"Number One On The Call Sheet" pays tribute to Black Excellence

The Real Perspectives

March 28, 2025

Apple TV+

The highly anticipated two-part film event celebrating Black excellence debuted today on Apple TV+, featuring some of Hollywood's top Black entertainers, both men and women, who have trailblazed their paths to the pinnacle of success. Divided into two parts, "Black Leading Men in Hollywood," directed by Reginald Hudlin (House Party, Boomerang), and "Black Leading Women in Hollywood," directed by Shola Lynch (Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed), showcases star-studded A-listers such as Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Laurence Fishburne, Idris Elba, Viola Davis, Halle Berry, and Angela Bassett, among others.

Achieving success in Hollywood is challenging but even more difficult for Black artists. These cinematic legends discuss their experiences of achieving their big breaks while acknowledging the trailblazing contributions of pioneers like Sidney Poitier and Hattie McDaniel, who paved the way for future generations. The triumphs and struggles, as well as the art of sustaining success and maintaining box-office appeal despite limited opportunities.

"Number One on the Call Sheet" is similar to the 2024 documentary "Black Hollywood," chronicling the Black experience in Hollywood through revealing stories and candid interviews. The films highlight the many contributions of earlier generations that made the journeys of present-day artists possible. It reflects on significant eras such as Blaxploitation, the commercial success of Black culture, and the new wave of talent embracing the evolving landscape. "Number One on the Call Sheet" provides viewers with unprecedented access to the joys and challenges of being a Black actor while highlighting their blueprints for success.

AppleTV+

Produced by Jamie Foxx, Kevin Hart, Datari Turner, and Dan Cogan, "Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood" includes Hudlin, Byron Phillips, Diana E. Williams, Bryan Smiley, Candice Wilson Cherry, Liz Garbus, and Mala Chapple. With Foxx and Hart lending their voices to the documentary, contributors also include John Boyega, Don Cheadle, Morris Chestnut, Ice Cube, Taye Diggs, Idris Elba, Laurence Fishburne, Morgan Freeman, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Martin Lawrence, Eddie Murphy, Will Smith, Denzel Washington and Marlon Wayans. Additional insights are shared by industry insiders Reuben Cannon, Nina Shaw, Matthew Johnson, Robi Reed, and Quentin Tarantino.

Executive producers for "Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood" include Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Whoopi Goldberg, Hudlin, Mishka Brown, Nanette Nelms, Smiley, Candace Wilson Cherry, Liz Garbus, Mala Chapple and Mark Monroe with Bassett, Berry, Davis and Goldberg lending their voices to the documentary. Additional contributors include Cynthia Erivo, Vivica A. Fox, Meagan Good, Tiffany Haddish, Taraji P. Henson, Nia Long, Ruth Negga, Gabourey Sidibe, Jurnee Smollett, Octavia Spencer, Tessa Thompson, Gabrielle Union and Alfre Woodard.

AppleTV+

As we celebrate the Black experience in Hollywood, the film serves as a poignant reminder that there is still so much work to be done as barriers continue to fall and glass ceilings shatter. The shared experiences highlight their struggles against ongoing racism and harmful stereotypes. For women, there is the additional challenge of misogyny and unrealistic beauty standards in the industry to overcome to reach the pinnacle of success in Hollywood.

The films are revealing, insightful, and at times, both funny and emotional, capturing the reality of their experiences. With significant progress made in recent years, we can hope that the path is paved a little bit easier for the new generation of rising Black stars as they aspire to be number one on their own call sheets.

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Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood" and Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Women in Hollywood are streaming now on AppleTV+.

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