When They See Us (Series)

When They See Us is a four-part American miniseries created by Ava DuVernay and released on Netflix on 31 May 2019. The series tells the true story of five young African American and Latino boys—wrongfully accused and convicted following a 1989 assault in New York’s Central Park—who became known as the Central Park Five.

The series focuses on the wrongful accusation and conviction of five youths—Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Yusef Salaam, Korey Wise, and Raymond Santana—for a crime they did not commit, and the hardships they endured afterward. The narrative is shaped around themes of racial bias in the justice system, media influence, and individual resilience.

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• Director: Ava DuVernay
• Writers: Ava DuVernay, Julian Breece, Robin Swicord, Attica Locke, Michael Starrbury
• Producers: Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, Berry Welsh, Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay
• Director of Photography: Bradford Young
• Music: Kris Bowers
• Production Companies: Harpo Films, Tribeca Productions, ARRAY, Participant Media

• Asante Blackk – Kevin Richardson (Young)
• Justin Cunningham – Kevin Richardson (Adult)
• Caleel Harris – Antron McCray (Young)
• Jovan Adepo – Antron McCray (Adult)
• Ethan Herisse – Yusef Salaam (Young)
• Chris Chalk – Yusef Salaam (Adult)
• Jharrel Jerome – Korey Wise
• Marquis Rodriguez – Raymond Santana (Young)
• Freddy Miyares – Raymond Santana (Adult)
• Marsha Stephanie Blake – Linda McCray
• Kylie Bunbury – Angie Richardson
• Aunjanue Ellis – Sharonne Salaam
• Vera Farmiga – Elizabeth Lederer
• Felicity Huffman – Linda Fairstein
• John Leguizamo – Raymond Santana Sr.
• Niecy Nash – Delores Wise
• Michael K. Williams – Bobby McCray

• Release Date: 31 May 2019
• Number of Episodes: 4
• Episode Duration: 64–88 minutes
• Platform: Netflix
• Genre: Crime, Drama, Biography
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

The series was shot using a single-camera technique, with Bradford Young’s cinematography and Kris Bowers’ score enhancing its dramatic atmosphere. Ava DuVernay’s direction successfully captures the depth of the characters and the emotional intensity of the story.

When They See Us generated significant public response upon its release and sparked important discussions about racial bias within the justice system. The series received widespread critical acclaim and played a vital role in raising awareness about social justice issues.

• Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries (Jharrel Jerome) – Won