Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television
Genre	Documentary
Directed by	Giselle Bailey Phil Bertelsen
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producers	Issa Rae Montrel McKay John Maggio Rachel Dretzin John Ealer Jonathan Berry Dave Becky Nancy Abraham Lisa Heller
Producers	Giselle Bailey Phil Bertelsen
Production companies	HBO Documentary Films Ark Media Hoorae Media
Original release
Network	HBO

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television is an 2025 American documentary miniseries directed and produced by Giselle Bailey and Phil Bertelsen. It explores the history of African-American representation in Hollywood, showcasing creators and artists who shaped it. Issa Rae serves as an executive producer.

It had its world premiere at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 8, 2025. It is scheduled to premiere September 9, 2025, on HBO. ^[1]

Premise

Explores African-American representation in Hollywood, showcasing creators and artists who shaped it. Issa Rae, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, Lena Waithe, Cord Jefferson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Swizz Beatz and Norman Lear appear in the series. ^[2]

Production

In August 2020, it was announced Phil Bertelsen would direct a documentary revolving around African-American representation in Hollywood, with Issa Rae set to executive produce and HBO Documentary Films producing and distributing. ^[3]

Release

It had its world premiere at the 2025 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on March 8, 2025. ^[4] It also screened at the American Black Film Festival on June 13, 2025. ^[5]

References

1. "What's New On HBO Max This September". Warner Bros. Discovery . August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 23, 2025.
2. "Seen & Heard". South by Southwest . Retrieved August 23, 2025.
3. White, Peter (August 5, 2020). "HBO Explores The History Of Black Television In Two-Part Doc From Issa Rae". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 23, 2025.
4. Grobar, Matt (January 22, 2025). "Seth Rogen Comedy Series 'The Studio' To Open SXSW 2025; 'The Accountant 2,' 'Death Of A Unicorn', 'Drop,' 'Happy Face' & More Also To Screen". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved August 23, 2025.
5. "Seen & Heard". American Black Film Festival . Retrieved August 23, 2025.

External links

• Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television at IMDb