The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has announced the winners of its 7th Annual TV Honors, alongside its 2025 Top Ten Television list and this year’s Special Achievement honourees. The awards ceremony will take place on 23 August 2025 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
The winners, selected by the AAFCA membership, span drama, comedy, documentary and reality programming, recognising work across traditional and streaming platforms.
Winners include Paradise (Hulu) for Best Drama, Harlem (Amazon Prime) for Best Comedy, and Forever (Netflix), which won Best Writing, Best Direction (Anthony Hemingway, Thembi Banks, Mara Brock Akil and Regina King), and Best New Show. Sterling K. Brown was named Best Actor for Paradise, with Kathy Bates winning Best Actress for her role in Matlock (CBS). Skye P. Marshall was awarded Breakthrough Talent for her performance in Matlock.
Other category winners include Number One on the Callsheet (Apple TV+) for Best Documentary, Gen Zone (BET+) for Best Reality, The Big Cigar (Apple TV+) for Best Limited Series, and The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat (Hulu) for Best TV Movie. Best Ensemble went to Bel-Air (Peacock).
The AAFCA’s annual Top Ten Television Programmes of the Year are:
Forever (Netflix)
Paradise (Hulu)
Cross (Amazon Prime)
Harlem (Amazon Prime)
Bel-Air (Peacock)
Power Book: Raising Kanan (Starz)
Dope Thief (Apple TV+)
The Bear (Hulu)
The Chi (Paramount+ with Showtime)
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
In addition to the awards, the organisation announced seven Special Achievement honourees, selected by the AAFCA TV Honors committee for their contributions to the television and streaming industries.
Keith Le Goy, Chairman of Sony Pictures Television, will receive the TV Vanguard Award. Ayo Davis, President of Disney Branded Television, is the recipient of the Salute to Excellence Award. Tina Perry, President of OWN TV, will receive the Visionary Award for her leadership at the network.
Mara Brock Akil, known for series such as Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane and the newly released Forever, will receive the Legacy Award. Michelle Buteau, comedian and actress, receives the Trailblazer Award, following her 2024 film Babesand Netflix adaptation of her memoir Survival of the Thickest.
Director and producer Nneka Onuorah is the recipient of the 2025 Horizon Award. Her work includes Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls and Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Own Words. Denise Nicholas, known for her roles in Room 222 and In the Heat of the Night, will be presented with the 2025 TV Icon Award. In addition to her acting career, Nicholas is the author of the novel Freshwater Road.
Now in its seventh year, the AAFCA TV Honors aims to highlight achievements across television genres, with a focus on diverse storytelling and creative leadership.
