She The People is a political and comedy series that premiered on May 22, 2025 and is currently streaming on Netflix. The series was created by Tyler Perry and Niya Palmer and directed by Tyler Perry.
It is rated 18+ and not suitable for viewers younger than 18 because it contains sex scenes and uses adult language.
The Premise
After a successful election, Lieutenant Governor Antoinette Dunkerson steps into office as the first Black Lieutenant Governor of the State of Mississippi, only to face the challenge of serving under a sexist, racist, and condescending governor. At the same time, her family struggles to adapt to life in the public spotlight.
The series comprises a single season with 16 episodes; the first 8 episodes premiered on May 22nd and are currently streaming on Netflix, while the second batch is said to be released on Aug 24th, 2025.
Season 1, Episode 1 – Vote for Me
Antoinette Dunkerson, a candidate for lieutenant governor of Mississippi, was aiming to end her campaign on a strong note—until a video of her teenage daughter, Lola, partying and dancing with boys went viral. This episode runs for 24 minutes.
Season 1, Episode 2 – Every Woman
When Antoinette is ignored by Governor Harper and his staff, her initial enthusiasm for her work soon turns to annoyance.
For lying and going to an adult party without her parents’ knowledge, Lola gets grounded. This episode runs for 25 minutes.
Season 1, Episode 3 – Lay of the Land
Antoinette and her family move into the lieutenant governor’s mansion, only to discover it’s haunted in more ways than one. Amid settling in, Antoinette makes an appearance at the county fair. This episode runs for 24 minutes.
Season 1, Episode 4 – Little White Lies
Antoinette struggles to gain the governor’s attention. Meanwhile, when Lola’s Olympic aspirations begin to clash with reality, the family becomes divided on whether or not to break the news to her. This episode runs for 25 minutes.
Season 1, Episode 5 – Jar of Hearts
After being pushed into yet another disastrous public appearance, Antoinette looks for alternative ways to make a meaningful impact. Meanwhile, her cousin and assistant Shamika confront the governor’s team, determined to stop them from marginalising Lieutenant Governor Antoinette. This episode runs for 24 minutes.
Season 1, Episode 6 – Getting Adjusted
Antoinette finds herself dealing with multiple challenges at once—trying to persuade Governor Harper to reroute the pipeline that runs through three low-income neighbourhoods while also feeling uncertain about how to respond to a love note from Michael, her driver. This episode runs for 24 minutes.
Season 1, Episode 7 – Taking Charge
A group of three pipeline activists put intense pressure on Antoinette, while a conversation with Michael leaves her flustered and emotionally stirred. This episode runs for 25 minutes.
Season 1, Episode 8 – Standing on Business
With her friends and trusted allies rallying behind her, Antoinette risks it all during a tense and high-stakes press conference alongside the governor. This episode runs for 24 minutes.
Cast and Performances
Terri J. Vaughn as Antoinette Dunkerson
Terri J. Vaughn plays the leading role of Antoinette Dunkerson in She The People. She is one of the top contenders for the lieutenant governor position in Mississippi when the show opens.
As the show progresses, she takes on the said role, which comes with struggles of its own. She is fierce yet calculative in handling both racism from the white governor and silly antics from her family.
She balances her political ambition with personal challenges. Vaughn brings depth to her character, and finds different ways to deal with a sexist political landscape and complex family dynamics.
Jade Novah as Shamika Latavia Latoya Farrah Dunkerson
Jade Novah plays Shamika, Antoinette’s cousin and assistant in the show. When it comes to speaking her mind, Shamika does not mince her words.
Her character’s loyalty and boldness adds a dynamic element to the political drama, and Novah’s performance ensures Shamika stands out as both a comedic and strong-willed presence.
Dyon Brooks as Basil
Basil is Shamika’s boyfriend and Antoinette’s interim driver. With charm and subtle humour, his character provides a grounded perspective amidst the political chaos. Brooks’ performance adds a layer of sincerity and warmth to the ensemble cast.
Robert Craighead as Governor Harper
Robert Craighead portrays Governor Harper, Antoinette’s superior. His performance effectively conveys the character’s condescending and sexist demeanour.
Drew Olivia Tillman as Lola Dunkerson
Drew Olivia Tillman takes on the role of Lola, Antoinette’s teenage daughter. While there were issues with the character’s development, Tillman’s performance captures the difficulties of adolescence, contributing to the show’s exploration of family dynamics.
Tré Boyd as Titus Dunkerson
Tré Boyd plays Titus, Antoinette’s son, however, he looks too old to be playing a high school boy. This somewhat made the storyline unbelievable. Despite this, Boyd’s performance adds to the show’s portrayal of a multifaceted family that are dealing with the challenges of public life.
What I Liked About the Series
Cinematography and Sound
The series shines with its cinematography, lighting, and sound. The camera work draws you into the story, the lighting sets the mood perfectly, and the sound, from dialogue to music, makes every scene feel more real and engaging.
Pacing Precision
The story moved at a perfect pace—each episode was concise and purposeful, with no unnecessary scenes. Yet, it still delivered plenty of well-timed humour that kept you laughing and rolling with joy throughout.
Humour-Plot Synergy
While telling a compelling story, the series does an excellent job mixing in humour, keeping you laughing, smiling, and giggling as the narrative unfolds. The plot is golden; I love the aspect of two parties/cultures under the same administrative umbrella.
Positive messages/lessons learnt
The series sheds light on the discrimination and racism faced by Black individuals in positions of authority, exploring how they address these challenges while striving to lead and live their daily lives with dignity and resilience.
When you are in a position of authority and your superiors try to undermine you, take the time to understand the full extent of the power your position holds. Then, surround yourself with trusted allies—people you can rely on—and use that strength to push back and stand your ground.
What Didn’t Work
Plot Inadequacies
I was disappointed by the portrayal of the main character as a poor communicator who comes across as spineless and weak. Throughout the story, she is repeatedly met with resistance from her staff, and instead of standing her ground, she passively accepts their refusals.
This dynamic is emphasised over and over, such as when the butler flatly denies her request to remove the offensive décor—Confederate flag pillows, rugs, and artwork—that dominates the Lieutenant Governor’s residence. This repeated undermining not only diminishes her authority but also weakens her character’s presence in the story.
Character Realism
The portrayal of the kids’ characters could use significant improvement, as they come across as unconvincing. For instance, it’s hard to buy the son, Titus, as a high school student when he looks at least 24 years old—casting him as a second-year college student would have felt much more believable.
His character, portrayed as a nerdy, somewhat meek teen, just doesn’t align with his appearance. The character of Lola, the daughter, also feels overly exaggerated. This makes it difficult to connect with her.
Additionally, neither of the children bears any real resemblance to Antoinette or their on-screen father, Cyrus, which further breaks the illusion of a cohesive family.
Poor Character Development
One of the film’s weakest points lies in its character development. Key characters, especially the children, feel underwritten and unconvincing. Their personalities lack depth, and for that reason, it is hard to connect with them on an emotional level.
Stronger character arcs, deeper emotional layers, and more thoughtful casting could have made these roles far more compelling and believable.
Final Thoughts
Normally, I’m not a fan of Tyler Perry’s movies, as they often rely on clichéd scenes and humour that don’t quite land.
But She The People completely surpassed my expectations. It is a must-watch series. It’s a sharp political drama with genuinely funny moments and is perfect for fans of political comedies.
Rating
I would rate the series a 3 out of 5.
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