Five January TV Premieres We’re Excited About

This is Us, black-ish, lead high-profile January returns and premieres we can’t wait for

“Women of the Movement” stars Glynn Turman as Mose Wright, Tonya Pinkins as Alma Carthan, Cedric Joe as Emmett Till, Adrienne Warren as Mamie Till-Mobley, and Ray Fisher as Gene Mobley. Photo: ABC/Matthew Sayles

Following all the holiday specials and movies, January signals the re-start of the TV season, with long-awaited premieres and returns of fan favorites. Comedy, drama and even Shakespeare are all set to hit the not so small screen in January. The jam-packed line up features several series we’re definitely setting our calendars for. These are the January premieres we’re excited about.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
New York County Ballot Lawsuit Sparks Election Integrity Firestorm on Social Media

Tuesday, Jan. 4

This is Us Season 6 premiere – 9 pm NBC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DXxRULFrDk

We’re ready for tears, because there’s no other way This is Us can end. Though we haven’t spent a long time with the Pearsons, the five seasons we’ve been with them have been so emotionally packed, it’s the equivalent of dog years. Not much is known about how the show will wrap up, but Rebecca’s Alzheimer’s is getting worse, Randall’s biological mother may be alive and we need to know what happens with Kate. If the trailer is any indication, we’ll need a Costco-sized supply of tissues.

Tuesday, Jan. 4

black-ish Season 8 premiere – 9:30 pm ABC

Photo: ABC

We’ve been with the Johnsons through graduations, weddings, separations and reunions. Now it’s the beginning of the end, with the premiere of the eighth and final season. We don’t know what to expect for its last bow, but at least one episode will feature a guest appearance from Forever First Lady Michelle Obama. We assume there will be one-liners from Ruby, hilariously devious plans from Diane and epic fails from Junior. However, we also know the show will give us a genuinely heartfelt goodbye. 

Thursday, Jan. 6

Women of the Movement – 8 pm ABC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tApE1-1vdQ

Just because a story is hard to hear, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be told. In its new limited series Women of the Movement, ABC showcases the heartbreak and courage of Mamie Till-Mobley as she fights to get justice for her son and uses her pain to inspire others. Women of the Movement stars Glynn Turman as Mose Wright, Tonya Pinkins as Alma Carthan, Cedric Joe as Emmett Till, Adrienne Warren as Mamie Till-Mobley, and Ray Fisher as Gene Mobley. ABC News will air the companion docuseries Let The World See each week, chronicling the real events of the Emmett Till murder trial. This may be a tough watch, but it’s important that we support projects like this, so they continue to get made.

Tuesday, Jan. 11

Naomi – 9 pm The CW

The CW’s latest superhero series is based on DC Comics’ Naomi. Executive produced by Ava DuVernay, it stars Kaci Walfall as the title hero, a “cool, confident, comic-book loving” teenage girl whose life changes after being involved in a supernatural event. The CW is pretty good at putting a fresh spin on DC characters, so we’re interested to see what they do with one not as well-known as The Flash or Superman. Plus, you know we’re onboard anytime we get a Black superhero. 

Friday, Jan. 14

The Tragedy of Macbeth – AppleTV+

If all we knew was that Denzel is doing Shakespeare, that would be enough. Honestly, we wouldn’t even need to know which play it was. However, Denzel as Macbeth is a recipe for a masterclass in acting. Add in Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth and Corey Hawkins as Macduff, and we can’t possibly be more excited. Yes, we know all the hyperbole is setting us up for a possible letdown, but did we mention Denzel as Macbeth!

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

'Sinners' Cast: Where Are They Now?

‘Sinners’ Cast: Where Are They Now?

Now that Ryan Coogler’s vampire epic ‘Sinners’ has officially won the 2026 Awards season, let’s take a look at the next major moves for Michael B. Jordan and the cast! …
These 13 Beloved White Hollywood Icons Have a Racist Past

These 13 Beloved White Hollywood Icons Have a Racist Past

From John Wayne to Doris Day, these 13 Hollywood stars have been accused of being racist …
Black Snape Actor Recalls Death Treats From Harry Potter Fans 

Black Snape Actor Recalls Death Treats From Harry Potter Fans 

British star Paapa Essidu is finally responding to the racist backlash he’s received since signing on to portray this classic Harry Potter anti-hero …
Hey Timothy Chalamet! Ballet is Alive, and Black Women are Sustaining It

Hey Timothy Chalamet! Ballet is Alive, and Black Women are Sustaining It

Timothée Chalamet may think ballet is dead, but these Black women have used their talent and artistry to keep Alvin Ailey’s commitment to the genre alive …
Black Models on 'The Price is Right' Share Shocking Experiences

Black Models on ‘The Price is Right’ Share Shocking Experiences

Kathleen Bradley and Claudia Jordan, two of the few Black models working on ‘The Price Is Right’ is spilling all the sordid details about their time working on the show! …
A Sad Ending to the Breonna Taylor Case

A Sad Ending to the Breonna Taylor Case

Officers accused of faking court documents for the “no-knock” warrant leading to Breonna Taylor’s killing have now received good news …
Meagan Good Finally Reveals Wedding Photos to Jonathan Majors

Meagan Good Finally Reveals Wedding Photos to Jonathan Majors

Meagan Good and Jonathan Major wed during a private ceremony in March 2025. And now we’ve got a look at their love-filled day! …
Justin Timberlake’s 2024 DWI Bodycam Is Finally Out, and It’s Hilarious

Justin Timberlake’s 2024 DWI Bodycam Is Finally Out, and It’s Hilarious

Newly released bodycam footage shows Justin Timberlake during his 2024 Hamptons arrest for driving while intoxicated, capturing his interactions with Sag Harbor police and fans’ reactions online …
You Won’t Believe This Black Chicago Mom’s Real-Life Goldilocks Nightmare

You Won’t Believe This Black Chicago Mom’s Real-Life Goldilocks Nightmare

Imagine coming home to strangers naked in your bed. That’s what happened to one Chicago mom, whose nightmare was just getting started …
A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

A Running List of Everything President Trump Is Planning to Name After Himself

From a coin with Trump’s face on it to renaming several buildings in his honor, here’s everything President Trump has named or renamed after himself …
Meet the Trailblazing Black Woman Who Made FaceTime and Zoom Possible

Meet the Trailblazing Black Woman Who Made FaceTime and Zoom Possible

Exclusive: The Root caught up with Dr. Marian Rogers Croak, a trailblazer who leads Google’s work in human-centered AI and machine learning …
Black Americans Have Strong Reactions to Trump's Deployment of ICE Agents at U.S. Airports

Black Americans Have Strong Reactions to Trump’s Deployment of ICE Agents at U.S. Airports

Trump announced ICE agents will be stationed at airports across the country starting on March 23, and you can bet Black folks had plenty of thoughts …
 Doja Cat's Father Blames Her White Mother for 'Deadbeat' Claims

 Doja Cat’s Father Blames Her White Mother for ‘Deadbeat’ Claims

After making allegations about her parent being a deadbeat and trolling him on social media, Doja Cat is now embroiled in a messy back and forth with her own father! …
100 Years After Black Family Is Run Out of White California Town, Their Descendants Claim What's Rightfully Theirs

100 Years After Black Family Is Run Out of White California Town, Their Descendants Claim What’s Rightfully Theirs

Sidney Dearing and his family became the first Black people to ever buy a home in Piedmont, Calif. Then, they were chased out within a year …
All About Nene Leakes Long-Awaited Return

All About Nene Leakes Long-Awaited Return

Nene Leakes in finally heading back to Bravo! And now, the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ alum is sharing her feelings about it …
What We Know About Usher, Justin Bieber’s Confrontation at Beyonce’s Oscar Party

What We Know About Usher, Justin Bieber’s Confrontation at Beyonce’s Oscar Party

Usher was Justin Bieber’s mentor early on in his career, but now it seems like the two may not be in good-standing with each other. Let’s get into it! …
Chadwick Boseman's Widow Shares New Details About the Late Actor's Cancer Journey

Chadwick Boseman’s Widow Shares New Details About the Late Actor’s Cancer Journey

Simone Ledward Boseman is getting candid in a new interview about the late, beloved actor Chadwick Boseman and his health journey …
Black Women Are Being Forced Into C-Sections—With The Court's Backing

Black Women Are Being Forced Into C-Sections—With The Court’s Backing

For Cherise Doyley and Brianna Bennett, the battle for bodily autonomy played out at their hospital bedsides, where virtual court hearings allowed judges to prioritize the perceived health of their unborn children over their right to refuse C-sections …
New Clues To What Jay-Z is Up To

New Clues To What Jay-Z is Up To

After nearly a decade since Jay-Z’s last album, rumors about new music are circulating from fans gearing up for his first performance in years …
Devastating Update for Billion-Dollar Whiskey Brand 'Uncle Nearest' Amid $100 Million Lawsuit

Devastating Update for Billion-Dollar Whiskey Brand ‘Uncle Nearest’ Amid $100 Million Lawsuit

The Black-owned brand was cemented as the fastest growing whiskey company in the U.S. Now, the legacy is at risk …