19 TV Shows Where Black Women Get to Be Morally Grey Instead of Perfect

Television has slowly moved away from the trope of the flawless Black woman who exists solely to support others or uphold impossible standards of virtue. Audiences now enjoy complex narratives where these characters are allowed to be ambitious and messy or even villainous. These protagonists and antagonists make questionable choices that prioritize their own survival or desires over the collective good. Viewers find themselves rooting for these women despite their flaws and the chaotic situations they often create. The following series feature Black women who operate in the fascinating grey areas of morality.

‘Scandal’ (2012–2018)

Olivia Pope is a Washington crisis manager who dedicates her life to fixing the reputations of the political elite. She engages in election rigging and covers up crimes to protect those in power while maintaining an affair with the President. Her desire for control often leads her to cross ethical lines that compromise her integrity and safety. Olivia proves that being a gladiator in a suit requires getting blood on your hands.

‘How to Get Away with Murder’ (2014–2020)

Annalise Keating dominates the screen as a brilliant law professor and defense attorney who manipulates the legal system to win her cases. She becomes entangled in a series of murder plots alongside her students and goes to extreme lengths to protect them from prosecution. Her traumatic past drives her alcoholism and her ruthless behavior in the courtroom. Annalise constantly oscillates between being a vulnerable victim and a terrifying mastermind.

‘Empire’ (2015–2020)

Cookie Lyon returns from a seventeen-year prison sentence to reclaim her half of a massive music dynasty. She uses her street smarts and intimidation tactics to manage her family and outmaneuver her enemies in the boardroom. Her love for her sons often conflicts with her need to secure her legacy at any cost. Cookie remains one of the most unapologetic characters to ever grace the screen.

‘Power’ (2014–2020)

Tasha St. Patrick starts as the supportive wife of a drug kingpin but eventually reveals her own deep involvement in their criminal enterprise. She launders money and makes calculated decisions to keep her family out of prison while encouraging her husband to stay in the game. Her evolution involves betraying loved ones and pulling triggers when necessary to ensure her own survival. Tasha demonstrates that the queen pin is often just as dangerous as the king.

‘Snowfall’ (2017–2023)

Louie Saint begins as a stabilizing force for her nephew Franklin but grows into a formidable drug lord with her own ambitions. She bypasses the chain of command and deals directly with suppliers to secure her position of power within the crack cocaine trade. Her greed and desire for independence eventually cause a rift that destroys the family dynamic she helped build. Louie illustrates the corrupting nature of power and the steep price of ambition.

‘Claws’ (2017–2022)

Desna Simms owns a nail salon that serves as a front for laundering money for the local mafia in Florida. She dreams of a better life for her autistic brother and her crew of manicurists but keeps getting pulled deeper into organized crime. Her loyalty to her friends often leads her to commit violent acts and navigate dangerous alliances. Desna balances her nurturing nature with a steely resolve to survive the criminal underworld.

‘Watchmen’ (2019)

Angela Abar works as a masked police detective in a reality where vigilantes are outlawed and racial tensions are high. She beats suspects and conducts illegal investigations to uncover a white supremacist conspiracy threatening her community. Her actions blur the line between law enforcement and vigilantism as she seeks justice on her own terms. Angela fights her grandfather’s battles while grappling with the inherited trauma of her family history.

‘Yellowjackets’ (2021– )

Taissa Turner is a high-achieving politician who harbors dark secrets from her time stranded in the wilderness as a teenager. She resorts to ruthless tactics to win her election while her personal life crumbles under the weight of her suppressed memories. Her sleepwalking episodes reveal a violent subconscious that threatens the safety of her wife and son. Taissa exemplifies how unresolved trauma can manifest as monstrous ambition.

‘Industry’ (2020– )

Harper Stern is an American graduate working in London who lies about her university transcript to secure a spot at a prestigious investment bank. She manipulates colleagues and sabotages friendships to climb the corporate ladder in the cutthroat world of finance. Her decisions are driven by a desperate need to prove her worth and hide her background from her superiors. Harper represents the ruthless pragmatism required to succeed in a hyper-capitalist environment.

