Dewayne Perkins’ I Swear We’re Friends Is a Love Letter to Television and Black Queer Friendship

More than two decades after Noah’s Arc brought the lives and relationships of Black gay men to the center of a television series, I Swear We’re Friends arrives with a different format and a familiar pleasure: spending time with a group of friends who are funny, complicated and deeply connected to one another. Created by comedian, actor and writer Dewayne Perkins, the six-episode YouTube series follows five Black queer friends navigating life, relationships and the sometimes messy work of being there for each other. Its connection to Noah’s Arc is part of the larger conversation around visibility, but I Swear We’re Friends builds its own identity through comedy, television nostalgia and the chemistry of its ensemble.

Perkins describes the project as a “skitcom,” combining sketch comedy with sitcom storytelling. Each episode takes inspiration from a different television series, shifting its style and tone while keeping the central group intact. The first four episodes draw from Girlfriends, Succession, 24 and My Wife & Kids; the final two take on Charmed and Touched by an Angel. The idea gives the show a playful structure: viewers can recognize the television language being referenced while watching the cast reshape it around their own characters. The result is a comedy that moves between familiar sitcom setups, heightened drama and genre parody, with the affection for its inspirations built into the format.

The ensemble gives that structure its personality. Perkins plays Billy, a whimsical friend who has held on to his youthful spirit. Devere Rogers plays Jacobi, a loyal presence whose chaotic tendencies can test the group’s patience. Brian Jordan Jr.’s Zeke brings another perspective on masculinity and belonging, while Philemon Chambers’ Jonathan is the friend others turn to for support. Cameron J. Ross’ Pierre loves attention and can make things about himself, but remains part of the group’s complicated fabric. These characters are not presented as a single portrait of Black queer life; their different temperaments and imperfections are part of the point. The comedy comes from watching distinct personalities share history, affection and, occasionally, each other’s last nerve.

The Noah’s Arc comparison makes sense because both series put Black gay friendship at the center and allow the characters’ relationships to drive the story. Perkins has spoken about the assumption that Black queer stories are “niche,” and about wanting to make work that does not require its characters to explain themselves to an outside audience. I Swear We’re Friends follows that intention by letting its friends simply exist as friends: they support one another, disagree, act selfishly, show up again and find humor in the process. Daryl Stephens, who starred in Noah’s Arc, also appears among the series’ guest performers, adding a direct link between the two projects.

Perkins’ role behind the camera is central to the series’ independent spirit. He created, wrote and directed all six episodes, and released the project on YouTube rather than waiting for a network or streamer to make it happen. The episodes run roughly six to ten minutes, a choice Perkins has tied to the realities of producing the series himself. That short length means the show works as a quick, concentrated visit with the characters, though it also leaves room to imagine how their friendships might develop across longer episodes. Perkins and members of the cast have voiced interest in expanding the story, but a second season has not been confirmed.

As a first season, I Swear We’re Friends offers a compact, inventive comedy built around a simple but meaningful idea: Black queer men deserve to lead stories that are funny, messy and entertaining without being reduced to a lesson. Its television homages give each episode a fresh frame, while the ensemble keeps the series grounded in friendship. All six episodes are streaming on Dewayne Perkins’ YouTube channel. Watch the official trailer below, then catch up on the series and share your favorite character or episode.