35 TV Shows Premiering Or Returning In 2025 That You Absolutely Can't Miss (Including Some Huuuuge Fan-Faves)
Whether you're into reality TV, hard-hitting dramas, murder mysteries, or high fantasy, there's a 2025 show with your name on it. Here are 35 shows you should have on your radar:
1. Mythic Quest, Season 4
For its fourth season, Mythic Quest is returning to its roots by bringing everyone back under the same roof. This incredibly dysfunctional group of employees and executives will continue to try to keep their wildly successful video game company from flying off the rails.
The series promises to get even wackier and inane than the previous three seasons, which I'm not even sure is possible.
Release date: Jan. 29, 2025
2. Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,Season 1
Disney
The studio that brought us 2024's X-Men '97 returns with a colourful Spider-Man series. It will follow Peter Parker (Hudson Thames) as he navigates the trials and tribulations of high school on his way to becoming Spider-Man. There is a slight twist on the usual Spider-Man formula — this time, Norman Osbourn (Colman Domingo) will be Peter Parker's mentor.
Release date: Jan. 29, 2025
Starring: Colman Domingo, Hudson Thames, Kari Wahlgren
3. Mo, Season 2
Netflix
Mo will return for its second and final season. The comedy series follows Mo Najjar (Mohammed Amer), a Palestinian refugee desperately trying to secure asylum and eventual US citizenship. The series is based on the co-creator and star Mohammed Amer's own life and is a unique look into the daily struggles of a Palestinian refugee in the US.
While the premise doesn't scream comedy, I can guarantee that if this season is anything like the first, it will be genuinely funny and deeply impactful.
Release date: Jan. 30, 2025
Starring: Mohammed Amer, Teresa Ruiz, Omar Elba
4. Love is Blind, Season 8
Love is Blind is once again setting out to answer the age-old question: "Is love truly blind?" If the first seven seasons and the numerous international versions haven't managed to answer the question, perhaps this season will.
The series' premise is essentially blind dating on steroids. The show sets up the contestants on "dates" by placing them in pods where they can hear the other person, but can't see them. After 10 days of going on dates, if a couple chooses to get engaged, they can finally see what their partner looks like.
Release date: Feb. 14, 2025
Starring: Nick Lachey, Vanessa Lachey
5. Yellowjackets, Season 3
The critically acclaimed series returns for its third season. It follows the Yellowjackets, a high school girls' soccer team after their plane crashes deep in the Canadian wilderness.
Without any spoilers, the events of the last season will have CRAZY ramifications in this new season. If the premise interests you, don't read anything about the series — just start watching (ideally with Season 1)!
Release date: Feb. 14, 2025
6. The White Lotus, Season 3
Fabio Lovino / HBO
So long, Italy, we're moving to yet another White Lotus resort location — this time in Thailand.
For those of you who haven't been following the series, each season features a a White Lotus resort in a new tourist hot spot and a (mostly) new group of hotel patrons and staff. Throughout the season, the characters' lives intermingle, revealing the dark underside of a seemingly innocent vacation.
Release date: Feb. 16, 2025
Starring: Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Michelle Monaghan, Walter Goggins, Aimee Lou Wood, Parker Posey
7. Suits L.A., Season 1
David Astorga / NBC
Suits is receiving its second spin-off, Suits L.A. It'll follow a new law firm based in (if you didn't guess) Los Angeles, run by Ted Black (Stephen Amell). We don't know much about the series yet, but it's safe to say it'll try to recreate the witty, fast-paced energy of the original show.
Release date: Feb. 23, 2025
Starring: Stephen Amell, Bryan Greenberg, Josh McDermitt, Lex Scott Davis, Troy Winbush
8. Daredevil: Born Again, Season 1
Disney
The long-awaited soft reboot of Daredevil (2015) is here, with Charlie Cox once again donning the mantle of Matt Murdock and his alter ego Daredevil. The series will take place several years after the conclusion of the original Daredevil (2015).
