‘Diarra From Detroit,’ The Urban Cinderella Mystery That We Never Knew We Needed

 

Diarra From Detroit ad promotion. 

With the news of many Black and brown led series being cancelled left and right this past year, BET provides much needed relief by officially renewing Diarra Kilpatrick’s fantastic namesake Diarra From Detroit for a second season! The talented creator behind the Emmy nominated web series American Koko brings a unique modern-day spin on Cinderella. Instead of the poor servant girl losing her glass slipper, a young divorcee experiences a wondrous, soul-searing date with a beautiful man, only to later find the missing man’s Jordan. 

Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) holds the first clue number one on her personal case— her potential boo’s shoe. DP: Matt Edwards.

The top notch cast is led by writer/showrunner Kilpatrick as Diarra— a too-caring schoolteacher starting over post divorce, Bryan Terrell Clark as the cool-cucumber teacher Mr. Tea, DomiNique Perry (an Insecure favorite) as Aja, the born again virtuous woman putting her salon business above unholy distractions, Claudia Logan as Moni, the feisty school bus driver, married to auto shop owner— Roman who has dangerous secrets of his own (played by Bechir Sylvain). Other characters include Shannon Wallace as the mysterious Chris, Jon Chaffin as Danger, a cooking criminal in therapy, Morris Chestnut as the sexy lawyer ex-husband Swa, and Phylicia Rashad as the almost unrecognizable potty mouthed, heroine Vonda (took a while to realize it was her— possibly Chris’s mother). 

Diarra braids a student’s hair between periods and apparently teaches Black Women’s History— the sweet necessary representation. DP: Matt Edwards.

Diarra speaks on being unable to afford therapy. It’s already bad enough that certain Black women can’t cry into the shower whilst being afraid to get their hair wet. DP: Matt Edwards.

Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) will eventually receive intriguing details on Chris (Shannon Wallace), including how he might feel about her— a woman he just met. DP: Matt Edwards. 

In a coldest winter ever tale that would make Sistah Soujah quake in her poetic boots, the frigid Detroit, Michigan presents the perfect backdrop for eight episodes of nonstop mayhem, romance, and adventure. Fashionable, slick Diarra From Detroit explores a delicious cross between Abbott Elementary and the short-lived Women’s Murder Club with an extra blackness oomph. Frantic twist and turns balance between hitting the heartstrings hard, enticing us with a unique love story worth fighting for, and keeping the audience on their toes. The sharp, edgy writing takes us on up and down roller coasters, Diarra bringing her sometimes unwilling friends along on wildly intense thrill rides that might kill them. Our Cinderella man wasn’t scrubbing floors and talking to mice. He was building a collective trail that Diarra follows, her actions mirroring the desperate Prince Charming searching for the right feet that fit.  

Diarra combines her teacher smarts with clever sleuthing until she figures it out. 

Of course, she always needs backup.

Dana Scully skeptic Aja (DomiNique Perry) (also Swa’s cousin) stands by Diarra’s seemingly deluded side as any compassionate friend would. Aja’s a real solid pal. DP: Matt Edwards.

Moni (Claudia Logan) helps Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) for the reward money— as the large sum could get her husband out of a pricy gang affiliation. At the same time, Moni likes reconnecting with her old friend and vice versa. Diarra tells Moni deeper concerns she can’t express with Mr. Tea and Aja. DP: Matt Edwards. 

Although they first remet as Danger (Jon Chaffin) was robbing Diarra’s mother’s house, Danger became a real reliable shoulder to lean on— fresh silver dollar pancakes and all. DP: Matt Edwards. 

Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) deserved “peace before the storms” with Aja (DomiNique Perry), Mr. Tea (Bryan Terrell Clark), and Moni (Claudia Logan). DP: Matt Edwards.

