When They See Us

When They See Us. It is a four-part Netflix limited series created, co-written, and directed by Ava DuVernay. The series dramatizes the events of the Central Park jogger case in 1989, following the arrest, prosecution, and exoneration of five teenagers from Harlem—Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise—who became known as the Central Park Five. The narrative spans from their initial interrogation to their eventual exoneration in 2002 after Matias Reyes confessed to the crime, and it explores the profound impact of the miscarriage of justice on their lives and families.

Background and case overview

The series is based on the real-life events surrounding the Central Park jogger case of April 19, 1989, where a white female investment banker was brutally assaulted and raped while jogging in Central Park. Under intense public pressure and media frenzy, the New York City Police Department investigated a group of Black and Latino teenagers. The five boys—Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise—were interrogated without proper legal counsel and coerced into giving false confessions. Their prosecution was led by Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau's office, with Linda Fairstein heading the sex crimes unit. The case occurred during a period of high racial tension in New York City and was sensationalized by media figures like Donald Trump, who took out ads calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty. The convictions were vacated in 2002 after Matias Reyes, a convicted serial rapist and murderer, confessed and his DNA matched evidence from the crime scene.

Production and development

Ava DuVernay developed the project after being approached by Raymond Santana, one of the exonerated men. DuVernay collaborated with writers Julian Breece, Robin Swicord, Attica Locke, and Michael Starrbury to craft the screenplay, conducting extensive research including court transcripts and interviews with the men and their families. The production aimed for historical accuracy and emotional authenticity, with Bradford Young serving as cinematographer to create a distinct visual tone. The project was produced by DuVernay's company Array Filmworks alongside Harpo Productions and Tribeca Productions, with financing from Netflix. Key creative decisions included focusing the final episode on the harrowing prison experience of Korey Wise, portrayed by Jharrel Jerome.

Cast and characters

The series features a large ensemble cast portraying the accused teenagers, their families, and key legal figures. The teenage versions of the Central Park Five are played by Asante Blackk (Kevin Richardson), Caleel Harris (Antron McCray), Ethan Herisse (Yusef Salaam), Marquis Rodriguez (Raymond Santana), and Jharrel Jerome (Korey Wise), with Jerome also portraying the adult Wise. Their adult counterparts are played by Justin Cunningham (Raymond Santana), Jovan Adepo (Antron McCray), Chris Chalk (Yusef Salaam), and Freddy Miyares (Kevin Richardson). The family members include Niecy Nash as Dolores Wise, Aunjanue Ellis as Sharone Salaam, and Marsha Stephanie Blake as Linda McCray. Legal and law enforcement figures are portrayed by Vera Farmiga as Elizabeth Lederer, Felicity Huffman as Linda Fairstein, John Leguizamo as Raymond Santana Sr., Michael K. Williams as Bobby McCray, and Joshua Jackson and Famke Janssen as prosecutors Michael Joseph and Nancy Ryan. Blair Underwood appears as Bobby Burns.

Release and reception

When They See Us premiered globally on Netflix on May 31, 2019. It was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its writing, direction, and performances, especially that of Jharrel Jerome. The series sparked significant media discussion and public debate about racial bias in the American criminal justice system. It received numerous accolades, including 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for Jerome. It also won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special and a Peabody Award. The release prompted responses from several real-life figures depicted, most notably Linda Fairstein, who criticized its portrayal and faced professional repercussions.

Impact and legacy

The series had a substantial cultural and social impact, bringing renewed mainstream attention to the case of the Central Park Five—who now often refer to themselves as the Exonerated Five. It intensified scrutiny of the roles of Linda Fairstein and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, leading to Fairstein's resignation from several nonprofit boards and the loss of her book publishing deal. Public discourse expanded to examine contemporary issues of wrongful conviction, coerced confession, and systemic racism within law enforcement. The series is frequently cited in educational and activist contexts concerning criminal justice reform. Furthermore, it cemented Ava DuVernay's reputation for creating socially conscious historical dramas and contributed to the broader success of advocacy-focused documentary and narrative programming on platforms like Netflix.

Category:2019 American television series debuts Category:American biographical drama television series Category:Netflix original programming