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Broadcast Network Pilots Featuring People of Color

I was quite surprised by the number of pilots ordered that cast people of color in the main--not just supporting--roles. I'm also excited. There's no way that one of these won't make it on the air so there'll be even more of that screamed about 'diversity' on network television.

Here's a random list of ordered pilots and series from the networks:

ABC
  • Rosie Perez co-starring in An American Education (not sure how big her part is)
  • Constance Wu starring in Fresh off the Boat
  • Romany Malco and Amber Stevens starring in Keep It Together
  • Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, and Tracee Ellis Ross starring in Black-ish
  • Mykelti Williamson co-starring in Clementine
  • Viola Davis starring in How to Get Away With Murder
  • Courtney B. Vance co-starring in Warriors
NBC
  • Malcolm Barrett co-starring in Mission Control
  • Craig Robinson and Larenz Tate starring in Mr. Robinson
  • Echo Kellum co-starring in Two to Go
  • Meagan Good starring in Babylon Fields 
  • Laz Alonso co-starring in The Mysteries Of Laura
CW
  • Jesse L. Martin and Candice Patton co-starring in The Flash (not sure how big Patton's role is)
  • Malcolm Goodwin co-starring in iZombie
  • Lucien Laviscount co-starring in Supernatural: Tribes
FOX
  • Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson starring in Empire
  • Octavia Spencer co-starring in Red Band Society
CBS
  • Kal Penn in Battle Creek
  • Halle Berry in Extant

And that's just the actors and actresses in starring roles. The networks are still choosing shows, and many of the pilots haven't been cast so the list certainly could grow. I say if this means that any actor can audition and the best one will be chosen regardless, then so be it. That's exciting.
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