After the success of HBO’s Insecure and her Awkward Black Girl web series, star Issa Rae is using her platform to shine a light on other projects from black creatives. Giants, a web series centering on a group of black millenials approaching 30 who are trying to get it together, marks her first collaboration with Empire’s Jussie Smollett.
The first episode is all about the three main characters struggling to pay rent and the toll the stress from that takes on them: Malachi takes part in a Craigslist modeling gig; Journee’s depression renders her useless; and Ade takes on a second job after his father cuts him off financially. You can watch it in its entirety in the video above.
The series was created, written and directed by James Bland, who also stars alongside Vanessa Baden and William Catlett. Bland said the show “explores social issues that are either ignored or stigmatized by the black community” and added that “regardless of race, these characters’ experiences are relatable to almost anyone because they learn the hard way that when life kicks your ass, you either lie down or fight back.”
The show successfully raised more than $11,000 on Indiegogo and premiered on January 25.
(image via screencap)
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