I still can't believe we're getting Vincent D'Onofrio as Kingpin and Jon Bernthal as the Punisher *again.* Truly perfect casting.
On top of that, many other members of the original cast will return, including Elden Henson, Deborah Ann Woll, and Wilson Bethel.
Release date: Mar. 4, 2025
Starring: Charlie Cox, Margarita Levieva, Wilson Bethel, Jon Bernthal, Vincent D'Onofrio
9. You, Season 5
Netflix / Everett Collection
You, the viral, critically acclaimed series, is returning for its final season. After much bloodshed and self-reflection, Joe Goldberg's (Penn Badgley) journey will come to an end. But first, he'll return to where it all began: New York.
While we don't know much else about the final season, Penn Badgley has alluded that it aims to have a spectacular finish for the series.
Release date: Mar. 6, 2025
Starring: Penn Badgley, Charlotte Ritchie
10. Dark Winds, Season 3
Dark Winds is a cop drama set in the '70s that follows two Navajo officers, Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) and Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon). The third season appears to be more focused on the surreal and metaphysical elements than the first two seasons.
As a fan of True Detective and Twin Peaks, there's nothing I love more than when you throw a couple of supernatural twists into a cop drama, so you better believe I'll be there on March 9th.
Release date: Mar. 9, 2025
Starring: Zahn McClarnon, Kiowa Gordon, Jessica Matten
11. The Wheel of Time, Season 3
The Wheel of Time, based on Robert Jordan's fantasy epic, returns for a third season. The series will continue to follow Moiraine (Rosamund Pike) as she does her best to protect Rand (Josha Stradowski), the Dragon Reborn who is destined to save the world. The only issue is that in all of her prophecies, either she lives or he does. Never both of them.
Release date: Mar. 13, 2025
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski, Madeleine Madden, Zoë Robins, Marcus Rutherford
12. The Last of Us, Season 2
HBO
Maybe the best video game adaptation *ever* is back after two years. The first season of The Last of Us followed Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) and Ellie Williams (Bella Ramsey) on their journey across a dystopian United States.
Are you planning on watching this season? If so, watch out for spoilers once this comes out! If this season even remotely follows the source material, it will stir up A LOT of controversy.
Release date: Apr. 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Kaitlyn Dever, Young Mazino, Isabela Merced, Jeffrey Wright, Catherine O'Hara
13. Andor, Season 2
Disney
The first season of Andor felt like a breath of fresh air. At a time when Star Wars content tended to be both overambitious and half-baked, Andor was the opposite. It was relatively grounded and dealt with personal themes that are relevant to our world today.
Season 2 is set to come out in a similar political climate. It will continue to follow Cassian (Diego Luna) as he prepares to lead a resistance against the Empire. And I don't know about you, but I'm particularly excited to see Ben Mendelsohn reprise the role of Orson Krennic from Rouge One.
Release date: Apr. 22, 2025
Starring: Diego Kuna, Ben Mendelsohn, Alan Tudyk, Forest Whitaker
14. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Season 2
One of 2024's most-watched reality TV series returns this spring (exact date TBD). The series follows a group of women who became TikTok stars under the group moniker #MomTok. Although that summary may not sound exciting, the show opens with the fallout from a swinging scandal and only becomes more unhinged from there.
Despite the first season only having eight episodes, it is so packed with drama that it puts other reality TV shows to shame. If you somehow missed this show, you better start catching up now. When this season comes out, it's all anybody's going to be talking about.
Release date: Spring 2025
Starring: Taylor Frankie Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Demi Engemann, Jen Affleck, Jessi Ngatikaura, Layla Taylor, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley
15. Ironheart, Season 1
Disney
The MCU may be finished with Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr), but not with Ironman. Will Riri Williams/Ironheart (Dominique Thorne) be able to fill his shoes?
This brand-new Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series follows Riri on her mission to create groundbreaking Iron Man suits. Unfortunately for her, this will mean dealing with some shady characters, most notably the mysterious Parker Robbins, AKA The Hood (Anthony Ramos).
With Avengers Doomsday on the horizon for 2026, it seems clear that they're setting Riri up to become one of Earth's Mightiest Heroes.
Release date: June 24, 2025
Starring: Dominique Thorne, Anthony Ramos, Manny Montana
16. The Bear, Season 4
FX / Hulu
The show that is only slightly less stressful than a heart attack — and the winner of, let me check, 21 Emmys — is set to return later this year.
Without going into spoilers, The Bear follows Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), a young fine-dining chef, as he returns home to take over his late brother's restaurant. It is a fast-paced, high-anxiety show that is as much about family trauma as it is about running a restaurant.
Release date: June 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Liza Colón-Zayas, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Lionel Boyce, Abby Elliott, Matty Matheson
17. Eyes of Wakanda, Season 1
At only four episodes long, Eyes of Wakanda may have the shortest season on this list. The anthology series will follow Wakandan warriors throughout history as they attempt to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from unsavoury villains.
If the sentence above sounded like nonsense to you, here's a cheat sheet:
Wakanda: A fictional country located in Africa. In the MCU, it is considered the most technologically advanced nation in the world.
Vibranium: A fictional metal with an extraordinary ability to manipulate kinetic energy.
The series will be one of Marvel's three animated series debuting this year, alongside Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and Marvel Zombies.
Release date: Aug. 6, 2025
Starring: Danai Gurira
18. Peacemaker, Season 2
After three years and a complete reboot of DC's cinematic universe, Peacemaker is receiving a soft reboot. (It feels insane to say that a one-season show is receiving a reboot after only three years — but, hey, we're living fast here.)
There is almost no information about the story of the second season. The only confirmation we have is from James Gunn on Threads that the second season of Peacemaker will take place chronologically after Superman (2025).
Release date: Aug. 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: John Cena, Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee
19. Alien: Earth, Season 1
FX / Hulu
Alien: Earth will follow the discovery of a mysterious space vessel that has crashed on Earth (what could it contain??). Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and a ragtag group of soldiers will be forced to come between the newfound threat and (presumably) humanity's continued existence.
Release Date: Summer 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Sydney Chandler, Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis
20. The Gilded Age, Season 3
HBO
The Gilded Age is returning for its third season later this year.
It will continue the New York high society period piece set in the late 1800s. The series focuses on the shifting power dynamics between old and new money. It takes advantage of the fact that individuals could fall into great fortune and suddenly find themselves among the rich and powerful without proper training in etiquette and customs.
We'll just have to wait and see how the new money turns New York's high society upside down in this new season.
Release date: Summer 2025 (exact date to be announced)
21. Chad Powers, Season 1
Hulu
Chad Powers is a fictional comedy series inspired by ESPN's video of Eli Manning going in disguise to a college football walk-on.
This series will follow disgraced football player Russ Holliday (Glen Powell) as he goes undercover as the genial Chad Powers on a struggling football team.
It remains to be seen what the exact tone will be, but after Ted Lasso 's success, it's hard to imagine that it won't have a few wholesome notes. (I mean, Chad Powers is supposedly an affable southern guy — that's quite literally Ted Lasso.)
Release date: Fall 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Glen Powell, Steve Zahn, Clayne Crawford
22. Black Rabbit, Season 1
Black Rabbit is a new drama series coming from Netflix later this year. Set in New York City, Jake Friedken (Jude Law) invites his chaotic brother Vince (Jason Bateman) to work at his nightclub. While this move could strengthen Vince and Jake's relationship, it could also threaten to destroy everything Jake has built.
Thank goodness Jason Bateman is back with a new crime drama. It feels like it's been ages since Ozark ended.
Starring: Abbey Lee, Jason Bateman, Jude Law
23. Nobody Wants This, Season 2
The surprisingly delightful Nobody Wants This will return for another season later this year. It follows an unlikely pair: Joanne (Kristen Bell), an agnostic podcast host, and Noah (Adam Brody), a young unconventional rabbi, as they fall in love despite their families' wishes.
