“The Other Black Girl” on Hulu, based on the book “The Other Black Girl” written by Zakia Harris, is a thrilling series that takes you on the journey of its main character, Nella, to make a place for herself in the corporate world and within her editing career at Wagner books. The series throws you right into the faire starting off with a scene of a young black girl (whom we later find out is the first black editor at Wagner Books, Kendra Rae) feeling from her office in terror. Throughout the series it is further explained why we see this woman running in fear and what exactly happened to her. After this scene we skip forward to present times, where we see nella riding the subway on her way to work. On her way to her cubicle she passes a photo of the same young black woman hanging on the wall. We soon learn Nella’s appreciation for this woman (Kendra Rae) as she is the editor of Nellas favorite book, Burning heart. It becomes clear to us that Burning Heart is one of Nella’s comfort books as well as her inspiration for what she does.
We are next introduced to a new employee at the office, Hazel. Hazel comes in and becomes one of the only two black employees at Wagner Books alongside Nella and the two hit it off almost immediately, Nella provides Hazel with all the tea on her new coworkers and also confides in her about her feelings of the newest book being published by Wagner books by one of its most popular authors, Colin Franklin. Nella tells Hazel about a controversial character within the book that portrays black people in a negative light and is in turn encouraged by Hazel to speak up about her reservations. This is the beginning of a series of events that leads us to believe that Hazel may not have Nellas’ best interest at heart. When the two are asked their opinions on the book by their bosses, Hazel neglects to share her opinion first and mentions that Nella had some thoughts. Hazel chooses not to defend Nella when she advocates for a better portrayal of the character and uses that opportunity to give herself a leg up saying she loved the book and saw nothing wrong. Throughout the series we see this dynamic played out more and more, as Hazel pushes Nella into situations that she normally would not put herself in, motivating her to take risks which sometimes end up paying off like when they sneak into a private party and Nella is caught by her boss (Richard Wagner). Instead of scolding her, he is open to hearing her ideas and this is what really gives Nella that extra push that she needs in her career. However, both Nella and her best friend Malaika have doubts about Hazel. Nella begins to receive mysterious notes telling her to leave Wagner as well as getting stopped on the subway and followed on her way to work, by a woman we will later find out is named Shonnie and has information on Hazel, who she informs us real name is Eva.
Nella is given the opportunity to meet and work with the writer of her favorite book, Burning Heart, Diana, who she later finds is working with Richard and Hazel in an elaborate scheme to produce successful black women using a sort of “magic” hair grease that helps them to obtain everything they desire.The series not only provides us with a satirical commentary on the experience of black individuals within the corporate world, but also delivers an enticing story about a group of black women using alternative methods to get themselves to the top and put more black people in predominantly white spaces. Though the goal is reasonable, the methods are questionable and Nella makes it her mission to understand their plan and take them down. She attempts to incite the assistance of her idol, Jesse Watson, who hosts a podcast discussing black issues and even called out Wagner books for attempting to hide the racist ideals within Colin Franklin’s book. However, at an event announcing the rebranding of Wagner books, she finds out that Jesse Watson is actually signing to write a book that Wagner books will publish. She attempts to tell everyone the truth about what’s going on behind closed doors, but is ignored and made to feel crazy. It isn’t until she is saved by her hero, Kendra Rae after being accosted by Hazel, that Nella is able to create a plan to take down Diana, Richard, Hazel, and their corrupt organization of “the other black girls”. Nella finally accepts the grease from Hazel, showing up to work the next day a seemingly brand new woman, and Diana and Hazel feel as though they have finally done what they wanted to all this time. The series ends with a scene of Malaika and Kendra Rae, tasing and kidnapping Jesse Watson in a black van and moving to Nella in her brand new office. The “new” Nella, calls someone on the phone and says two words, “I’m in”, and that concludes the 10 episode series.
Overall, The Other Black girl is able to combine satire with mystery to create an exciting story of not only Nella and her suspicions of Hazel, but also the story of Diana and Kendra Rae and what led to her disappearance. With a Jordan Peele esque style and Shonda Rhimes type characters, this show is sure to keep you at the edge of your seat throughout every episode. It provides a perfect combination of comedy and drama whilst also sending a message. After watching you will find yourself thinking, as dramatic and amoral as Diana’s strategy to uplift black voices and get them into the right rooms might have been, it speaks to the struggles that the black community faces in the real corporate world and tells a tale of how desperate it can lead a person to become. All that’s left to ask is, will there be a season two?