Sterling K Brown‘s new period drama Washington Black has been branded a “must-watch” by viewers.
Set in the 19th century, the series follows George Washington ‘Wash’ Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr), an 11-year-old born on a sugar plantation in Barbados.
After witnessing a harrowing death, the child is forced to flee his home, catapulting him into wild adventures across the globe. While on his travels, Wash begins to imagine a new way to live and plans a future beyond the existing confines of society.
The show is based on Esi Edugyan’s novel of the same name, and has been adapted by writer Selwyn Seyfu Hinds.
Lucifer star Tom Ellis plays Christopher ‘Titch’ Wilde, an eccentric inventor and Wash’s travel companion. Meanwhile, executive producer Brown stars as Medwin Harris, a refugee who’s fiercely protective of the Black community in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Disney+
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Washington Black landed on Disney+ on 23 July and has already received high praise from critics and fans alike. The show boasts an impressive 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 23 reviews, with FandomWire calling it a “must-watch”.
“A confident series that manages to be old-fashioned and modern all at once—clear-eyed about historical truths but also full of whimsical dreams that transcend their time,” noted The Daily Beast.
“Overall, the pleasure of watching a show like Washington Black is the mere fact that it exists, rooted in joy, adventure, romance, and self-discovery,” added Collider.
Disney+
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In a recent Instagram post, Brown shared some behind-the-scenes hijinks on set, with a hilarious video of his co-star.
The clip saw Kingsley Jr in costume, seemingly taking a break from shooting as he dozed off. When he realised he was being filmed, the bemused actor shook his head, telling Brown: “You got me”.
Fans were quick to praise the star for his hard work on the show, with one commenting: “I’m watching now episode 5, this young man needed a nap, he acted his butt off.”
“Poor guy, I feel for him, great job, you all can rest for a bit now,” echoed another, while a third added: “Binged the whole thing in one day 😍 loved it 💯”.
Washington Black streams on Disney+ in the UK and on Hulu in the US.
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Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a “telly addict” since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined Digital Spy as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including Metro, Asian World News and TwitCelebGossip; as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV, film and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From soaps to superheroes, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations and up to date information.