A Television Reckoning…

When They See Us is a 2019 crime drama television miniseries created, co-written, and directed by Ava DuVernay for Netflix, that premiered in four parts on May 31, 2019. It is based on events of the 1989 Central Park jogger case and explores the lives and families of the five Black and Latino male suspects who the media dubbed as the “Central Park Five,” and were falsely accused, and then prosecuted on charges related to the rape and assault of a white woman, Patricia “Trisha” Ellen Meili, in Central Park, New York City.

The series features an ensemble cast, including Jharrel Jerome as Korey Wise, Ethan Herisse as Yusef Salaam, Chris Chalk as adult Yusef Salaam, Marquis Rodriguez as Raymond Santana, Freddy Miyares as adult Raymond Santana, Caleel Harris as Antron McCray, Jovan Adepo as adult Antron McCray, Asante Blackk as Kevin Richardson, Justin Cunningham as adult Kevin Richardson, the “Central Park Five,” and the ensemble cast also includes Michael K. Williams, Joshua Jackson, Blair Underwood, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman as Linda Fairstein, Niecy Nash, Aunjanue Ellis, Marsha Stephanie Blake, and Kylie Bunbury.

When They See Us received critical acclaim, with particular praise for its cast. At the 71st Primetime Emmy Awards, it received 11 nominations; Jerome won for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, while it was nominated for Outstanding Limited Series and Ellis, Nash, Blackk, Leguizamo, Williams, Blake, and Farmiga all received acting nominations. When They See Us set a record for most acting nominations ever for a limited series. The limited series also won the Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Limited Series.

When They See Us is the Featured Television Blog of the Month for October! With the Featured Blog comes a detailed critique of the limited series from Netflix. There is also a detailed recommendation of the series that includes a synopsis that looks at the key themes, stellar performances, direction and cinematography, and impact and social commentary. There is also a detailed review with character comparisons of the series real-life cast ensemble portrayed. For the interview, a companion special, titled Oprah Winfrey Presents When They See Us Now, in which the cast, the creator, and the exonerated five are interviewed, premiered on June 12, 2019, on Netflix and the Oprah Winfrey Network. There is also a Top Ten List at the end of the hunt, and for When They See Us, the list is My Top Ten Crime Drama Series. Last but not least, the Featured Television Blog of the Month includes an Official Trailer for the featured series!

You can watch the When They See Us Official Trailer below: