TV audiences have become very vocal about what television genres and stories they would like to see. The comedy crowd has demonstrated that they have an intense craving for comedies with a twist. Luckily for them, BET+ has a great offering, Diarra From Detroit, their new hit show that has been making waves online.
The series centers around Diarra, a school teacher struggling with her separation from her husband Swa, played by the smooth Morris Chestnut. She is unable to accept her failed marriage, which has caused her to experience a wide range of emotions. She decides to shake things up to help her move on and, like many folks, finds a decent prospect via Tinder. Diarra meets Chris, played by Shannon Wallace, and things go extremely well as the sparks fly between the two, leading to a great night of passion and chemistry. Shortly after, Diarra cannot reach Chris and becomes frustrated with the idea that another man has abandoned her.
Her friends try to explain to her that it is typical for a man to “ghost” a woman after a date, but Diarra refuses to believe it and is determined to find out why Chris vanished. This leads her and her friends on a mysterious adventure that ties into a cold case involving a missing person in 1995.
Diarra From Detroit immediately captures the audience’s attention with its authentic, hilarious, and engaging premise and characters. Diarra’s determination piques our interest as we try to figure out what happened to Chris alongside her. Most of us can relate to the feeling of being ghosted and have wondered, “Did I do something wrong?” or “Did something happen to them?” But mystery aside, the show is tons of fun. The jokes are nonstop, and they aren’t just cheesy one-liners or zingers, as the situations Diarra finds herself in are inherently funny, as is our star. The delivery consistently lands like a punch from Ali.
The writing is incredibly enjoyable from the first to the final episode. There isn’t anything quite like Diarra From Detroit, and despite the white media’s best efforts to box Black-created shows, Diarra From Detroit carves out a place for itself within the TV comedy landscape.
The flashbacks provide a nice framework for the mystery to unfold, keeping the viewer on track as more is uncovered with each episode. The show never loses momentum, as the sharp writing keeps us on the edge of our seats. Part way through, the show has its hooks in you, making it a no-brainer for BET+ to make a second season happen. In a time where creativity is dwindling and opportunities for Black talent are measured, Diarra From Detroit gives us hope that talented people will continue to put out fun projects and keep the fresh ideas coming.
With scripts this funny, what’s needed is a talented cast to bring them to life. Diarra Kilpatrick is surrounded by some exceptional colleagues that help build up Diarra as a character and flesh out and create a colourful environment for our story to take place. Dominque Perry, Bryan Clark, and Claudia Logan perform fantastically as Diarra’s friends. The legendary Phylicia Rashad surprises us in a role unlike anything she’s done before. Chestnut proves once again why people are absolutely rabid for him.
Then there is our star, Diarra Kilpatrick, who wears two hats as the show’s creator and lead, doing a damn good job at both. Kilpatrick’s natural screen presence and witty one-liners make her a standout star. Just as Insecure catapulted Issa Rae to the upper echelon of TV creators and comedic actresses, Kilpatrick should see the same success with her impressive feat here.
This is one of those shows that will still interest the average viewer no matter what kind of shows they typically latch onto. It has something for everyone; whether you enjoy strong Black leads, comedies, thrillers, or mysteries, there is something here for you. Since its premiere in late March, the show’s hype has grown stronger and stronger. As it ends, the only thing left to do is to keep spreading the word. Viewers and critics love the series.
Rating: 9.5/10
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