We’re just trying to convey that people of color are relatable. This is not a hood story. This is about regular people living life.
In 2013, Rae began working on a comedy series pilot (in which she would star) along with Larry Wilmore. The show was planned to be about the awkward experiences of a contemporary African-American woman; the pair eventually settled on the current title of Insecure. HBO picked up the pilot in early 2015, and it was subsequently greenlit for production.
At HBO's 2016 Television Critics Association session, which featured Rae, showrunner Prentice Penny, and executive Producer Melina Matsoukas, Rae explained that the series will examine "the complexities of 'blackness' and the reality that you can’t escape being black." Rae also said, in regard to the potential mainstream reaction to the series:
Since its release, the series has gone on to receive critical acclaim. In 2017, the American Film Institute selected it as one of the top 10 television series of the year. For her performance in Insecure, Rae has earned two Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy, in 2017 and 2018.