This is one of those *perfect* fall shows. I highly recommend planning a weekend around it.
Release Date: 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Justine Lupe, Timothy Simons, Jackie Tohn
24. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Season 1
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms will be a prequel to Game of Thrones based on the series of novellas entitled Tales of Dunk and Egg. Don't go into this expecting a world-spanning, multi-protagonist epic; it's bound to be much quainter than that.
The series will be about a knight and his squire who travel across the fictional world of Westeros and become involved in the issues of the townspeople.
The first season will follow the first novella, The Hedge Knight (1998), leaving room for future seasons to follow the other novellas, The Sworn Sword (2003) and The Mystery Knight (2010).
Release date: 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Finn Bennett, Bertie Carvel, Daniel Ings, Sam Spruell
25. And Just Like That..., Season 3
Craig Blankenhorn / Max
And Just Like That..., the reboot of the incredibly popular series Sex and the City, will return later this year. The show follows several members of the original cast as they adjust to life in their 50s, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis, to name a few.
We don't know much about this season's story so far, but we do know that Karen Pittman and Sara Ramirez won't be returning. There's a lot of speculation as to how their departures will affect the show's trajectory.
Release Date: 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Mario Cantone
26. Stranger Things, Season 5
After nearly a three-year hiatus, Stranger Things is finally back for its fifth and final season. (It's kind of crazy to think that season 1 of this show came out waaaay back in 2016.)
We don't know much about the plot so far, but Ross Duffer (one of the creators of Stranger Things) said during a Geeked Week panel that Season 5 is going to have major reveals about the Upside Down, and those reveals are going to really affect the story of the last season.
Release Date: 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Millie Bobby Brown.
27. Wednesday, Season 2
The series that skyrocketed to the top of Netflix's popular series list is back for a second season.
Wednesday follows Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) as she attempts to solve a murder at her school, the Nevermore Academy, using her psychic abilities.
The first season gained popularity because of its stylistic approach to a dark, supernatural mystery series — there are just not many of those these days. Oh, and not to mention Jenna Ortega's performance, which earned her a 2024 Emmy nomination.
Release date: 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Starring: Jenna Ortega, Hunter Doohan, Emma Myers, Joy Sunday, Georgie Farmer, Victor Dorobantu
And now, here are some upcoming shows that will HOPEFULLY be released sometime in 2025, but haven't been 100% confirmed yet. You should have these on your watchlist anyway!
28. Conan O'Brien Must Go, Season 2
Conaco / Max
Conan O'Brien continues to prove that he can take any content genre and weave it into comedy gold.
In Conan O'Brien Must Go, Conan travels to different countries to surprise people he met through his podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Fan. It's absurd and silly and a tad educational.
The countries for the second season have yet to be announced, but considering the diverse locations from season 1 (Norway, Thailand, Argentina, and Ireland), Season 2 could take place anywhere.
Release date: 2025 (TBC)
Starring: Conan O'Brien
29. Étoile, Season 1
Jason Smith / Everett Collection
While we don't know much about Étoile yet, it's definitely worth having on your radar. For starters, it's already been picked up for two seasons!
Étoile will be set in New York and Paris and follow two world-renowned ballet companies as they attempt to garner attention by swapping their biggest stars.
The series is also notable because of its creators, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino. They're behind Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Ms. Maisel, two smash-hit TV series well known for their quick, witty dialogue and complex characters.
Release date: 2025 (TBC)
Starring: Luke Kirby, John Lam, LaMay Zhang
30. Hacks, Season 4
Jake Giles Netter / Max
Off the back of the critically adored third season (count 16 Emmy nominations), Hacks will soon be back for a fourth season.
Hacks follows the burgeoning relationship between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a stand-up comedian, and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), a young comedy writer, as they use each other to advance their careers.
With any luck, Season 4 will be just as strong as the previous seasons, allowing the creators to finish the five-season arc they've had in mind from the very beginning.
