ride was Janine’s sub teacher of the week, Cassidy Geoffrey. The incredible Larry Owens, Zach’s portrayer who’s won major theater awards galore, must return. He could be a temporary choir teacher pretending not to harbor jealousy over Jacob’s dating “success” stories or just a raucous uncle chaperoning his nephew to eighth grade. Regular Chris Perfetti, our resident Mr. C, remains a wonderful gifted performer, nailing every beat of Jacob’s trials and tribulations.

Now with another couple’s recent demise, is Barbara and Gerald or Ava and Iggie [snorts] safe?

The Promising Evolution of Janine & Gregory

 

Love can still be a splendored thing between friends/coworkers Janine (Quinta Brunson) and Gregory (Tyler James Williams).

Be patient and set aside your clever portmanteaus.  

A few weeks ago, Janine Teagues launched our summer hiatus by surprisingly choosing herself over an immediate relationship with coworker Gregory Eddie in Abbott Elementary’s second season finale, Franklin Institute. Although obviously “in like” with each other, Janine and Gregory simply are not ready to embark on their potential togetherness. It also may be unhealthy for Janine and Gregory to waste other people’s time whilst on the journey to finding themselves as well. They both should refrain from dating anyone and focus on teaching the youngsters. Most importantly, they need to come to terms with their respective childhood traumas. With therapy. Lots of therapy. 

Gregory couldn’t tell Barbara’s daughter Taylor, he didn’t like clam chowder. However, he did tell Janine.

Infectious, optimistic, and extremely upbeat Janine has issues separating her personal life from her teaching. Often, it shows up to school anyway. From the light bulb situation of the first season’s second episode all the way to second season, episode twenty-one’s Mom, Janine carries a heavy emotional load. 

Janine is a good teacher, but it is not surprising that people confuse her as a “big kid.”

Throughout Janine’s high school, college, and early teaching career, she has only been in one relationship. Imagine the significant moments in Janine’s life: a teenager’s first intimacies, homecoming and prom, several graduations, apartments— all experiences shared with Tariq. Janine’s mother Vanetta checks out and sister Ayesha skipped town as a healing mechanism. Thus, leaving a boyfriend who does not always prioritize Janine. In turn, delaying and hindering her improvement possibilities. For the longest time, Janine has been attached, her identity slumped to another man, a man who did not deserve her loyalty, let alone devout longevity. Tariq may be talented and good with children, but he was not good for Janine. 

Next to seeing her kids, Gregory is another good part of Janine’s work day. It’s only right that she continues to savor her joy.

Janine has various immature tendencies: toxic positivity, interfering in situations that are none of her business, not understanding that you can simultaneously like people, and entering into a messy situation with her coworker’s friend while obviously infatuated with said coworker. She should have more time to adapt to single hood, to learn her potential as a young Black woman in Philadelphia hoping to make a change in the corrupt educational system. When Barbara, Melissa, and Ava applauded Janine instead of condemning or making jokes on her single girl trip, that was a step in the right direction. After what has happened in her third teaching year, Janine could build on a stronger relationship with herself, with Ayesha. She’s already gradually setting boundaries with Vanetta.  

Erika (Courtney Taylor) has been a sweet, much-needed addition to Janine’s extremely small circle. 

Moreover, Black love is a form of activism, especially in television and film. The phenomenon is either sparsely sprinkled or tokenism remains alive. Black characters caring about each other and also valuing the self— that takes tremendous effort. It doesn’t always have to imply romance. Abbott Elementary has Barbara bonding further with her work daughter, willing to sacrifice for Janine. Those moments in Mom were beautifully rendered. Unafraid to tell Janine she’s messy, Erika is a blunt and honest encouragement outside of elementary school children and coworkers. Even Ava occasionally seems to give a little heart to Janine (sometimes against Ava’s iron will). At the same time, however, we do appreciate Melissa and Jacob as well because they demonstrate support and respect to Barbara, Janine, Gregory, and Ava (sometimes). 

That leads to Gregory— carving his own path towards Black Boy Joy.

Gregory may be Teacher of the Year, but he has ways to go before truly earning that title. Perhaps by then, he will either stay teaching or become principal with a proud Janine cheering him on. 

Militant Gregory finds comfort in his shell, closed off to people who are not Janine. Sure, Gregory asks Barbara and Melissa for advice on occasion, but he still retains a reserved persona. He lies about small things hating pizza and liking donuts, clandestine gardening, staying in relationships that do not serve him (Taylor and Amber), and reluctant to pursue friendly rapports beyond his circle (important if you want to become principal). Also, Gregory nearly kissing Janine in Holiday Hookah and actually initiating that move two episodes later (a day after his breakup) while she was dating his friend Maurice hints at his more selfish flaws. Let’s not even address the awkward, secondhand embarrassment of Gregory and Janine dumping Maurice together— too much to unpack there. 

