Beauty in Black is an American drama television series created, directed and executive produced by Tyler Perry. It is currently in its second season. The series stars Crystle Stewart and Taylor Polidore Williams as two women leading very different lives. The first part of season one premiered on Netflix on October 24, 2024, with the second part premiering on March 6, 2025. The first part of the second season premiered on September 11, 2025. The second part of second season premiered on March 19, 2026. Ahead of the second part of second season premiere, in December 2025, the series was renewed for a third season, and for a fourth season in July 2026.
Contents
Premise
Two young women from opposite sides of the tracks cross paths—as one tries to survive her day to day as a stripper who is stuck hostage with a violent pimp, the other runs a successful hair care (relaxer) company with dysfunctional in-laws and is trapped in a loveless marriage.
Cast and characters
Main
Taylor Polidore Williams as Kimmie
Crystle Stewart as Mallory
Ricco Ross as Horace
Amber Reign Smith as Rain
Xavier Smalls as Angel
Julian Horton as Roy
Steven G. Norfleet as Charles
Richard Lawson as Norman
Terrell Carter as Varney
Shannon Wallace as Calvin (season 1)
Charles Malik Whitfield as Jules
Debbi Morgan as Olivia
Bryan Tanaka as Officer Alex (season 2; recurring season 1)
Recurring
D'Kia Anderson as Leslie (season 1)
Joy Rovaris as Gillian (season 1)
Tamera Kissen as Body (season 1)
Ursula O. Robinson as Delinda (season 1)
Ashley Elizabeth Versher as Lena (season 1)
Phylicia Lloyd as Yolanda
Bailey Tippen as Sylvie
George Middlebrook as Officer Trackson
Ts Madison as Daga
Deangelo Howard Jr. as Salvo (season 1)
Theon Walls as Debo (season 1)
Antoine Williams as Frank (season 1)
Jimmie Cummings as Harold
Kajanee Smith as Felicia
Colin Richard Allen as Dustin
Ann Marie Gideon as Dr. Justly
Greg Clarkson as James
Derek S. Orr as Daniel Lakland (season 2)
Philemon Chambers as Andy (season 2)
Rodrigo Aburto as Evan (season 2)
Randall J. Bacon as Whitman (season 2)
Aria Castillo as Adeline (season 2)
Episodes
Production
In October 2023, Tyler Perry signed multi-year first-look deal with Netflix. On February 12, 2024, it was reported that Netflix has ordered 16-episode drama series Beauty in Black, his first series for streaming service under the deal. In April 2024, the cast was announced with Taylor Polidore Williams and Crystle Stewart as leads, Amber Reign Smith, Ricco Ross, Debbi Morgan, Richard Lawson, Steven G. Norfleet, Julian Horton, and Terrell Carter as series regulars. Shannon Wallace, Bryan Tanaka, Joy Rovaris, Xavier Smalls, Charles Malik Whitfield, Tamera "Tee" Kissen, Ursula O. Robinson, Ashley Versher and George Middlebrook were was cast in a recurring roles.
In March 2025, Netflix renewed the show for a second season following the release of Season 1 Part 2. The series gained significant popularity, with Part 1 spending four weeks in Netflix's Top 10 and reaching No. 1 in 28 countries during its second week. Season 2 has been released in two parts.
In December 2025, ahead of the second part of second season premiere, Netflix renewed the series for a third season.
In July 2026, ahead of the release of season three, it was announced the series was renewed for a fourth and final season.
Reception
Critical response
The first season received negative reviews from television critics. Television critic Andrew Lawrence from The Guardian gave it one star of five writing: "The wildly successful mogul's first drama series for the streamer is a disaster with one-dimensional characters and haphazard plotting". Joel Keller from the Decider also gave it a negative review writing: "Tyler Perry's Beauty In Black is about a subtle as a slap in the face, which is something we're surprised we didn't see in the grim, abuse-filled first episode" but noted Crystle Stewart's performance as Mallory Bellarie.
Audience viewership
Beauty in Black debuted as Netflix's fourth-most-watched series with 5.6 million views in its first four days of availability. On the second week, it rose to the top of the streamer's TV chart for October 28 to November 3, hitting 8.7 million views.