“Unprisoned” actor Delroy Lindo and showrunner Yvette Lee Bowser have found that opportunities for Black creatives have grown since their early years in the television and film business, saying their new Hulu series is a “current corrective” in tackling systemic issues. functions as ,
“We’re making full progress,” Bowser — who has produced hit shows including “Living Single,” “A Different World” and “Dear White People” — told a panel for Hulu and Onyx Collective’s new dramedy said during the discussion. 2023 Water TCA Press Tour.
The scripted series, which stars Lindo, Kerry Washington, Markey Richardson, Fali Rakotohwana and Jordan McIntosh, is created by Tracy McMillan and inspired by her life. The half-hour comedy follows the life of a messy but perfectionist relationship therapist and single mom whose life takes a turn in the right direction when her father gets out of prison and moves in with her and her teenage son.
Discussing how the show will serve as a “current corrective” in tackling systemic issues such as the impact of the prison system, the cast talked about how the landscape and opportunities for Black creatives to tell their stories authentically And to tell from their point of view. changed over the years.
“Things are different,” Lindo said. “The fact of hearing this intelligence and talent of my colleagues here, that that talent, that intelligence, that commitment, that vision can be brought together in one television show, is a sign of a difference, a important The difference, from the point of view of the work that one is offered.
In fact, Bowser remembers a time not too long ago when opportunities for black writers were extremely limited or nonexistent for that matter.
“I think there was a time when we black writers and storytellers were almost fighting for the opportunity to tell a story, and now we find ourselves in a time where we can go deeper — much, much deeper. said Bowser. “I’ve been in this business for 35 years, and it’s really starting to change, and it’s incredibly cathartic and it’s incredibly rewarding to have really stood the test of time and come up with something so fresh.” is here to help shepherd the story because there are so many different family stories to tell.”
Bower acknowledged the existence of Onyx Collective and how it provides Black talent a platform in which to support Black stories.
“Onyx exists as a platform to tell our stories and spread them globally, as opposed to the 80s and 90s when, quite frankly, our shows were used to build other platforms who then disregarded us for other audiences. Onyx is here to stay and by us to tell these kinds of stories for us,” Bowser said.
Hulu/Onyx Collective Original Series “Unprisoned” premieres March 10.