‘Swarm’ (2023)

Dre is an obsessive fan whose love for a pop star drives her to commit a string of brutal murders across the country. She lacks empathy for her victims and operates with a singular focus on defending her idol’s honor. Her journey is a dark exploration of parasocial relationships and unchecked mental instability. Dre is a terrifying protagonist who forces the audience to witness the world through the eyes of a killer.

‘Good Girls’ (2018–2021)

Ruby Hill turns to robbing grocery stores and laundering money to pay for expensive medical treatments for her daughter. She struggles to reconcile her religious faith and love for her police officer husband with her growing criminal activities. Her desperation transforms into a talent for crime as she justifies her actions through the lens of maternal duty. Ruby shows how systemic failure can push a good person toward bad choices.

‘Marvel’s Luke Cage’ (2016–2018)

Mariah Dillard enters the story as a Harlem councilwoman who wants to keep her hands clean despite her family’s criminal history. She eventually embraces her heritage and becomes a ruthless crime boss who murders anyone standing in her way. Her transformation from a community leader to a villain is marked by tragedy and a lust for power. Mariah proves to be one of the most complex antagonists in the superhero genre.

‘Underground’ (2016–2017)

Ernestine is the head house slave who uses her position to manipulate the plantation owners and ensure the safety of her children. She uses poison and seduction as weapons in a world where she has no legal agency or freedom. Her choices are often morally ambiguous and cause harm to others but are born out of a desperate need to survive slavery. Ernestine represents the harrowing sacrifices required to navigate an oppressive system.

‘The Umbrella Academy’ (2019–2024)

Allison Hargreeves possesses the power to manipulate reality by speaking rumors into existence and often abuses this gift for personal gain. She uses her abilities to advance her acting career and force people to act against their own will. Her grief and desperation in later seasons lead her to betray her siblings and make a deal with their father that rewrites the universe. Allison highlights the seductive danger of having absolute control over others.

‘Greenleaf’ (2016–2020)

Lady Mae Greenleaf is the matriarch of a powerful Memphis megachurch who values the appearance of perfection over the truth. She hides the sins of her family members and engages in emotional manipulation to maintain her status as the First Lady of the church. Her cold demeanor and sharp tongue serve as armor against the scandals threatening her empire. Lady Mae is a master of using scripture to justify her Machiavellian maneuvers.

‘Reasonable Doubt’ (2022– )

Jax Stewart is a high-powered defense attorney who bends the law to get her clients off while navigating a messy separation from her husband. She engages in questionable ethics and maintains dangerous relationships that blur professional boundaries. Her confident exterior hides a chaotic personal life filled with bad decisions and unresolved trauma. Jax thrives in the grey area where justice and manipulation intersect.

‘P-Valley’ (2020– )

Autumn Night arrives at the Pynk strip club with a stolen identity and a bag full of cash she took from a disastrous past relationship. She manipulates those around her and lies constantly to protect her secrets while trying to rebuild her life. Her survival instincts lead her to make selfish choices that put the club and its workers at risk. Autumn is a survivor who does whatever is necessary to keep moving forward.

‘Top Boy’ (2011–2023)

Jaq operates as a high-ranking enforcer and dealer for a drug gang in East London. She carries out violent orders and intimidates rivals while simultaneously trying to protect her sister and girlfriend from the consequences of her lifestyle. Her loyalty to the streets constantly wars with her desire to be a good partner and sibling. Jaq navigates a brutal world where kindness is often viewed as a fatal weakness.

‘I May Destroy You’ (2020)

Arabella is a writer attempting to rebuild her life after a sexual assault while dealing with writer’s block and substance abuse. She can be self-absorbed and inconsiderate toward her friends as she processes her trauma in real time. Her journey involves making messy mistakes and hurting people who care about her while she seeks closure. Arabella presents a raw and honest depiction of a victim who is far from a perfect survivor.

Tell us which of these complex characters is your favorite in the comments.