Damon Wayans, Aaron Pierre, Denzel Washington Lead Fall TV Shows and Films

While this year has already brought us memorable and meme-worthy shows with standout performances from Black men, such as Diarra in Detroit, Genius: MLK/X, The Vince Staples Show, and Them: The Scare, Black men are ready to continue shining and delivering standout performances as the fall season draws near. As the temperature drops in the coming months, we can look forward to new shows from comedic talents Damon Wayans and David Alan Grier to assist us with date nights at home. Additionally, Kevin Hart will grace our screens in a departure from his usual comedy, leading a crime drama mini-series.

Here is a list of what to anticipate from promising Black male talents in the upcoming fall months.

The Deliverance

Lee Daniels is paying homage to supernatural horror classics like The Exorcist with his latest film, The Deliverance. The Netflix film's leading cast includes Oscar-nominated actresses Andra Day, Glenn Close, and Aunjanue Ellis, along with Oscar-winning actress Mo'nique. Caleb McLaughlin and Omar Epps also star in the film, which follows Day's character, Ebony, as she deals with her children (one of whom is played by McLaughlin) being possessed by evil supernatural spirits. Daniels, who previously helped Day and Mo'nique deliver Oscar-worthy performances in other projects, aims to bring out the best in both actresses again with The Deliverance. The film was released in select theaters on August 16, but will stream on Netflix starting August 30.

Rebel Ridge

Aaron Pierre is quickly becoming the actor to watch. Earlier this year, he starred as civil rights leader Malcolm X in National Geographic’s Genius: MLK/X miniseries. Up next, Pierre takes the lead in Netflix’s action thriller Rebel Ridge. In this film, he plays Terry, a man who arrives in the town of Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin. However, when the town’s corrupt police force steals the bail money, Terry is forced to use any means necessary to retrieve it. This film offers Pierre a prime opportunity to showcase his leading man potential. Rebel Ridge will be available for streaming on Netflix starting September 6.

Poppa’s House

Damon Wayans is set to make a notable return to television with the new CBS comedy series, Poppa’s House. In this series, Wayans stars as Poppa, a happily divorced, legendary radio talk show host who faces new challenges when paired with a female co-host. The plot also delves into his personal life as he navigates parenting his adult son, a dreamer striving to balance his passions with his responsibilities as a husband and father. Interestingly, Wayans’ real-life son, Damon Wayans Jr., will portray his son on the show. This casting offers a unique opportunity to explore the dynamic between two generations of Wayans and to see how their real-life father-son relationship translates on screen—a dynamic that has only been glimpsed in previous series. The series is scheduled to premiere on Monday, October 21.

Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist

Kevin Hart takes the lead in Peacock’s TV mini-series adaptation of the iHeart true crime podcast, Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist. The series dramatizes a gripping true story from the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight in Atlanta. On the same night, a daring armed robbery took place, marking a pivotal moment that helped transform Atlanta into a “Black Mecca.” Hart portrays Chicken Man, who hosts a lavish afterparty for the fight, attended by some of the nation’s wealthiest individuals. However, the night takes a dramatic turn when the biggest heist in Atlanta’s history unfolds, and Chicken Man becomes the prime suspect as the mastermind behind it. Adding to the tension, Chicken Man faces off against his old adversary, Detective J.D. Hudson, played by Don Cheadle, who is relentless in his pursuit of justice. The series is further enriched by an all-star cast including Terrence Howard and Samuel L. Jackson in supporting roles, making this lesser-known story all the more captivating. Fight Night is set to premiere on Thursday, September 5 on Peacock.

How to Die Alone

Joko Sims, KeiLyn Durrel Jones and Bashir Salahuddin are set to play pivotal roles in Hulu’s upcoming comedy series, How to Die Alone. The show stars Insecure’s Natasha Rothwell as Melissa, an airport employee whose life takes a transformative turn after she survives a near-death experience. Sims will portray Alex, Melissa’s ex, adding layers of past complexities to her journey. Jones steps into the role of Terrence, Mel’s coworker, providing insights from the workplace. Salahuddin rounds out the cast as Melissa’s older brother Brian, likely offering a familial perspective to her quest for purpose. This ensemble of characters supports Melissa as she navigates her changed outlook on life. How to Die Alone is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on September 13.

St. Denis Medical

The upcoming NBC mockumentary series St. Denise Medical takes a comedic look at the often intense world of hospital work, celebrating the efforts of doctors and nurses. David Alan Grier, a veteran actor with over forty years of experience in film, television, and theater, stars as one of the leading doctors. Known for his versatility as a Black actor, Grier is set to showcase a new dimension of his acting range in this series. St. Denise Medical promises to offer a humorous yet insightful peek into the daily challenges faced by medical professionals. The series is scheduled to premiere on November 12th.

Gladiator 2

After nearly 25 years, the eagerly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning Gladiator is set to hit theaters, featuring two-time Oscar winner Denzel Washington in a monumental role. Washington plays a power broker and former slave who seeks control over Rome while maintaining a stable of his own gladiators. He also mentors the leading gladiator, Lucious. In recent interviews, Washington has described the film as the biggest project he has undertaken in recent years. Ridley Scott, the director, hints that Washington’s character may emerge as an unexpected villain, a type of role Washington hasn't embraced since his Oscar-winning performance in Training Day. Gladiator 2 is scheduled for release in movie theaters on November 22.

Trivial Pursuit 

LeVar Burton, renowned for his role as host of Reading Rainbow which encouraged a generation to love reading, is set to return to television with Trivial Pursuit. This new game show, based on the popular board game, will feature contestants competing on a giant version of the iconic game board. Participants will answer questions across various categories, earning wedges as they race each other to the center of the board. The ultimate winner will face a timed challenge in the finale for a chance to win a substantial cash prize. Trivial Pursuit is scheduled to premiere on The CW on Monday, October 7.

Mufasa: The Lion King

Disney is set to explore Mufasa's backstory in the upcoming prequel to the 2019 live-action The Lion King. Titled Mufasa: The Lion King, the film will see Donald Glover returning to voice adult Simba. Newcomers Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. will lend their voices to the young versions of Mufasa and Scar, respectively. Slated for release on December 20, the film promises to add new layers to the beloved Lion King saga, with fans eagerly anticipating the contributions of Pierre and Harrison to this iconic story.