And it’s not just because it’s Black History Month.
NBC’s This Is Us is one of television’s most critically acclaimed shows on the air right now. With a colorful and diverse cast, the show tackles Black life and culture in a way that feels inclusive and authentic. It may be easy to stop at Randall and Beth as THE Black representation on the show but then you’d only be doing yourself a disservice. Outside of the show’s regulars (who isn’t already obsessed with Tess, Annie, Deja, Beth’s cousin Melanie and both Randalls?!) here are the Black characters on This Is Us that we love.
Mama C, Beth’s Mom portrayed by Phylicia Rashad
It was announced at the top of this year, that the legend will be joining the show as Beth’s Mom on the show. Currently, at pub time, Ms. Rashad has yet to make her appearance but on a show that is infamous for its monologues, we know she’s going to breathe more life into Beth’s backstory. Besides, WHO ELSE is better suited to play her mom?! Exactly. There is no one.
Deja’s Grandma portrayed by Pam Grier
Speaking of legends, Pam Grier came on the show and reminded us that Black grandmas have been fixing things since the beginning of time. When Deja’s Mom becomes pregnant at sixteen, it’s her Deja’s grandmother that swoops in to help. She nurtured Deja’s love of learning and was the backbone of their family before her tragic death, which eventually causes to Deja’s Mom to go down the wrong path. It’s a small but effective cameo that gives us more of Deja’s backstory (Backstories are important in this series if you can’t tell already.)
The Pearsons’ neighbor Yvette portrayed by Ryan Michelle Bathe
Black people don’t play about our hair. And it was a swift and quick movement of the Pearson’s neighborhood Black family that gave them the message. With the lovely Ryan Michelle Bathe (who’s married to Sterling K. Brown in real life!) portraying Yvette, she always delivers timely and necessary messages to Jack and Rebecca about little Randall’s development.
William’s former neighbor Chichi portrayed by Yetide Badaki
When the extra ambitious Randall sets his sights on running for councilmen in the community his father was a part of, it’s a bit of a shock to run into someone who doesn’t instantly like him. But Chi Chi only wants to hold her local politicians accountable (sound familiar?!) and keep her children safe. It’s her resistance that forces Randall to dig in and commit, an action that ultimately leads him to a big win.
Deja’s Mom Shauna portrayed by Joy Brunson
Insecure writer and actor Natasha Rothwell once revealed to The New York Times that when it comes to our greatness, sometimes “It’s not black-girl magic all the time — sometimes you don’t know where your wand is.” This is the case with Deja’s Mom. But instead of pitying Shauna, we see her at one of her strongest moments when she makes the decision to give up her daughter (season 2, episode 17). Her story is an example of just how easy it is for Black and Brown people to fall victim to the criminal justice system and how we’re all one circumstance away from dealing with it.
Judge Ernest Bradley portrayed by Delroy Lindo
When you see Delroy Lindo on screen, you know that he’s there to make a statement. His This Is Us character, Judge Earnest Bradley appears in season two’s seventh episode, “The Most Disappointed Man” as the court official who is at first against the Pearsons adopting baby Randall. Meeting enthusiastic Jack and Rebecca, it’s Judge Bradley’s well-intended and harsh truth of the reality of what Black people, especially Black boys and men, in this country have to face and the challenges that Randall will ultimately confront. The show doesn’t shy away from the obvious but this is the moment that makes it feel real.
Young William H. Hill portrayed by Jermel Nakia
We already know that William’s journey has not been an easy one, and while it’s sometimes painful to look into his past, seeing Young William’s path keeps things in perspective for us later on down the line when Randall is searching for answers. Actor Jermel Nakia draws you in immediately with a very particular depth of sadness and regret but his presence always leaves you with hope – even in the saddest moments (see “Number Three” Season 2, episode 10). It almost makes you wonder if that faith is what led Randall back to him after all those years…
William H. “Shakespeare” Hill portrayed by Ron Cephas Jones
“How does it feel to be dying?” ushers in the exact moment that William steals the show from the rest of the cast. It happens in season one’s eighth episode “Pilgrim Rick” a Thanksgiving episode that pulls double duty as one of the story’s quietly explosive moments. Before the show’s first big bomb is dropped, it’s Kevin’s latest romantic interest asks a question that seems to shock the old man and open the door to a conversation about his mortality. The result is a crack in the Universe – one of the most moving, powerful, and impressive monologues to ever grace network television. We’ve haven’t been the same since.
An Honorable Mention: Regina King in the Director’s Chair
In honor of today being a legend’s birthday AND the return of one of our favorite shows, here’s @ReginaKing (a #blkcreatives inspiration) on directing a @NBCThisisUs episode (“The 20’s” in 2017). Happy Birthday, Regina! ❤️ #ThisIsUs pic.twitter.com/VIF9D89EDh
— #blkcreatives netwrk (@blkcreatives) January 16, 2019
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