The D23 bi-annual convention was filled with tons of exciting news that kept fans on edge buzzing with glee. This weekend at the Anaheim convention we learned that Disney's new streaming service, Disney+ will welcome back a Lizzie McGuire reboot, on the big screen weโll see TโChalla reprise his role as the Black Panther, and new Marvel series, โWhat Ifโ will explore alternate universes.
On Saturday, we were welcomed with the entire โishโ universe together on stage. "black-ish", its college dramedy spin-off, โGrown-ishโ, as well as the newest addition,"mixed-ish".
Michelle Warner from Entertainment Tonight hosted the special reunion where she talked about the upcoming season as well as the importance of the telling of black culture on screen.
"black-ish" fans hyped for the new series โmixed-ishโ premiering September 24th, can follow along as a young Rainbow Johnson (Bow) figures out how to navigate the world as a mixed teen during the 80โs. Bow, portrayed by Golden Globe winner Tracee Ellis Ross says that the representation of black faces is an element that has allowed the show to thrive so much.
โSo much of what we talk about pulls subject matter off of the wallpaper and into our lives."
We look at it through the lens of humanity as opposed to looking at it like a news topic,โ she added.
In the series, we unpack the โcultural identity during the binary world of the 80s.โ
Ross has also taken on the role as executive producer, alongside Anthony Anderson and Laurence Fishburne.
Her role, however, is a bit more expansive as she does make sure to oversee the casting, production, and script which many of her cast-mates praised her for.
In the new show, Tika Sumpter and Mark-Paul Gosselaar are casted as Bows interracial parents who decide to move away from a hippie community and into the suburbs where they debate on if/how they should assimilate with mainstream society.
Like Tracee, Tika Sumpter also commented on the importance having a show that brings about issues of identity.
โI really appreciate this space where Iโm not an appetizer, Iโm a full menu.โ
Newcomer, Arica Himmel, will fill the role of the 12-year old Rainbow, and has described the experience as being a shock. Although she studied compilations of Traceeโs acting, she has to remember that the character is still in an immature state.
โIโm almost blocking out my future. I have to remember that rainbow is different from future rainbowโ because during this time rainbow is trying to figure out who she is. We can expect a lot of fun individuality.
โI was able to add my own elements to the character,โ Himmel adds.
On black-ish this season, we can expect to see a big engagement happening on screen from someone youโd least expect. Pop just may be tying the knot with new character Lanette played by Loretta Devine. Fishburne says that viewers will get a chance to see a different side of the patriarchal figure. Donโt worry too much on what on screen ex-wife Ruby, played by Jenifer Lewis, thinks, however. Although sheโs typically known for trying to shoot her ex-husband (and at one time succeeding) Lewis says that Ruby is all for the union.
โI said Lo! You gotta come on my show and take my mom,โ Jennifer laughed as she recalled her initial conversation asking Loretta to be on the show. The two have known each other since their time on broadway at 19-years-old and we canโt wait to see that on-screen chemistry.
Laurence Fishburne then took a moment to marvel on what this โishโ Universe in actuality means.
โThe stories that he (creator Kenya Barris) wanted to share was something that I was familiar with,โ he said smiling as he looked out at his cast mates.
โItโs really profound that were able to occupy the television landscape with this kind of family. โ
When asking Anthony Anderson what those early stages of conversations about black-ish were like, he simply said that the idea was homegrown.
โWe only dreamt of moments like this,โ Anderson stated.
โWe talked about what was missing from the landscape of television. We put that aside and started talking about our families."
That discussion over the diversity the two experienced being the only black families in the prominent neighborhoods is what led to the creation of "black-ish" .
Those looking forward to seeing season 3 of grown-ish get ready! The "black-ish" spin-off will really highlight the grown in "grown-ish". Yara Shahidi who plays the 19-year old Zoey Johnson says that her time away from on screen parents Rainbow and Dre Johnson has been an experimental experience.
โPlaying a character that is my polar opposite has been really fun as a teenager.โ
Things are expected to โget trippyโ in season 3. We can watch as Zoeyโs on-again, off-again love interest, Aaron, played by Trevor Jackson, tries to become his own man and step into that adult role. We also see as Ana Torres, portrayed by Francia Raisa, plays out a strong character development.
โIโm really proud of the way they wrote my character because it's a different approach than most women would take,โ Raisa said to the D23 crowd.
Weโll hear Torres speak up which is Francia says has important value to her in this climate as a hispanic woman.
Catch "black-ish" returning for season 6 on Tuesday, September 24 in its new 9:30 PM timeslot on ABC. Also, check out "grown-ish" coming back for season 3 on Freeform in January 2020.