Yet, Gregory moves on the cusp of change— declining his father Martin’s offer to join the family gardening business, to continue building on becoming a better teacher (despite that lingering principal desire as seen in Fire), and finally seeing Jacob as a genuine friend, a confidante. Gregory giving into Jacob’s hug at the Franklin Institute after Janine’s rejection (a year after not receiving the principal job) was a tender step in the right direction for his personal developmental growth. Gregory is shedding vulnerability, letting down his guard, and owning his journey to happiness. When he was proudly digging in the garden, acknowledging that the time came to “plant new seeds,” it symbolized perhaps a significant step towards change. 

Janine slowly but surely steps back from parenting her mother Vanetta (Taraji P. Henson).

In his last visit, Martin (Orlando Jones) tells Gregory that he’s proud of his secret progress attending to the school garden.

Martin and Vanetta have both visited Abbott, but have yet to respectively run into Janine and Gregory. Perhaps when the stern Martin meets Janine and kleptomaniac Vanetta meets Gregory, the offspring defends both their friend/co-worker and themselves. You can already imagine Martin believing Janine unworthy of his son or Vanetta just being uninterested altogether in Gregory (she didn’t even know Janine and Tariq broke up). Still, the united front a matured Janine and Gregory could put together against their problematic parents (and the triggers of their harm)… incredible. Moving. Cycle ending. 

Without the convincing chemistry between Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams’s portrayals, Janine and Gregory surely would not be this dynamic. We’ve seen them on A Black Lady Sketch Show and heard their voices in the Harley Quinn episode A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day. Hopefully, Brunson and Williams continue building a solidified partnership on Abbott Elementary and afterwards shift into making films together. If Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut can keep at it, why not Brunson and Williams too? 

Abbott Elementary’s writing has been consistently top notch— and a primary reason to support the WGA strike. We deserve quality television on all fronts and that starts with the writers. Thank the writers for giving us this strong development between Janine and Gregory. May their pens never run dry— especially on this terrific show, on this beautifully rendered slow burning pairing. Whether good friends till the end or the next smolderingly hot couple— either way the blossoming love between Janine and Gregory has sweet possibilities once the characters come to terms with who they truly are. 

‘Abbott Elementary,’ Best Show of the Year

 

Abbott Elementary season two advertisement.

“Janine— as teachers at a school like Abbott, we have to be able to do it all. We are admin. We are social workers. We are therapists. We are second parents. Hell, sometimes we’re even first. Why? It sho ain’t the money.”— Barbara Howard, kindergarten teacher brilliantly played by Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Abbott Elementary is the binge-worthy mockumentary comedy we have been waiting forever on. Every episode has moments delivers laughter and tears thanks to commendable writing and superb acting. 

Everyone had to have a teacher (or principal) that dressed like Janine (Quinta Brunson). Thanks to series costume designer Susan Michalek for crafting that reality. 

The environment at Abbott is not always perfect. They struggle on with old books and limited equipment: expected results of the dwindling public school system that has hurt and hindered a lot of us. The determined Janine Teagues, a too-delightful, competitive spirited second grade teacher, tries to make it as fun and exhilarating as possible. Barbara Howard, the warm, soothing kindergarten teacher with a mean bite and her best bud Melissa Schemetti, the other second grade teacher (and often Janine’s playful nemesis), often side against Janine. Thankfully, Janine does have friends in eighth grade teacher Jacob Hill and newcomer Gregory Eddy, a tight circle that nudges our perky, thrifty fashioned girl in the right direction. 

Jacob, the white do-gooder who traveled throughout Africa, may seem an ill fit to this tight team due to his lengthy rants and desire to be more proactive in civil rights. He often adds the amped up fuel to Janine’s well-meaning schemes, showing to be one of her biggest supporters/allies. Also boyfriend Zac, a lover of sneakers just like Jacob, is simply amazing— funny, gifted vocalist, awesome one-liner delivery! Although Jacob has a hard time zipping his lip, he does sprout insight every once in a while. 

The polar opposite of Janine, Principal Ava (Janelle James) is an iconic fashionista with a style that steals the show episode after episode. 

