Actress Patrice Goodman discusses first Canadian Black family comedy ‘Overlord and the Underwoods’

During Black History Month, a Canadian television sitcom is making history as the first Black family comedy in the country.

Overlord and the Underwoods tells the story of Overlord, who is the second most-wanted villain in the universe and is sent to live with his distant human cousin on Earth after ratting out his boss, the evil Mega-Lord Supreme.

“He ends up becoming the worst house guest in the galaxy,” said Patrice Goodman, who stars as one of the parents in the show.

Goodman and Darryl Hinds play the parents, and Ari Resnick and Kamaia Fairburn are their children.

Jayne Eastwood acts as their neighbour and Jann Arden is the voice of R0-FL, Overlord’s droid sidekick.

“While the series features a Black family at the centre, it’s not focused on their Blackness or Black issues or trauma,” Goodman said. “It’s about joy and regular family dynamics, and normalizes the fact that Black families have conversations that all families have.”

Goodman is a BIPOC Canadian award-winning actress. On top of playing the lead role in Overlord and the Underwoods, she also has a recurring role in the popular Netflix show Umbrella Academy. Other upcoming roles include a guest-starring role in the CBS series In the Dark and supporting roles in two Lifetime movies.

Overlord and the Underwoods is currently airing in the US, UK and coming to Australia soon.

The second half of the season is now airing on CBC Gem.