TV Show review
Review basis: 5 seasons, 61 episodes · through August 11, 2020
June 21, 2016 · 42 min · TV-14 · Ended
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
Greenleaf is a five-season soap-style drama about the Greenleaf family and their large Memphis megachurch. It centers on scandals, secrets, adultery, greed, sibling rivalry, and a major cover-up of sexual abuse by a family member. Prominent storylines follow Kevin coming out as gay and struggling with church expectations plus Carlton, an openly gay choir director who faces firing after marrying his partner. Creator Craig Wright has spoken about using the show to normalize queerness in Black church settings and examine male power structures.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for Greenleaf.
Woke representation / casting
The show uses a predominantly African-American cast to portray a Black megachurch family and congregation in Memphis, matching the core premise and setting. Oprah Winfrey and OWN highlighted it as an opportunity for authentic representation of African-American families. No race or gender swaps of established characters or obvious quota-style mismatches with the story world.
Woke political dialogue
Characters frequently quote scripture and debate faith, forgiveness, and church leadership amid scandals. Some episodes include sermons or talks on inclusivity and acceptance. Dialogue stays rooted in dramatic personal and family conflict rather than sustained modern activist lectures.
Identity-driven story themes
Significant recurring arcs involve Kevin coming out as gay, conversion therapy attempts, and divorce under church pressure, plus Carlton as an out gay choir director fired for marrying his partner. Creator statements explicitly reference goals of normalizing queerness in Black communities and shifting power away from traditional male authority toward women like Lady Mae.
Western institutional / cultural critique
The series repeatedly depicts megachurch leaders as hypocritical, greedy, and complicit in covering up sexual abuse and misconduct. It questions traditional male dominance and power structures inside the church. Critiques remain focused on this specific religious institution and family dynamics rather than broad attacks on Western society, capitalism, or whiteness.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. This is an original drama series with no source material, established canon characters, or real historical figures being reinterpreted along identity lines.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Some Christian viewers and parents objected to the scandal-heavy, negative portrayals of church leadership, sexual content, and gay storylines as anti-Christian or damaging to faith. Complaints exist but appear limited in scope and mostly framed around traditional religious values rather than explicit accusations of DEI, representation quotas, or left-wing identity politics. No major organized anti-woke campaigns surfaced in coverage.
Creator track record context
Oprah Winfrey has a documented pattern of prioritizing representation of Black families and people of color in her media work. Craig Wright has discussed deliberate creative choices around queerness and male power in the Black church. Directors include figures with queer cinema histories (Gregg Araki, Rose Troche) and feminist/Black cultural focuses (Rachel Raimist cached at 59/100). Other team members show milder or no such patterns.
Production
