If you’re after a powerful drama, then be sure to watch Netflix’s new Original limited series When They See Us, which is based on a true story that saw five teenagers of colour wrongfully convicted.
Based on a true story that gripped the country, When They See Us will chronicle the notorious case of five teenagers of colour, labelled the Central Park Five, who were convicted of a rape they did not commit. The four part limited series will focus on the five teenagers from Harlem — Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise. Beginning in the spring of 1989, when the teenagers were first questioned about the incident, the series will span 25 years, highlighting their exoneration in 2002 and the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014.
When They See Us was created by Ava DuVernay, who also co-wrote and directed the four parts. Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King from Participant Media, Oprah Winfrey from Harpo Films, and Jane Rosenthal, Berry Welsh and Robert De Niro from Tribeca Productions executive produced the limited series alongside DuVernay through her banner, Array FilmWorks. In addition to DuVernay, Attica Locke, Robin Swicord, Michael Starrbury and Julian Breece also served as writers on the limited series.
“This is one of the most talked-about cases of our time, and Ava’s passionate vision and masterful direction will bring the human stories behind the headlines to life in this series,” Netflix Vice President of Original Content Cindy Holland said in a statement.
The series stars Michael K. Williams (Boardwalk Empire), Vera Farmiga (Bates Motel), John Leguizamo (Moulin Rouge), Felicity Huffman (Desperate Housewives), Niecy Nash (Claws), Blair Underwood (Quantico), Christopher Jackson (Bull), Joshua Jackson (Fringe), Omar J. Dorsey (Queen Sugar), Adepero Oduye (Pariah), Famke Janssen (X-Men), Aurora Perrineau (Equals), William Sadler (Power), Jharrel Jerome (Mr. Mercedes), Jovan Adepo (Fences), Aunjanue Ellis (Quantico), Kylie Bunbury (Pitch), Marsha Stephanie Blake (Orange Is The New Black), Storm Reid (A Wrinkle In Time), Dascha Polanco (Orange Is The New Black), Chris Chalk (Gotham), Freddy Miyares, Justin Cunningham, Ethan Herisse, Caleel Harris (Castle Rock), Marquis Rodriguez (Iron Fist), and Asante Blackk.
The 4-episode miniseries hits Netflix internationally on May 31st.
