The Underground Railroad (2021)
Barry Jenkins' haunting limited series transforms Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel into a visually breathtaking journey through slavery, freedom, and survival.
The Underground Railroad - Series Information
- Original Title: The Underground Railroad
- First Air Year: 2021
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Created by: Barry Jenkins
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 10
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English, Spanish
- First Air Date: May 13, 2021 (United States - TV-MA), May 13, 2021 (Canada - 18+), May 13, 2021 (United Kingdom - 18), May 13, 2021 (Germany - 12), May 13, 2021 (France - 18), May 13, 2021 (Australia - R 18+), May 13, 2021 (Brazil - 16), May 13, 2021 (Mexico - D), May 13, 2021 (Spain - 18)
- Networks: Prime Video
- Production Companies: Plan B Entertainment, Amazon Studios, PASTEL, Big Indie Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: A Estrada Subterrânea (PT), Підпільна залізниця (UA), ทางลับ ทางทาส (TH), 地下鉄道 自由への旅路 (JP), El ferrocarrill subterráneo (ES)
The Underground Railroad - Plot
Follow young Cora's journey as she makes a desperate bid for freedom in the antebellum South. After escaping her Georgia plantation for the rumored Underground Railroad, Cora discovers no mere metaphor, but an actual railroad full of engineers and conductors, and a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the Southern soil.
The Underground Railroad - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Barry Jenkins' extraordinary vision come to life:
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The Underground Railroad - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Barry Jenkins
Main Cast
- Thuso Mbedu
- Chase W. Dillon
- Joel Edgerton
- Sheila Atim
- Kylee D. Allen
- Aaron Pierre
- Ryan James
- Lucius Baston
- Jeff Pope
- William Jackson Harper
Executive Producers
- Dede Gardner
- Mark Ceryak
- Barry Jenkins
- Jeremy Kleiner
- Jacqueline Hoyt
The Underground Railroad - FAQs
Is The Underground Railroad based on a true story?
The series adapts Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. While the characters are fictional, the brutal realities of American slavery depicted are grounded in historical fact. The show's central conceit — a literal underground railroad — is a speculative reimagining of the real-life abolitionist escape network.
Who plays Cora in The Underground Railroad?
South African actress Thuso Mbedu plays Cora Randall, the series' determined young protagonist. Her performance earned widespread critical acclaim and won her a Critics Choice Award, marking a landmark international breakthrough for the actress. Joel Edgerton co-stars as the relentless slave catcher Arnold Ridgeway.
Is The Underground Railroad worth watching?
Absolutely essential viewing. Barry Jenkins crafts one of the most visually stunning and emotionally devastating limited series in recent memory, earning near-universal critical acclaim and a Peabody Award. Thuso Mbedu's performance is extraordinary, and James Laxton's cinematography and Nicholas Britell's score elevate every frame into something deeply cinematic.
Where can you stream The Underground Railroad?
The Underground Railroad is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, including through the Amazon Prime Video with Ads tier. Free ad-supported viewing is also available on Amazon Prime Video Free with Ads and KQED, making the series accessible across multiple viewing options.
Did The Underground Railroad win any awards?
The series earned numerous accolades, including a Peabody Award and a Critics Choice Award for Thuso Mbedu. It received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Directing, with Barry Jenkins recognized for his sweeping visual approach. The show was widely cited on year-end best-of lists for 2021.
What is the literal underground railroad in the series?
In a bold departure from pure historical realism, the series reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual subterranean railway — complete with trains, tunnels, and conductors hidden beneath the Southern soil. This speculative device, drawn from Colson Whitehead's novel, transforms each episode into a distinct chapter as Cora travels through different states and societies.
How was The Underground Railroad received by critics?
Critics were overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with the series holding a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers praised Barry Jenkins' direction, Thuso Mbedu's performance, and James Laxton's luminous cinematography. Many called it one of the finest American television productions in years, noting its rare combination of artistic ambition and emotional power.
What are similar shows to The Underground Railroad?
If The Underground Railroad captivated you, consider The Terror for its atmospheric dread and period detail, Tales from the Loop for its quietly surreal tone, or The OA for its blend of emotional depth and speculative storytelling. Snowpiercer offers another genre-inflected social allegory, while Underground (2016) explores similar historical terrain with a different dramatic energy.
More About The Underground Railroad
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