Dear White People (TV series)

Dear White People is an American comedy-drama television series on Netflix that follows several black college students at an Ivy League institution (the fictional Winchester University), touching on issues surrounding modern American race relations from a politically progressive perspective. It is based on and a continuation of the 2014 film of the same name. The film's writer and director, Justin Simien, returned to write and direct episodes of the series. This series stars Logan Browning, Brandon P. Bell, DeRon Horton, and Antoinette Robertson. With a few exceptions, generally season finales, each episode focuses on one particular character. The series premiered on April 28, 2017. On October 2, 2019, the series was renewed for its fourth and final season, which was released on September 22, 2021.

Main characters

 * Logan Browning as Samantha "Sam" White, a college student trying to wake people up to the social issues still at play at Winchester. Browning replaces Tessa Thompson, who portrayed the character in the film.
 * Brandon P. Bell as Troy Fairbanks; Bell reprises his role from the film.
 * DeRon Horton as Lionel Higgins, a highly intelligent school reporter with some emotional issues. Horton replaces Tyler James Williams, who portrayed the character in the film.
 * Antoinette Robertson as Colandrea "Coco" Conners, an ambitious black woman who antagonizes Samantha. Robertson replaces Teyonah Parris, who portrayed the character in the film.
 * John Patrick Amedori as Gabe Mitchell, Samantha's main love interest. Amedori replaces Justin Dobies, who portrayed the character in the film.
 * Ashley Blaine Featherson as Joelle Brooks; Featherson reprises her role from the film (the character is credited as "Curls" in the film).
 * Marque Richardson as Reggie Green; Richardson reprises his role from the film (seasons 2–4; recurring season 1).
 * Jemar Michael as Al Lucas; Michael reprises his role from the film (the character is credited as "Smoothe" in the film) (season 4; recurring seasons 1–3).
 * Courtney Sauls as Brooke Morgan; Sauls reprises her role from the film (the character is credited as "Wild" in the film) (season 4; recurring seasons 1–3).

Recurring characters

 * Giancarlo Esposito as Dr. Edward Ruskins / The Narrator, a former professor at Winchester who serves as the narrator for the first three seasons (seasons 1–3)
 * DJ Blickenstaff as Silvio, Lionel's love interest (seasons 1–3)
 * Caitlin Carver as Muffy Tuttle
 * Ally Maki as Ikumi (seasons 1, 3)
 * Obba Babatundé as Dean Fairbanks; Babatundé replaces Dennis Haysbert, who portrayed the character in the film.
 * Brandon Black as Pastor Kordell
 * Wyatt Nash as Kurt Fletcher (seasons 1–3); Nash replaces Kyle Gallner, who portrayed the character in the film.
 * Erich Lane as Clifton
 * Sheridan Pierce as Abigail
 * Nicholas Anthony Reid as James
 * John Rubinstein as President Fletcher, Kurt's father (seasons 1, 4). Rubinstein replaces Peter Syvertsen, who portrayed the character in the film.
 * Nia Long as Professor Neika Hobbs (season 1); a bisexual college professor who is cheating on her lesbian fiancée with Troy.
 * Nia Jervier as Kelsey Phillips; Jervier reprises her role from the film (the character is credited as "Coco's Friend" in the film) (seasons 1–3)
 * Jeremy Tardy as Rashid Mburu (seasons 1–3)
 * Francia Raisa as Vanessa (season 1)
 * Dahéli Hall as Dereca
 * Alex Alcheh as Milo (seasons 1, 3)
 * Lena Waithe as P. Ninny; Waithe was a producer for the film (season 2)
 * Blair Underwood as Moses Brown (season 3)
 * Quei Tann as Genifer (seasons 3–4)
 * Wade F. Wilson as Michael (seasons 3–4)
 * Joi Liaye as Iesha Vital (season 4)
 * Judith Scott as Helen Freeman (season 4)
 * Rome Flynn as David (season 4)
 * Wendie Malick as Geraldine Bernadette (season 4)

Guest characters

 * Brant Daugherty as Thane Lockwood
 * Tessa Thompson as Rikki Carter. (Thompson originally played Samantha White in the film.)
 * Tyler James Williams as Carson Rhodes. (Williams originally played Lionel Higgins in the film.)
 * Brandon Alter as George; Alter reprises his role from the film.
 * Wendy Raquel Robinson as Tina White

Production
Netflix initially ordered ten 30-minute episodes from Simien and Lionsgate, which distributed the film. TV writer Yvette Lee Bowser, creator of Living Single, joined the series as showrunner and executive producer. The first season was released on April 28, 2017. On June 30, 2017, Netflix renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on May 4, 2018. On June 21, 2018, the series was renewed for a third season, which was released on August 2, 2019. On October 2, 2019, the series was renewed for a fourth and final season. Simien promoted longtime series writer Jaclyn Moore to co-showrunner for this concluding chapter, which features a significant musical element. The final season was released on September 22, 2021.

Reception
The initial trailer for the TV show attracted some angry responses, with the series being accused by some Twitter users of being racist towards white people; they called for a boycott of Netflix. The YouTube trailer for the series received more dislikes than likes. Series creator Justin Simien responded positively to the backlash, saying it reiterated the point of the series and brought more attention to it as well. Lead actress Logan Browning noted that many of the critics who gave the show rave reviews were white.

Actor Jeremy Tardy announced he would not be returning for the fourth season, citing racism allegations against Lionsgate. Specifically, Tardy and fellow actors were presented unequal pay and negotiation powers for their fourth-season roles.

Critical response
The series has been met with critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, season one has a 95% approval rating based on 55 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 8.69/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Timely, provocative, and sharply written, Dear White People is an entertaining blend of social commentary and incisive humor." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 85 out of 100, based on 21 reviews. Peter Debruge, writing for Variety, praised the show's writing, directing, social commentary, and cast. The New York Times praised the show's examination of concerns such as appropriation, assimilation, and conflict.

On Rotten Tomatoes, season two holds an approval rating of 100% based on 32 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 9.35/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Dear White People's endearing excellence returns, but with an added layer of emotional maturity that enhances the show's powerful, relevant meditations on race relations in America." On Metacritic, the second season has a score of 89 out of 100, based on 7 reviews.

The third season has a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 20 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. The website's critics consensus states, "Though at times it vamps more than it grows, Dear White People third season still excels thanks to its continued willingness to confront tough social issues with comedic grace." On Metacritic, the third season has a score of 78 out of 100, based on 8 critics.