Principal Ava Coleman, however, operates on various noticeable fronts. In the beginning, she seemed too invested in promoting her image, mainly on social media tools like Tik Tok and Poshmark, building her brand versus helping Abbott in any structural way. She even used emergency funds to have a billboard of her stylish self posted in front of the school and buy new wavy hair instead of purchasing desperately needed rugs for the classrooms. Heck, her green screen office is the primary spot to take incredible videos and seller pictures of her brand name merchandise. She even has her own gaudy bathroom installed in the school basement. Yet, Ava has also taken extreme action under circumstances that would overwhelm even the strongest person. She managed to give a compelling speech on being principal in front of the very person she blackmailed to get the job. She successfully substituted sick Janine’s class— funny considering that Gregory, the former substitute fit for the principal role advised Ava on the importance of using Janine’s folder and that Janine is out because Ava left her sandwich out in the window. Who could forget Ava transforming Janine into the Black Marilyn Monroe (or Dorothy Dandridge) for a Halloween party or giving Janine a lift to another club job with her friends during holiday break? 

When Janine (Quinta Brunson) encouraged Gregory (Tyler James Williams) to add personality to his bare classroom walls, it seemed an open metaphor to shift beyond substitution, for permanence, to make a lasting effort on both the students and perhaps Janine’s heart. 

Janine and Gregory’s potential has been simmering from their very first meeting. Janine—the girl next door— frequently visits Gregory’s nearby classroom and vice versa for either old-fashioned good advice or polite small talk riddled in cartoon hearts. Although not usually a big fan of TV office romances (this Collider article is a good one), something about these two makes it impossible not to root for them going the distance. They share common ground. Gregory, a Black man with an overbearing military father, shares his vulnerabilities to Janine, who has an absent mother and an inner lonely girl syndrome beneath her exterior bubbliness and “toxic positivity.” Yet, Gregory knows every facet about Janine, which makes them all the more endearing, considering that most men fail to pay attention and care. Unlike Janine’s selfish, narcissistic, first and so-far only boyfriend Tarik, Gregory knew her favorite film was Jumanji, noticed her hair parted on the other side, and rescued her from countless mishaps on many occasions. While the advantageous Tarik had a kid spirit about him feeding into Janine’s childlike disposition, Gregory has a mature, sensible vibe that would definitely aide in ensuring Janine’s growth. Janine and Gregory provide an alluring adventure, that’s for certain. Maybe, just maybe too, in the future, Gregory may join his father’s landscape company after all and Janine can remain Abbott’s Most Affectionate Second Grade Teacher. 

In addition to phenomenal writing (thanks to a very inclusive staff) and impeccable direction, Abbott Elementary must be applauded for showcasing diverse body types. There’s still an over abundance of thinness and whiteness celebrated and awarded in both television and film industry. Thus, it is a nice change to see tall and short, curvy and robust figures in leading and supporting roles— a beautiful reflection of the world we actually live in. It’s even noticeable with the interesting side characters— Zac, Jacob’s bespectacled boyfriend, Janine’s new friend Erika (played by Courtney Taylor recently Issa’s assistant on Insecure), and Ashley, Melissa’s annoyingly tone-death assistant.  

Abbott Elementary cast at the Golden Globes, winning for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for Quinta Brunson, Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Tyler James Williams, and Best Comedy Series.

The excellent cast is led by its infectious dimpled creator Quinta Brunson— second Black woman (after Lena Waithe) to win an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series. Fellow Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph— always a charming, warm spirit— delights as church praising Barbara, who often funnily confuses white and Black actors and wears the best red lipsticks. Tyler James Williams—a versatile talent who ranges from comedic chops on Everybody Hates Chris to drama/horror in Dear White People and The Walking Dead (his death scene remains one of the most gruesome)— shines bright as Gregory, the former ambitious principal turned near-reluctant teacher harboring a sweet crush on Janine. Comedian Janelle James brings infinite laughter as a slacking, multitasking yet on occasion wise Principal Ava, Lisa Ann Walters is the tough, sassy South Philly raised Melissa who has “fix-it” people on speed dial, Chris Perfetti plays the corny, overly talkative, well-meaning eighth grade teacher Jacob, and William Bradford Davis effortlessly plays the thoughtful janitor-of-all-trades Mr. Johnson. Every single person puts in work on this impressive ensemble, making a school setting feel authentically homey, hence why Abbott Elementary has received nominations and awards from the Black Reel, Emmys, Gotham, Independent Spirit, Golden Globes, the Writers Guild Association (WGA), the Producers Guild Association (PGA), the NAACP Image Awards, etc. It is an incredible feat—a long time coming actually— to see a Black woman creator deservedly honored and thoroughly loved by Hollywood sailing behind on the tidal wave of Yvette Lee Bowser, Mara Brock Akil, Shonda Rimes, Ava DuVernay, Hanelle Culpepper, Michaela Coel, and Issa Rae.

With its third season renewal from ABC and half the second season left before summer hiatus in the spring, the wonders of Abbott Elementary never cease.

