📺Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television (2025) | A Groundbreaking HBO Max Documentary

“I said, I want to take over the world through television. And everybody thought I was crazy.”

With that bold declaration, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television sets the tone for its powerful two-part documentary journey. Directed by Giselle Bailey and Phil Bertelsen, and executive produced by Issa Rae, this miniseries shines a spotlight on the evolution of Black representation on TV—from its earliest portrayals to the trailblazing creators, writers, and performers who continue to shape Hollywood today.

The series premieres September 9, 2025, exclusively on HBO Max, inviting audiences to witness both the struggles and triumphs behind the screens that changed culture forever.

🎬 The Story Behind Seen & Heard

At its heart, Seen & Heard is not just a history lesson—it’s a cultural reckoning. It explores the challenges faced by Black artists who had to carve their way into a system built against them, while also celebrating the voices who transformed television into a platform of visibility, pride, and power.

From the comedy of Good Times to the groundbreaking family portrayals of The Cosby Show, from the influence of Oprah Winfrey to the empire-building of Tyler Perry, this documentary paints a sweeping portrait of how Black television has both reflected and reshaped American culture.

As Issa Rae emphasizes, this is about more than entertainment: it’s about identity, empowerment, and storytelling on one of the world’s most influential stages.

⭐ Featured Voices

The documentary features a remarkable lineup of creators and icons who have defined eras of television:

• Issa Rae (Insecure)

• Oprah Winfrey

• Tyler Perry

• Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton)

• Ava DuVernay (When They See Us)

• Lena Waithe (The Chi)

• Cord Jefferson (Watchmen)

• Tracee Ellis Ross (Black-ish)

• Swizz Beatz

• Norman Lear (All in the Family)

Together, their stories connect generations of artists who fought to be seen and heard in an industry that often tried to silence them.

🎥 Behind the Camera

• Directed by: Giselle Bailey & Phil Bertelsen (Who Killed Malcolm X?)

• Executive Producers: Issa Rae, Montrel McKay, John Maggio, Rachel Dretzin, John Ealer, Jonathan Berry, Dave Becky, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller

• Produced by: HBO Documentary Films, Ark Media, Hoorae Media

The collaboration between HBO Documentary Films and Issa Rae’s Hoorae Media ensures that this series is both deeply researched and emotionally resonant.

📅 Release Details

• World Premiere: March 8, 2025 – South by Southwest Film & TV Festival

• Screening: June 13, 2025 – American Black Film Festival

• Streaming Premiere: September 9, 2025 – Exclusively on HBO Max

🌟 Why It Matters

Seen & Heard arrives at a time when conversations around diversity and representation are more crucial than ever. It doesn’t

Just highlight the past—it reframes how we view the present and challenges the future of television to do better.

By spotlighting the artists who broke barriers and paved the way for today’s creators, the documentary reminds us that representation isn’t just about visibility—it’s about power, culture, and legacy.

✨ Conclusion

With its mix of personal stories, cultural history, and industry insight, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television (2025) is a must-watch documentary event. It captures the voices of legends and visionaries who dared to imagine themselves on the screen—and in doing so, transformed television forever.

Stream it on HBO Max starting September 9, 2025—and witness the stories of those who made sure Black voices would always be seen and heard.