A sweeping new limited series, “Washington Black”, arrives on Hulu this July, bringing a fresh perspective to the coming-of-age genre. Adapted from Esi Edugyan’s acclaimed novel, the show follows the incredible journey of George Washington “Wash” Black, a boy born into slavery in 19th-century Barbados who ultimately carves out a life of adventure, science, and self-discovery.
Eddie Karanja plays the younger Wash, whose life changes after he catches the attention of Christopher “Titch” Wilde (Tom Ellis), the brother of a plantation owner. Recognizing the boy’s sharp intellect, Titch becomes his mentor. After a tragic incident, the two flee the island, embarking on a globe-trotting quest that brings Wash to new lands and identities.
In a significant expansion from the novel, “Washington Black” features a dual-timeline structure that explores Wash’s formative years alongside his adult life, portrayed by Ernest Kingsley Jr. Now living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, adult Wash finds guidance and community through Medwin Harris, played by Emmy-winner Sterling K. Brown.
Executive producer and showrunner Selwyn Hinds, who joined after Brown had already signed on, explains the dual-timeline decision to Entertainment Weekly: “If we told the story linearly, we wouldn’t meet adult Wash until episode seven.” The new format adds narrative richness, showing both the trauma and triumph of Wash’s transformation.
Hinds, a Caribbean immigrant himself, found personal resonance in Wash’s journey: “I left the Caribbean as a young boy and found my way to agency and manhood through traveling. There was something about that that felt really familiar and personal.”
For Kimberly Ann Harrison, co-showrunner and executive producer, the goal was clear: “I’ve never seen a story told through the eyes of a young enslaved boy who dreams. I have two boys, and the idea of dreaming against all odds spoke to me deeply.”
The expansion of Brown’s role wasn’t a star demand but a storytelling choice. “Sterling’s not the kind of actor who says, ‘Write me a big part,’” says Hinds. “This story is about mentorship—Wash and Titch, and then later, Wash and Medwin. Sterling’s character became the adult counterpoint.”
Brown, who also produces the series, took that mentorship theme off-screen as well. “He really became a mentor to the younger cast,” Hinds recalls. “He didn’t just act—he gave notes, problem-solved, talked budget. He embodied that role.”
Brown himself sees the story as timely, even set in the 1800s. “There’s something beautiful about the question, ‘Who is your brother?’ Black folks, across the diaspora, looking out for each other in a world that often wasn’t kind to us—it’s incredibly moving and still relevant.”
“Washington Black” also highlights Tanna, Wash’s love interest, a biracial woman resisting the life prescribed to her by her aristocratic father. Her journey—like Wash’s—is one of self-definition. “She was raised by a mother who believed in dreaming,” Harrison says. “She’s chasing who she’s meant to be, not who others say she is.”
Sterling K. Brown: A Versatile and Transformative Actor
Sterling K. Brown first gained major recognition for his Emmy-winning performance as Christopher Darden in “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”. He followed that with another Emmy-winning role as Randall Pearson in NBC’s “This Is Us”, where he earned critical acclaim for portraying a Black man navigating identity, family, and mental health.
In 2023, Brown received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for “American Fiction”. He currently stars in and executive produces “Paradise”, a drama series exploring the mystery behind the president dying. “Paradise” is one of the breakout series of 2025, showing how Sterling continues to captivate audiences with his projects.
Known for his thoughtful and commanding presence, Brown is equally powerful behind the scenes, often mentoring younger cast members and shaping the stories he helps tell. With “Washington Black”, he continues this legacy, using his platform to amplify stories of freedom, resilience, and connection. “Washington Black” is streaming on Hulu on July 23. Entertainment Weekly first reported the news.
