In Beauty in Black, the Bellaries have it all. They’re the founders of a successful hair-care dynasty, the titular Beauty in Black, and one of Chicago’s most prominent families — but as the old adage goes, the more money they come across, the more problems they see.
In reality, this seemingly perfect family is simply an illusion built on a foundation of deception, greed, secrets, and lies. They’re also the purveyors of an underground trafficking ring, all filtered through the less-than-legit business at Delinda’s Dolls and Dudes, an all-gender strip club that serves as the front for the shadiest of their endeavors.
Season 2 Part 2 of Beauty in Black is now streaming. Read on to refamiliarize yourself with the major players — and find out who’s coming out ahead in their quest for the power that comes with being a Bellarie.
Exotic dancer Kimmie has aspirations to become a successful entrepreneur just like her hero, Beauty in Black’s Mallory. But when the two women’s lives unexpectedly become intertwined, Kimmie’s life is set on a course she never would have expected. She returns in Part 2 as HBIC — Head Bellarie in Charge — of her now-husband Horace’s empire. “Kimmie wants to be seen as legitimate,” Williams previously told Tudum. “She is done proving she belongs, and she’s claiming her place.”
Divorce in the Black, Snowfall
Kimmie’s longtime best friend, Rain, is more like a sister to her. They’ve survived tough times by sticking together and are always there for one another — until an accident leaves Rain’s life hanging in the balance. Now she’s on the other side of healing, thanks to Horace’s life-saving efforts. She also develops a tentative friendship with Officer Alex, who shows up for her in a time of crisis.
Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip, Bruh, The Oval
Just like Kimmie and Rain, Angel has managed to survive by never stopping his hustle. The trio have known each other since they were young, and all work together at the club. Angel gets pulled into the Bellarie family orbit when he enlists Kimmie’s help with a client, Horace, who takes a liking to the services he provides.
Madea’s Destination Wedding
Kimmie doesn’t play about protecting her little sister, Sylvie. When Sylvie gets kidnapped and trafficked through the club, Kimmie makes sure her marriage to Horace helps shield her little sister from any more harm.
BMF, First Wives Club
Entrepreneur Mallory wasn’t born with a silver spoon in her mouth, but after marrying Bellarie son Roy, she’s become the face of the Beauty in Black brand — and wields all the power that comes with being a Bellarie. She doesn’t take kindly to anyone trying to take her crown: “You definitely see a different side of Mallory in Part 2,” Stewart previously told Tudum. “A more strategic, emotionally layered version of her.”
For Better or Worse, Acrimony, Good Deeds, Too Close to Home, House of Payne
Family patriarch Horace started the Beauty in Black brand and is at the center of its orbit — which means he holds the purse strings. The rest of the Bellaries are forced to fall in line behind him, whether they agree with his decisions or not.
Bosch: Legacy, Aliens, P-Valley
Horace’s ex-wife is the mother of his two sons and still has a hand in the family business, though she wields far less power than she believes.
Eve’s Bayou, Love & Basketball, Beauty in the Black, Power
Horace’s brother wants a piece of the pie, but he’s made his money in a much shadier (and less legal) way than his brother.
For Colored Girls, Divorce in the Black, House of Payne
One of Horace’s two sons, Charles is a frequent client of the Bellaries’ seedier venture and spends his time partying rather than helping out with the family business. Part 2 sees him picking up the pieces, literally, of the robbers who tried to steal from him at the end of Part 1.
Ruthless, Watchmen, Genius: Aretha
Mallory’s husband has a hand in the family business, and is always seeking approval from his father. He copes with marital issues by being unfaithful to his powerful wife.
Bruh, Tough Love: Atlanta
The Bellarie family’s head of security knows where all the bodies are buried, both metaphorically and literally.
If Loving You is Wrong, Empire, Atlanta, Behind Enemy Lines, The Temptations
Attorney Varney, as the Bellaries refer to their loyal legal counsel, has hidden allegiances within the Bellarie organization that some family members don’t even know about. Roy, upon learning of Varney’s secret relationship with his brother, Charles, seeks to blackmail the family attorney to his advantage in Part 2.
What’s Done in the Dark, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Meet the Browns, Madea’s Class Reunion
A Chicago cop, Officer Alex is on the Bellarie family payroll, but his loyalties don’t necessarily lie with the person signing his paychecks. He and Rain form a cautious truce in Season 2.
La La Land
Beauty in Black Season 2 is out Sept. 11 on Netflix.