Camaraderie is the strongest component to the series, a steady well-crafted foundation. The characters’ relationships with Diarra and each other are believably portrayed. Sarcastic, unapologetic Mr. Tea often tries to steer Diarra off the crazy ledge yet his genuine affection for Aja shows a sibling protective vibe. Moni, the ex school chum who taught Diarra how to cuss, courageously steps up to sidekick, ready for every messy situation. Moni may also harbor small jealousy towards Aja—  the privileged business owner who only wants to ensure that Diarra’s mental health (and financial stability) are in order. Eventually, Aja and Moni might become closer as evidenced in the foursome’s sweet pool game, a kinship reminiscent of how in Girlfriends Toni Childs and Maya Wilkes warmed up from their earlier frostiness. And Danger— let’s just say he delivers things to Diarra that the others cannot (more on that later). 

Outside of her challenging, low paying job, Diarra’s friendships with Mr. Tea, Moni, Aja, and Danger grant her the chance to be vulnerable and open. Their nonjudgmental ears listen to her investigate whether she’s enduring temporary insanity over Chris or using this “rookie detective” activity as a means of escaping the required emotional steps to recover from a breakup. Mr. Tea, Moni, Aja, and Danger are always willing to come with her, to let her not experience uncertainties alone. 

Yet, Diarra begins witnessing menacing violence all around her and internalizes her anguish. 

Diarra (Diarra Kilpatrick) and Swa (Morris Chestnut) during the good times. DP: Matt Edwards.

Diarra risked so much to be with Chris (Shannon Wallace)… DP: Matt Edwards.

Yet Danger put his allegiance in the line for Diarra even whilst knowing her heart’s opposing direction. DP: Matt Edwards.

Diarra may have a healing friend circle, the men orbiting her planet provide the heat. To a woman who considers her dimples as marital assets, the handsome men flock: Swa, the rich, successful ex husband, Danger, the traumatized gang member in virtual therapy, and Chris, the mysterious soon-to-be boo. Diarra happens to have spellbinding charisma with all three. The fire still sizzles between Diarra and Swa, angered exes flirting up a storm. Steady sparks shoot as Diarra lets Danger in and out— massaging her body in the night or filling her belly up with homemade pancakes or chili made from scratch. With Chris, whom Diarra affectionately nicknames Ambien, she feels a spiritual and physical connection, often fantasizing intimate conversations. Each man has secrets that could make or break her, secrets that could jeopardize her whole world. 

Diarra and Aja posing with the man that Aja won’t keep. They’ll likely delete this photograph. DP: Matt Edwards.

Now Diarra Kilpatrick, a Gracie winner and Independent Spirit Award nominee for this new series, continues creating phenomenal work behind-the-scenes and lighting up the screen— writing, producing, and acting her buns off. She’s a dynamic force right alongside the Michaela Coels, the Issa Raes, the Quinta Brunsons of the world— planting and watering fruitful television and streaming seeds for Black womanhood domination. There should always be room for more creativity, especially compelling portraits that explore our diverse facets, the ways we grow and mature, the ways we love and yearn— no one ever paints the same exact picture. 

In the first season’s last episode, The House on Blaine, Diarra’s cryptic voiceover implies that her and her friends won’t make it. Writers, please protect everybody at all costs. DP: Matt Edwards.

As for the exciting return of Diarra From Detroit, we have a few questions. Will there be a happily (or messily) ever after despite the wild outcome? Is the Cinderella Chris truly bound to be Diarra’s Prince Charming— what of his mother and his past? Will Mr. Tea stay with the fine emcee who can cook among other good things? Danger won’t be the sole man needing therapy— how will Roman cope with self-defense murder? He can’t hide that from Moni (hopefully). Morris Chestnut is not the only brother aging gracefully either— what will Harry Lennix bring to Aja’s plate now that she’s made the exclusive list? Can BET put the series on DVD and blu ray for future binge-watch parties with our friends and family sans relying on buffering WiFi? 

Until the second season airs, there’s always the joys of hitting the restart: laughing, crying, screaming, and gasping at the entertaining tactics of brave Diarra and her braver posse (and enemies) again.