Release Date: 2025 (TBC)
Starring: Rose Abdoo, Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Carl Clemons-Hopkins
31. It: Welcome to Derry, Season 1
Warner Bros. / Everett Collection
Get ready for more red balloons, because Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgård) is back.
It: Welcome to Derry is a prequel series to the 2017 film It. The series will expand on the story established in the two It films and draw inspiration from the original novel.
A recently released trailer indicates that the series will feature a series of connected crimes, the rise of a cult, and everyone's favourite shape-shifting monstrous entity. In short, it's everything you could want from an It TV show.
Release date: 2025 (TBC)
Starring: Jovan Adepo, Bill Skarsgård
32. Only Murders in the Building, Season 5
Patrick Harbron / Hulu / Disney / Everett Collection
Everybody's favourite true-crime podcast trio will soon be back to solve yet another murder (in the building).
This series follows amateur detectives Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin), Oliver Putnam (Martin Short), and Mabel Mora (Selena Gomez) as they solve murders that occur in their apartment building.
How many murders does this trio need to solve before murderers get the hint that they should commit their violent crimes elsewhere?
Release date: 2025 (TBC)
Starring: Steve Martin, Martin Short, Selena Gomez
33. The Chair Company, Season 1
Terence Patrick / Netflix / Everett Collection
Fans of the sketch comedy show I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson will be excited to hear that Tim Robinson has a new show on the way. We don't know much yet, but if the description is any indication, it'll be as ridiculous as the sketches that made Tim Robinson famous.
The Chair Company follows William Ronald Trosper (Tim Robinson), who, after an embarrassing incident at work, finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.
Nobody plays "man in an embarrassing situation" better than Tim Robinson.
Release Date: 2025 (TBC)
Starring: Tim Robinson
34. The Handmaid's Tale, Season 6
Hulu / Everett Collection
The sixth and final season of the chilling, critically acclaimed series is slated to air sometime in 2025.
The series, which is based on the novel of the same name, is set in a future dystopian North America. It centres around a woman who is forced to live as a concubine under a fundamentalist regime.
It's impossible not to notice how relevant this series is today, as it deals with themes like misogyny, women's bodily autonomy, and reproductive rights.
Release date: 2025 (TBC)
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, Ann Dowd
35. The Paper, Season 1
Elizabeth Goodenough / Everett Collection, Tommaso Boddi / Variety / Getty Images
The Office (US) is returning unexpectedly with a spin-off series in the same universe. But don't get your hopes up about beloved characters returning. At this point, it seems unlikely that any original cast members will return for a major role.
Rather than continuing one of the original characters' stories, this spin-off will focus on the documentary crew's next subject. (You know, the one that filmed Dunder Mifflin for all those years?) The new company they are filming is...
Drum roll, please...
A struggling midwestern newspaper that is trying to stay afloat by using volunteer reporters. (What could go wrong?)
Some notable cast members who have signed on are Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina and About Time) and Sabrina Impacciatore (White Lotus).
Release date: 2025 (TBC)
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore
What shows are you most looking forward to in 2025? Did any of your faves not make the list?
And check out BuzzFeed Canada on TikTok and Instagram for more!
