Keith Knight’s semi-autobiographical comic-turned-series TV show Woke returns after two years. Lamorne Morris of New Girl fame leads the cast as the cartoonist Keef, who after an unexpected confrontation changes his views on taking a stance for his beliefs in his work. Woke season 2 premiered on Hulu on April 8th, 2022.
Keef Knight keeps his life and work separate, aiming to “keep it light” until he experiences racial injustice firsthand. His perspective irrevocably changed, Keef begins to navigate the controversial waters of making powerful statements in his cartoon work and in his day-to-day life.
Lamorne Morris - Keef
Blake Anderson - Gunther
T. Murph - Clovis
Rose McIver - Adrienne
Sasheer Zamata - Ayana
Aimee Garcia - Laura
While the first season of Woke received some criticism for a bit of a weak approach to discussing racism, its humor and fusion of live-action and animation were praised (plus, you can never go wrong with the charm of Lamorne Morris). The show left off on an uneasy note, with a sort of full circle to the initial inciting incident that leads to Keef picking up life as an activist. Season 2 starts a year later, and Woke's examination of one's connection to an activist lifestyle takes on a new light.
Season 2 definitely seems to take a harder push on Keef for his choices, putting him under the pressures of his activism-focused life while still maintaining the comedic dynamic with his roommates and friends. The conversation of whether he is still keeping things “too light” is broached, pushing Keef into the need to find a better understanding of how to communicate about the issues he wants to address. It’s a tough balance to maintain, but its focus on performative activism makes for an extra layer of complexity on a show that seems genuinely interested in discovering how to illuminate one’s journey to inspire change.
Watch all of Woke Season 2 now on Hulu!