July 21, 2002

 NOTABLE TV DRAMAS FEATURING ETHNIC & OTHER MINORITIES (to 2000)

Timeline by Tim Books

A question frequently raised is why African-Americans and other minorities have so seldom been the leads in TV dramatic series. For many years minorities were seen often headlining comedy and variety shows (Amos ‘n’ Andy, The Flip Wilson Show), but not in drama. Following is a selective list of some notable dramas—mostly series, but some specials—in which ethnic and other minorities took the lead. There are certainly more (depending on your definition of “notable”), and additions are welcome at tim@timbrooks.net.

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