From WHYY in Philadelphia, I'm Terry Gross with Fresh Air Weekend.

Today, comic and documentary host W. Kamau Bell talks about directing the Showtime series

We Need to Talk About Cosby, which explores how Bill Cosby became America's dad,

and a hero in black culture, and how that changed when dozens of women came forward

to say he sexually assaulted them.

Bell says the project was challenging because he grew up watching and listening to Cosby

and had thought of him as a role model.

Also, Matthew McFadian talks about co-starring on the HBO series Succession.

He plays Tom Wombsgans, the in-law and the family corporate dynasty, who doesn't get much respect.

He also played Mr. Darcy in the 2005 film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

And Nick Quay reviews the new serial production spot cast The Trojan Horse Affair.

Talking about Bill Cosby is still a third-rail conversation for black people,

according to my guest W. Kamau Bell.

He speaks from experience.

He directed a four-part documentary series called We Need to Talk About Cosby,

that's now on Showtime, the final episode is this Sunday.

The series is about Cosby's importance in American culture, and the special place he held in black culture

is a comic, sitcom, creator and star, educator and philanthropist, and how through much of his career

he was also a serial rapist.

About 60 women have come forward, and there are still more women who are reluctant to come forward.

The series examines Cosby as America's dad, his secret life of drugging and assaulting women,

and how the two timelines coincide.

...