Diarra from Detroit


Diarra from Detroit is an American mystery dark comedy drama television series created by Diarra Kilpatrick and executive produced by Kilpatrick and Kenya Barris. The series stars Kilpatrick as a divorced schoolteacher who believes that she has been ghosted by her rebound Tinder date. Her search for the missing man pulls her into old mystery involving the Detroit underworld.
The series premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival on June 14, 2023. It premiered on March 21, 2024, on BET+ to positive reviews from critics. In April 2025, the series was renewed for a second season.

Cast and characters

Main

Production

On March 21, 2023, it was announced that BET+ ordered eight-episode straight-to-series project Diarra from Detroit created by Diarra Kilpatrick. The series produced by BET Studios and Khalabo Ink Society. In June, Morris Chestnut, DomiNque Perry, Claudia Logan, Bryan Terrell Clark, Phylicia Rashad, Shannon Wallace and Jon Chaffin have joined the main cast.
Principal photography began in February 2023 in Secaucus, New Jersey and Moonachie, New Jersey.
On April 28, 2025, BET+ renewed the series for a second season.

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 100% based on 13 reviews. Aramide Tinubu from Variety gave it positive review writing: “Diarra From Detroit is multilayered, and might have been a hodgepodge of confusion in less capable hands. However, Kilpatrick and her writers execute the dramedy flawlessly... Diarra From Detroit works because it’s unlike anything seen on television in recent years. As much as the audience wants to know what happened to Chris and whether Diarra misread Francois’ intentions, questions and revelations concerning the cold case also make for a spectacularly paced whodunit, especially as Diarra begins pulling her reluctant friends into her fatigued-fueled shenanigans. Refreshing, captivating and unapologetically Black, the series is about finding the courage to actively participate in your own life even when that means doing the absolute most." Angie Han from The Hollywood Reporter also gave it positive review praising Kilpatrick' performance. Nandini Balial from RogerEbert.com also praised performances, especially from Kilpatrick, Clark, Perry and Logan, writing and creative costumes.

Accolades

AwardYearCategoryNomineeResult
Black Reel Awards2024Outstanding Comedy SeriesDiarra from DetroitNomitated
Black Reel Awards2024Outstanding Lead Performance in a Comedy SeriesDiarra KilpatrickNomitated
Black Reel Awards2024Outstanding Directing in a Comedy SeriesChioke NassorNomitated
Black Reel Awards2024Outstanding Guest Performance in a Comedy SeriesPhylicia RashadWon
Independent Spirit Awards40th [Independent Spirit Awards|2025]Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted SeriesDiarra KilpatrickNomitated
Independent Spirit Awards2025Independent [Spirit Award for Best New Scripted Series|Best New Scripted Series]Diarra from DetroitNomitated
NAACP Image Awards2025Outstanding Writing in a Comedy SeriesDiarra KilpatrickNomitated
NAACP Image Awards2025Outstanding Breakthrough Creative Diarra KilpatrickNomitated