‘Washington Black’ Is The Show That Could, Just Like Its Main Character

July 24, 2025

"Washington Black," a 2018 novel by Esi Edugyan about a young enslaved boy's journey to freedom, has been adapted into an eight-episode Hulu miniseries premiering Wednesday, with Sterling K. Brown as both producer and actor. The adaptation follows 11-year-old George Washington "Wash" Black from slavery in 1830s Barbados through adventures across the seas after he flees with Christopher "Titch" Wilde, requiring filming across multiple locations including Nova Scotia, Mexico, and Iceland between 2022 and 2024.

Who is affected

Young actors Ernest Kingsley Jr. and Eddie Karanja who play Washington Black
Sterling K. Brown, who produces and stars as Medwin Harris
Iola Evans (Wash's love interest) and Edward Bluemel (her suitor)
Tom Ellis, who plays Christopher "Titch" Wilde
Charles Dance, who plays James Wilde
Co-showrunners Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and Kim Harrison
Viewers of Hulu who will have access to the miniseries

What action is being taken

The eight-episode miniseries adaptation of "Washington Black" is premiering Wednesday on Hulu
Sterling K. Brown is actively mentoring the inexperienced actors on set
The production team is filming across multiple locations including Nova Scotia, Canada, Mexico, and Iceland
The showrunners are adapting the novel while maintaining the emotional core of the journey
Brown is visiting the set to support and encourage other actors even when not filming his scenes

Why it matters

The series provides representation through a coming-of-age story about a Black boy with big dreams
It tells a story connecting the Caribbean to the overall diaspora, which has been Hinds' desire as a writer
The show portrays "Black boy joy" and hopefulness in overcoming tumultuous circumstances
The adaptation offers the kind of fare that Brown notes has "been reserved for people that don't look like us"
It provides opportunities for new actors like Kingsley Jr. and Karanja to showcase their talents in a major production

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint