Diahann Carroll as Julia

Hey y’all! If you’ve been following me for a while, then you’ll remember that I did a series of illustrations for Black History Month in 2017. I decided to reshare them this year because it’s always fun to share info about historical figures! I’m also sharing extra stuff with each post, so it’ll be a fun time.

My first illustration is of Diahann Carroll in the tv show Julia (1968-1971). She was the first Black actress to star in her own TV series where she didn't play a domestic worker. She was a young widow raising a 5 year old son in a nice apartment while working as a nurse.

It was a hit, and Diahann Carroll won a Golden Globe Award for best actress in a comedy in its first season. However, there was a lot of critique surrounding the show. Some critics insisted that it sacrificed an authentic Black experience to gain viewers. Some critics said there was no racial consciousness within the show. Carroll herself said that “everyone and everything in the script were warm and genteel and ‘nice’ - even the racial jokes.”

On set, Diahann Carroll fought for change within the show. She opposed certain scenes, especially one where Julia said she didn’t experience racism until her high school prom. Carroll felt so strongly that she left the TV lot on the day of the taping. She also wanted Julia to wear an afro, but that idea was rejected.

The criticism surrounding the show actually sent Carroll to the hospital twice with stress related symptoms. Even though she had little involvement in the writing, she felt pressured to justify it.

In 1970, the pressure of the show’s impact took a toll on Carroll, and she asked to be released from her contract at the end of the third season.

Overall, Julia was a big step in broadcast history and is still viewed as such. The show is featured in an exhibition at the NMAAHC, so if you’re there, check it out.

My Julia illustration is available for purchase here as a signed print and here as a framed print.

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