Ava DuVernay’s miniseries When They See Us is about to bring a notorious wrongful conviction under the spotlight when it’s released on Netflix on Friday.
The four-part series is a retelling of the 1989 case of the Central Park Five and what followed, with a cast that includes Michael K Williams, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo and Felicity Huffman.
With DuVernay on board we’re expecting great things – but just what is the series about?
Here’s what you need to know…
What is When They See Us about?
When They See Us focuses on the case of five teenagers – known as the Central Park Five – who in 1989 were wrongfully convicted of raping a woman, spending between six and 13 years in prison.
They were exonerated in 2002 when a convicted murderer and rapist confessed to the crime – resulting in the five men suing New York City the following year for malicious prosecution, racial discrimination and emotional distress.
‘Based on a true story that gripped the country, When They See Us chronicles the notorious case of five teenagers of color, labelled the Central Park Five, who were convicted of a rape they did not commit,’ the synopsis tells us.
‘The series focuses on the five teenagers from Harlem – Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise. Beginning in the spring of 1989, when the teenagers were first questioned about the incident, the series spans 25 years, highlighting their exoneration in 2002 and the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014.’
Who play the Central Park Five in When They See Us?
The Central Park Five are played by actors Jovan Adepo (Antron McCray), Justin Cunningham (Kevin Richardson), Chris Chalk (Yusef Salaam), Freddy Miyares (Raymond Santana) and Jharrel Jerome (Korey Wise).
When is When They See Us released?
All four episodes of the miniseries are released on Netflix on Friday 31 May.
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