When They See Us (2019)
Ava DuVernay's searing four-part Netflix miniseries chronicles the devastating true story of five Harlem teenagers wrongfully accused of a brutal 1989 Central Park attack.
When They See Us - Series Information
- Original Title: When They See Us
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2019
- Created by: Ava DuVernay
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 4
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: May 31, 2019 (United States - NR), May 31, 2019 (Canada - 18+), May 31, 2019 (United Kingdom - 15), May 31, 2019 (Germany - 16), May 31, 2019 (France - 16), May 31, 2019 (India - A), May 31, 2019 (Australia - MA 15+), May 31, 2019 (Brazil - 16), May 31, 2019 (Mexico - C), May 31, 2019 (Spain - 16)
- Networks: Netflix
- Alternative Titles: when they see us (US), Así nos ven (CO)
- Production Companies: Participant, Harpo Films, Tribeca Productions, Forward Movement, ARRAY Filmworks
- Production Countries: United States of America
When They See Us - Plot
Five teens from Harlem become trapped in a nightmare when they're falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park.
When They See Us - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the story that shook a nation:
What if all boys were created equal?
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When They See Us - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Ava DuVernay
Main Cast
- Asante Blackk
- Jharrel Jerome
- Ethan Herisse
- Marquis Rodriguez
- Caleel Harris
- Marsha Stephanie Blake
- Michael Kenneth Williams
- John Leguizamo
- Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
- Niecy Nash-Betts
Writers
- Ava DuVernay
- Julian Breece
Executive Producers
- Jeff Skoll
- Jane Rosenthal
- Robert De Niro
- Oprah Winfrey
- Ava DuVernay
When They See Us - FAQs
Is When They See Us based on a true story?
Absolutely. The miniseries tells the real story of the Central Park Five — Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise — five Black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted of the 1989 Central Park jogger attack. They were exonerated in 2002 after DNA evidence and a confession from the actual perpetrator.
What happened to Korey Wise after his exoneration?
Korey Wise served the longest sentence of the five, spending nearly 12 years in adult prison. After his exoneration in 2002, he received a $12 million settlement from New York City. He later donated $190,000 to the Innocence Project, which had helped free him, and has become an advocate for wrongfully convicted individuals.
Where can you stream When They See Us?
When They See Us is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. Both options give you access to all four episodes of the limited series.
Did When They See Us win any major awards?
The series earned widespread recognition, including Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series (Jharrel Jerome) and Outstanding Limited Series. It also won multiple NAACP Image Awards and a Peabody Award, cementing its status as one of the most acclaimed limited series of 2019.
Who are the main actors in When They See Us?
The ensemble cast includes Asante Blackk, Jharrel Jerome, Ethan Herisse, Marquis Rodriguez, Caleel Harris, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Michael Kenneth Williams, John Leguizamo, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Niecy Nash-Betts, among others.
How many episodes does When They See Us have?
When They See Us is a limited series consisting of four episodes, all released simultaneously on Netflix on May 31, 2019. Each episode focuses on different phases of the case, from the night of the arrest through the years of wrongful imprisonment and eventual exoneration.
What real-world impact did When They See Us have?
The series sparked significant public outcry and renewed scrutiny of the criminal justice system. It led to calls for the disbarment of prosecutor Linda Fairstein, who subsequently resigned from multiple nonprofit boards. The show reignited national conversations about racial bias, coerced confessions, and systemic injustice in America.
Is When They See Us worth watching?
Without question. Ava DuVernay's direction is visceral and deeply humane, and Jharrel Jerome's Emmy-winning performance as Korey Wise is nothing short of extraordinary. The series is emotionally devastating but essential viewing — a searing portrait of injustice that stays with you long after the final episode ends.
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