White Leisure, Black Labour, and Global Afro-Diasporic Entanglements in the Streaming Era: A Case Study of Sam: Ein Sachse.

This article analyzes *Sam: Ein Sachse* (Sam: A Saxon), a 2023 Disney+ miniseries based on the biography of Samuel Meffire, a Black German public figure from Dresden, focusing on how the series’ Disney+ branding shapes its portrayal of racism and identity in post-reunification Germany. While the show highlights structural racism in both East and West Germany during the 1980s and 1990s and incorporates Black German creators and historical context, it ultimately frames racism as an individual problem, emphasizing personal resilience and responsibility over systemic critique. The series employs Disneyfication—sentimental storytelling, hopeful closure, and familiar character tropes—that simplifies complex racial and political realities to fit market demands and brand futurity, thereby limiting its political impact. The article underscores the tension between progressive representation on global streaming platforms and the constraints imposed by corporate branding, advocating for more nuanced, community-centered Black German narratives beyond mainstream formats.