When Netflix announced its sequel series to “A Different World“—bringing Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison back to Hillman College alongside a new generation of HBCU students—the internet was excited about the chance to see some of their favorite characters return to the screen as parents. Now, new research supports that storylines like these are exactly what Black adults want to see.
A recent AARP study proved a crucial truth about modern television: Black adults of all ages believe it is important to see actors from different generations represented together in film and television.
Nearly all Black adults between 18 and 34 say showing multigenerational actors together is important, according to AARP Research’s interviews with nearly 2,000 Black adults in June. Many of the Black adults surveyed say that representation makes TV shows and movies feel more relatable while combating age-related stereotypes.
Because viewers generally see older Black women as influential cultural figures, their representation can directly challenge stereotypes and help redefine aging expectations. Yet despite this clear demand, screenwriters are still leaving vital chapters of the Black experience that viewers actually relate to off the page.
Almost half (46%) of Black adults feel that people their age are underrepresented in certain storylines, especially when it comes to romantic relationships, friendships and family dynamics, the study showed. The adults surveyed said they want to see more characters their age overcoming adversity.
Related: Reflecting on The Cultural Impact of ‘A Different World’ 35 Years Later
The lack of this representation on the screen also has a direct impact on how society interprets growing older, as 87% of Black adults agree that how the media portrays aging influences overall perceptions. When older Black women are visible on screen, more than half of Black adults say it makes them feel significantly more positive about aging themselves, per AARP Research.
Source: The Data Is Clear: Black Audiences Want More Multigenerational Representation
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