Hollywood has long been an industry where Black talent has had to fight twice as hard for half the recognition. The upcoming two-part Apple TV+ documentary, Number One on the Call Sheet, produced by Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat and Jamie Foxx’s Foxxhole Productions, finally gives Black Hollywood the voice and visibility it deserves. With a star-studded lineup, this documentary offers an intimate, raw, and necessary look into the journey of Black actors who have broken barriers while navigating an industry built to keep them out.
Historically, Black actors in Hollywood have been celebrated as icons but rarely heard as individuals. We see them on the big screen, but we don’t always hear the stories of what it took to get there: the struggles, the rejections, and the systemic obstacles that made their success seem impossible. Directed by Reginald Hudlin (Black Leading Men in Hollywood) and Shola Lynch (Black Leading Women in Hollywood), Number One on the Call Sheet brings those voices forward in a way we have never seen before.
Legends like Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, and Angela Bassett sit down to discuss what it means to be at the top in an industry that wasn’t built for them to succeed. They reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and set the stage for the next generation. For Black women in particular, this documentary is a moment of overdue recognition... Halle Berry, Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Tessa Thompson, and more speak on their battles to demand the same level of respect, opportunity, and pay as their white counterparts.
Angela Bassett, Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated Actress, shares, “‘Number One on the Call Sheet’ celebrates the grit, strength and brilliance of those who came before us, while uplifting the next generation. It’s an honor to pay homage to the legends, and shine a light on the limitless possibilities ahead for Black and brown talent.”
Hollywood has always had gatekeepers... executives, casting directors, and producers who control which stories get told and who gets to tell them. This documentary doesn’t just celebrate success; it lays bare the harsh realities of being the “token Black” on set, the unspoken rules that have kept Black actors boxed in, being more than a name, and the resilience required to rewrite those rules.
When Kevin Hart, Jamie Foxx, and Datari Turner came together to create this project, it wasn’t just about reminiscing... it was about educating. Black actors today still face the same coded language, typecasting, and unequal pay that their predecessors did. This film is a testament to their persistence and a reminder that while progress has been made, the fight is far from over.
Black culture and Hollywood are deeply intertwined. From Sidney Poitier breaking barriers in Lilies of the Field to Viola Davis demanding her worth on every set she steps on, Black actors have shaped the industry in ways that are often ignored. Number One on the Call Sheet gives these artists their flowers while they can still smell them.
Representation matters, but authentic storytelling matters even more. This documentary isn’t just for Hollywood insiders; it’s for every Black person who has ever been told they have to be twice as good to get half as far. It’s a lesson in perseverance, a masterclass in overcoming adversity, and a love letter to the resilience of Black creatives.
As we gear up for the premiere on March 28, one thing is clear: Number One on the Call Sheet isn’t just a documentary... it’s a cultural moment. It’s a reminder that Black talent isn’t just present in Hollywood; it’s essential. And now, for once, Black actors are telling their own stories... on their own terms and creating their own spaces to be celebrated.
Will you watch?
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