X
  • Netflix
  • Apr 28, 2017
  • Netflix
  • Apr 28, 2017
Dear White People (2017)

Summary Samantha White's (Logan Browning) "Dear White People" radio show causes controversy at the fictional predominately white Winchester University, while the son of the dean of students Troy Fairbanks (Brandon P. Bell) seeks to be the first black student president in this comedy series based on Justin Simien's film of the same name.

Created By: Justin Simien

  • Netflix
  • Apr 28, 2017
  • Netflix
  • Apr 28, 2017
Dear White People (2017)
Season 1
Season Premiere: Apr 28, 2017
Metascore Universal Acclaim Based on 21 Critic Reviews
must-watch
84
User Score Generally Unfavorable Based on 7 User Ratings
2.1
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Samantha White's (Logan Browning) "Dear White People" radio show causes controversy at the fictional predominately white Winchester University, while the son of the dean of students Troy Fairbanks (Brandon P. Bell) seeks to be the first black student president in this comedy series based on Justin Simien's film of the same name.

Created By: Justin Simien

Where to Watch

Season Episodes

View All Seasons
Episode 1 • Apr 28, 2017 • 33 m
Chapter I
As college radio host Samantha White leads the outcry over a blackface party by a campus fraternity, a revelation about her love life puts her in an awkward spot.
Episode 2 • Apr 28, 2017 • 29 m
Chapter II
Buoyed by his front-page story on the blackface party, shy reporter Lionel begins to come out of his shell and embrace his true identity.
Episode 3 • Apr 28, 2017 • 22 m
Chapter III
Golden boy Troy schmoozes his way around campus at his father's behest, campaigning for student body president. But his smile hides nagging doubts.
Episode 4 • Apr 28, 2017 • 27 m
Chapter IV
As Coco gears up for an exclusive soiree, a fight with Sam stirs up memories of their friendship; and the differences that drove them apart.
Episode 5 • Apr 28, 2017 • 17 m
Chapter V
Friends drag Reggie out on the town to stop him from brooding over the revolution and Sam's new beau. But the night takes a harrowing turn.
Episode 6 • Apr 28, 2017 • 26 m
Chapter VI
Shell-shocked, Sam and company plan a protest against the campus police, while Reggie finds his own way to process the ordeal.
Episode 7 • Apr 28, 2017 • 22 m
Chapter VII
Picking up on the chemistry between Sam and Reggie, Gabe obsesses over the state of his relationship; and makes a startling confession to Joelle.
Episode 8 • Apr 28, 2017 • 25 m
Chapter VIII
To show just how pervasive Winchester's race problems are, Lionel sets out to write a feature on Troy and makes some unexpected discoveries.
Episode 9 • Apr 28, 2017 • 20 m
Chapter IX
Coco jumps at the chance to join Troy at a party for wealthy donors, but the evening leaves her questioning his priorities.
Episode 10 • Apr 28, 2017 • 29 m
Chapter X
With tensions running high before the town hall, Sam tries to patch up her relationship, Coco steals Troy's thunder, and Lionel makes a bold move.

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 21 Critic Reviews
84
90% Positive
19 Reviews
10% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Universal Acclaim Based on 21 Critic Reviews
84
90% Positive
19 Reviews
10% Mixed
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Sep 22, 2021
Identity is a prominent theme in the story of college kids struggling to discover who they are and what they stand for, and the series’ first two episodes feel deeply unifying. The premiere episode is a streamlined effort with an impressively strong voice; the next half-hour is equally affecting and vocal, an ideal split between entertaining and illuminating.
By Ben Travers FULL REVIEW
100
Sep 22, 2021
The series maintains a perfect balance between joy and trauma that exemplifies the duality of the black experience; its writing is sharp and contemporary. Even the moments of parody feel relatable as opposed to over-the-top.
By Ashley Ray-Harris FULL REVIEW
90
Sep 22, 2021
Dear White People balances satirical irony and deep-seated rage to tell its richly entertaining, wildly funny yet deadly serious character-driven story of identity politics. [1-14 May 2017, p.19]
By Matt Roush FULL REVIEW
80
Sep 22, 2021
Overall, the storytelling in Dear White People is solid, despite the mildly jarring feel of its two halves. There’s a palpable sense of purpose that unites all 10 episodes and an artistic style that consistently elevates it.
By Robert Yaniz Jr. FULL REVIEW
80
Sep 22, 2021
It’s arch, playful and pop literate. ... The rapid-fire jokes don’t all land, the supporting characters can be cartoonish and the satire didactic. The show’s strength is its confident, consistent voice.
By James Poniewozik FULL REVIEW
80
Sep 22, 2021
Dear White People works perfectly as a half-hour series, providing a sharp look at African-American students at a predominantly white Ivy League university while creating an assortment of appealing, well-defined personalities. Making the jump from 2014 movie to TV show, the Netflix show passes the test of juggling relevance and entertainment with flying colors.
By Brian Lowry FULL REVIEW
58
Sep 22, 2021
It just feels like Simien was eager to expand the universe of his original film, and ended up overextending himself. The result feels more like a series of self-contained short films than a TV show. That puts the burden on the cast of mostly newcomers to command our attention in their solo showcases, and unfortunately, they largely come up short.
By Dave Nemetz FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Unfavorable Based on 7 User Ratings
2.1
14% Positive
1 Rating
14% Mixed
1 Rating
71% Negative
5 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Unfavorable Based on 7 User Ratings
2.1
14% Positive
1 Rating
14% Mixed
1 Rating
71% Negative
5 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

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