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Powered by essential oils such as citronella, these bands can help repel the pests without the need to douse yourself in bug spray several times a day. No mosquito will dare approach you as you embark on your theme park adventures; these bracelets will help keep the creepy-crawlies far, far away! A tube of Neutrogena Ultrasheer SPF 70 sunscreen to protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun. This lightweight formula helps prevent sunburn without the heavy finish and is conveniently travel-sized, making it the perfect addition to your pre-Disney routine. With this lotion, the only sun you need to fear is the one that comes barreling toward you on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. A pack of compression socks that can help your circulation, foot swelling, and pain, and make it easier for you to hike across the Magic Kingdom parking lot. You can say goodbye to the days of leg swelling and hello to *sweet* relief as you march countless miles each day of your trip. Don't let the potential pain stop you from having the time of your life at the Happiest Place on Earth! A Color Wow Dreamcoat anti-frizz hairspray to maintain those picture-perfect locks, despite the heat! This spray repels moisture to stop humidity from impacting your hair, leaving your hair feeling smooth and silky. Just spray it liberally on damp, towel-dried hair, then blow dry for the finishing touch. With this spray, your blowout will stay as perfect as Princess Belle herself! A Burt's Bees after-sun lotion perfect for bringing some relief to any sunburns that may occur while you're skipping across Tomorrow Land. With aloe and coconut oil, this skin lotion can soothe and bring hydrating relief to your sun-kissed skin. An Anker portable charger because you will be constantly using your phone to check the wait times, plan ahead with your Genie+, or just playing Charades with your family (or random strangers) while stuck in a line. Don't let its slim exterior fool you; this device is one of the highest reviewed power banks on Amazon for a reason. It can charge a smartphone up to three times while still being light enough to comfortably carry around Hollywood Studios as you search for hidden Mickeys! A pill organizer to keep all of your meds on hand so that you're not trying to dig through your bag for different bottles. With eight multi-size compartments, this carrier can safely store any size pill or vitamin you need. Small enough to fit in your pocket, this organizer will be your saving grace as you attempt to squeeze in just one more plushy from the Emporium into your bag. A travel umbrella designed to block out both the constant Florida showers and the overbearing midday sun. This is a heavy-duty umbrella has eight sturdy fiberglass ribs, making it incredibly wind-resistant, while still being able to fold into a small size. Don't miss your chance to join the line for Pandora's Flight of Passage just because of a little rain, this umbrella will help you make the most of your day no matter the weather! A set of travel perfume carriers that can hold all of your favorite eau de parfums as you make your way around The Isle of Berk. After sweating under the sun for a whole day, you will be happy you packed these sprays so that you can refresh yourself at your convenience. A Miss Mouth's stain remover spray to help wipe away the Mickey Ice Cream Bar residue from your little one's shorts. Designed to remove even the toughest of stains, this spray is a necessity when wrangling your family through the parks while attempting to keep their clothes Instagram-worthy. A three-pack of Disney-inspired lanyards so your family can keep their key cards strapped close to them at all times. With pouches to hold any additional cards or cash, these are great for anyone trying to waltz around Disney without the feeling of being weighed down by a wallet. Perhaps one of the most important items on this list, these ID holders are necessary for those who tend to misplace things more often than not. A pair of aqua socks to protect your feet and save you from any pool slipping incidents while at Typhoon Lagoon or Volcano Bay. Super lightweight and flexible, these socks are perfect for your water excursions during your ultimate Disney vacation! A hand sanitizer holder because you should always have one on hand when you're in a place as crowded as Disney or Universal. Hook these cute keychains to your backpack and don't fear losing them on the monorail, your favorite scented sanitizer is always close by! Ta-da! I declare you ready for your theme park adventure!
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
This Is Why You Should Keep Watching Audra McDonald
THE VIEW - (5.22.14) Guest co-host and political commentator Margaret Hoover; Seth MacFarlane; ... More Sherri and Jenny dissect the latest pop culture news;Tony award nominee Audra McDonald ("Lady Day at Emersons Bar and Grill). "The View" airs Monday-Friday (11:00 am-12:00 pm, ET) on the Walt Disney Television Network. (Photo by Fred Lee/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) There is a difference between simplistic ability and that of talent, and Audra McDonald is a steady and bright emulation of both, with an extraordinary ability. A blatant force in American theater, the talent of Audra McDonald lies not only in her voice and performance range, but in the depth of her contributions to Broadway's legacy. Her career spans over three decades as both an unmatched practitioner of theater and a transformative cultural figure, redefining what's possible on the stage for women, for Black artists, and for the totality of American