Netflix’s #blackAF will not be receiving a season 2, but the story could continue on in a film franchise. #blackAF is a mockumentary comedy from black-ish creator Kenya Barris, starring Barris as a fictionalized version of himself who seeks to uncover the funny yet messy world of a “new money” Black family trying to do their best. Netflix renewed the series for season 2 in June 2020.
As reported by THR in a profile of Barris, Netflix has now cancelled the previously intended #blackAF season 2, but the series may continue as a film franchise. Though the streaming giant has reversed its decision, Barris says he’s planning on turning the series into a family comedy film franchise akin to National Lampoon’s Vacation, with Deadline reporting he’s in “early conversations” with Netflix to do so.
Though the pandemic’s influence on the industry has lessened, certain lingering effects still remain. Whether or not the reversal of this decision has anything to do with the pandemic closures is unclear. In this case, it sounds more like a conclusion Barris and Netflix came to together, deciding the series was better suited to be a film franchise. Barris also has plenty of other projects on the horizon after leaving his Netflix deal late last year for a new pact with ViacomCBS. Barris’ -ish franchise is still going strong. black-ish is going into its eighth and final season on ABC, grown-ish is still airing on Freeform, and mixed-ish was a success for its two seasons. Even if #blackAF may be over in its current form, it’s clear Barris isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