The Resurgence of Natural Hair in TV, The Last Five Years

 

Natural hair is slowly picking up the pace, especially on most streaming platforms. 

Lately, natural hair has been having an incredible renaissance. 

Shaved heads, teenie weenie afros (TWAs), full blow outs, locs, box braids, cornrows, and more are being worn by many Black women characters on television. They are showing off their versatile creative expression of beauty— head first. This thrilling ride gives Black women viewers the extra courage to celebrate themselves in the mirror, to value what’s already there, and also provides immense inspiration for hair salon visits. For so long, the audience had to settle with the ironed image— the straight haired Black woman fitting in with her non-Black counterparts, hiding her roots to impress the masses. Although the straight hair image remains prominent today, actresses are letting their preference shine bright. In the past, nappy, coils, kinky hair was viewed unkempt, unprofessional, unruly— and this would be included in a televised storyline. 

Taylor Bryant’s article, The Problem With Natural Hair On TV, closes with this:

“Hopefully, these shows will act as inspiration for more Black actresses to feel comfortable shedding their wigs before the camera starts rolling. With more women embracing their natural hair IRL, it’s only right that this be accurately — and positively — reflected on the shows they regularly watch.”

One show Bryant highlighted was How to Get Away With Murder. Annalise Keating originally took her makeup and wig off after a hard day’s drama in earlier episodes. This stress related unmasking revealed a secret few were privy to know about her. Except the hair she hid from her workplace was gorgeous— always well moisturized and trimmed. Why cover such perfection? By the final season, however, Annalise wore her natural afro with pride and power; enhancing the strength and dignity of her character’s phenomenal growth. Natural hair is beautiful, resilient, and authentic. 

While characters like Florida Evans in the classic Good Times are still remembered, modern contemporary shows such as Insecure, Black Lightning, Queen Sugar, Greenleaf, and Blood & Water feature the flawless elegance of Black women’s natural hairstyles, a limitless range that was historically vilified (still is in some instances). This new wave of a positive intentional approach to Black women’s beauty— a validity growing from small screen to film— seems a form of activism that speaks volumes— “this is me, this is us!” 

Let’s keep the momentum going so that the next generation will continue seeing themselves reflected onscreen. The color of their skin and their texture and style of hair deserves recognition. 

Here are Black women television characters from various series in the last five years sporting natural hairstyles:

Our Kind of People’s Angela and Nikki Vaughn (played by Yaya DaCosta and Alana Bright from 2021-2022). 

How to Get Away With Murder’s Annalise Keating (played by Viola Davis from 2014-2020).

Black Lightning’s Lynn Pierce (played by Christine Adams from 2018-2021).

Insecure’s Issa Dee (played by Issa Rae from 2015-2021).

Insecure’s Kelli Prenny (played by Natasha Rothwell from 2015-2021).

Queen Sugar’s Nova Bordelon (played by Rutina Wesley from 2015-present).

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s Sarah Wilson (played by Adepero Oduye, 2021).

Wandavision’s Monica Rambeau/Geraldine (played by Teyonah Parris, 2021).

Cherish the Day’s Gently James (played by Xosha Roquemore, 2020).

I May Destroy You’s Arabella (played by Michaela Coel, 2020). 

A Black Lady Sketch Show various characters (played by Ashley Nicole Black from 2019-present)

All Rise’s Lola Carmichael (played by Simone Missick from 2019-present).

Random Acts of Flyness’s Najja (played by Dominique Fishback, 2018).

Star Trek:Discovery’s Commander Michael Burnham (played by Sonequa Martin-Green from 2017-present). 

Van Helsing’s Doc (played by Rukiya Bernard from 2016-2021, also presently recurring on Yellowjackets).

Blood and Water’s Thandeka Khumalo (played by Gail Mabalane from 2020-present).

Blood and Water’s Zama Bolton (played by Cindy Mahlangu from 2020-present).

Blood and Water’s Wendy Dlamini (played by Natasha Thahane from 2020-present).

Greenleaf’s Kerissa Greenleaf (played by Kim Hawthorne from 2016-2020).

Greenleaf’s Zora Greenleaf (played by Lovie Simone from 2016-2020).

Run the World’s Ella (played by Andrea Bordeaux 2021-present, image is from her guest starring on NCIS, 2013).

P Valley’s Mercedes (played by Brandee Evan’s from 2020-present). 

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’s Farah Black (played by Jade Eshete from 2016-2017).

Harlem’s Tye (played by Jerrie Johnson from 2021-present).

Harlem’s Dr. Elise Pruitt (played by Whoopi Goldberg from 2021-present).

Harlem’s Angie (played by Shoniqua Shandai from 2021-present).