Harlem

Each character grows more interesting as the series proceeds thanks to strong character development and sharp writing, and the chemistry among the performers becomes the bond that carries the show as the women become entangled in one another’s relationship disasters and work dilemmas.

“Harlem” resonates with fun, heart, verve, and the feeling of togetherness, inherent in both the neighborhood and the Black women it supports.

The new Amazon Prime Video series runs 10 episodes long, but flies by in no time at all. ... “Harlem,” for one, distinguishes itself by featuring an intriguing main lesbian character in Tye, who quickly becomes one of the show’s most compelling thanks to Johnson’s charismatic performance.

Harlem may feel like a show that you’ve seen before, but the four stars are more than charming enough, and the writing is clever enough, to make the show stand on its own.

While some of the storylines over the course of the season are more compelling than others, there’s an unusual but welcome lack of any that fully do not work—and those that work best are truly something special.

The straightforward humor, enviable wardrobes, winks to previous sitcoms and questionable character antics are likely to keep many viewers hooked.

On paper, there's nothing particularly new about "Harlem," which focuses on yet another quartet of 30-something women navigating life and love in the big city. But the execution of this Amazon series from "Girls Trip" writer Tracy Oliver lifts it above the norm, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments -- starting with "Get Out: The Musical" -- to go with the soapier ones about relationships and careers.

The best part about “Harlem” is that cast. Within a handful of episodes, we find Camille, Tye, Quinn and Angie to be every bit as likable and potentially as enduring as Carrie Bradshaw and friends.

The characters are fun to hang out with, and the show makes for a quick and enjoyable binge that doesn’t require too much thought. Harlem isn’t as groundbreaking, tight, or fresh as Insecure was, but perhaps the comparison is incorrect—Harlem isn’t trying to be anything other than another show about young, successful Black women thriving.

With its ten-episode first season, “Harlem” manages to be both a breezy good time for those looking for some romance this holiday season and also a complex character study of four modern Black women chasing their dreams in the city that never sleeps.