Issa Rae on TV's Struggle in the Streaming Age: "The Pilot Process Is Nonexistent, and I Think We Need It"

As the content landscape rapidly evolves, Issa Rae growing and evolving with it. Having got her start with her YouTube series The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, which premiered in 2011, Rae has long had a knack for creating nuanced, relatable characters and telling captivating stories over well-fleshed-out plot lines. Such unmatched abilities carried over into her debut television series Insecure on HBO five years later, as she created a fictional universe centered around her Los Angeles hometown, inspired by her own friendships and relationships, as well as cultural conversations. The show garnered a cult following, and often prompted discourse among fans — who would tune in every week and share their thoughts in real time via X (formerly Twitter).