Race/Related: Rewatching ‘Mad Men’ from the outskirts
The popular TV show opted for the easy way out with regard to race.
Race/Related
January 23, 2026

As our arts and culture critic Maya Phillips revisits “Mad Men,” she reveals how a series that was known for its sharp scripting, artful acting and attentive wardrobe and set designs applied little of that meticulousness to its Black characters.

A Black woman wearing an apron stares sternly at a white woman who is seen from behind.

AMC

Read more about the Black characters of “Mad Men” here.

EDITORS’ PICKS

A person in a long coat and a scarf walks across a snowy sidewalk near a collection of flowers and stuffed animals.

Federal agents have been carrying out an immigration crackdown in Minnesota for weeks. Some residents say they carry a sense of dread, even on empty streets.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani stands in front of Gracie Mansion, the official mayoral residence, speaking in front of a lectern.

Some Black and Latino leaders in New York worry they are being denied access to power under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, losing ground they gained under Eric Adams.

A school bus reads “Los Angeles Unified School District.”

A decades-old policy meant to combat the harms of school segregation was challenged in federal court this week.

If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for Race/Related from The New York Times.

To stop receiving Race/Related, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

instagramwhatsapp

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018