theater. McDonald's name is debossed in Broadway history for notable reasons. She holds a record-breaking six Tony Awards, the most for any performer, and is the only actor to have won in all four competitive acting categories with lead and featured roles in both musicals and plays. With 11 Tony nominations to date, she's also the most nominated performer in the award's history. She won her first Tony at just 23 years old for her performance in Carousel, announcing her evident coming in the game. Now, over 30 years later, her recent nomination for Gypsy has brought her 360 degree moment in a manner that is both symbolic and historic. Who would have thought, given the trials Black women have endured in the world of theater, that it would be a Black woman who now holds that title? Should McDonald win her category on Sunday night, she will break her own record once again, solidifying her place not just as the most decorated talent in Tony history, but as the living, breathing document of evolution. The Berlin born actress is not just someone you should watch. She is history in motion. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 19: Audra Mcdonald speaks onstage during "Gypsy" Broadway Opening ... More Night at Majestic Theatre on December 19, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by) Her recent performance as Mama Rose in Gypsy has only cemented that legendary status. The role is historically one of Broadway's most demanding and mythic roles and McDonald brought a refined emotional complexity and sharp vocal precision to a character long associated with white actresses like Ethel Merman and Patti LuPone. Her portrayal was not just a simple rendition, it was more of a reinvention. For many, seeing a Black woman embody such an iconic role on a major stage was an act that was overdue. McDonald is the first Black woman to portray Mama Rose on Broadway, a milestone in and of itself. The production did more than reimagine what is a Broadway classic, it triggered a national conversation about who is privy to take on one of the most iconic roles in American theater. For decades, characters like Mama Rose have been treated as sacred territory and portrayed almost exclusively by white actresses. McDonald's casting directly challenged such a legacy, influencing audiences and institutions alike to reckon with long-held assumptions about race, authorship, and tradition. Her performance proved that emotional truth and theatrical power are not bound by race and that Broadway's most revered characters can, and should, be reimagined to reflect the advanced modern world. When asked by Gayle King in a recent CBS Mornings interview, 'What does the word legend mean to you when it's applied to you?,' McDonald replied with her class act humility: McDonald is just transparently a deeply grounded artist who understands her role in a lineage that is larger than herself. Actress Lena Horne in the show Broadway Rhythm, 1975. (Photo by Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty ... More Images) Her career is deeply rooted in a long line of Black women who have carved space in American theater under impossible odds. Long before McDonald stood center stage at Lincoln Center or belted out operatic prestige on Broadway, Black women were forcing their way into an industry that refused to see them as equals. Figures in the likes of Ethel Waters, who is among one of the first Black women to headline on Broadway in the 1930s, and the unforgettable Lena Horne, a class act multi-talent who thrived in both musical theater and film despite the racist obstructions of Hollywood, laid the foundation. Often Black women were relegated to stereotypical roles as maids, mammies, or exoticized figures. And when they did break through, it was within tight confines dictated by white producers and audiences. Waters made history integrating Broadway with her 1933 performance in As Thousands Cheer, but faced immense racism and the burden of appeasing white sensibilities. Horne, with all her elegance and vocal prowess, refused demeaning roles but paid the price with limited opportunities. Foremothers like Waters and Horne were rarely granted the institutional support afforded to white performers. Yet, they still managed to bust the door open, one so wide, that the likes of McDonald could one day walk through it. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Audra Mcdonald attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating "Superfine: ... More Tailoring Black Style" at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) Walking right into that door opened by many of her predecessors, McDonald has been allowed to flourish in a wide range of roles typically denied to Black women. From Shakespeare to Sondheim, she has played characters written with no regard for race, ultimately redefining what it means to be a leading lady in American theater. Today's Black actresses continue to face typecasting, wage gaps, and underrepresentation in this creative leadership. McDonald stands as both a beneficiary of past resilience and a bridge to a new era and is representative of greater equity on and offstage. From Ragtime, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, and A Raisin in the Sun, all roles that earned her Tony accolades, and now Gypsy, Audra McDonald's body of work is without a doubt pretty weighty. The Fresno native has shared the stage with theater legends, notable directors. And the reverb of her influence, especially on aspiring Black performers in theater arts, can never be overstated. It is fair to conclude that McDonald is at the infancy at her cultural peak. We have not seen the last of her at all. Keep watching.
