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Just last year, Edward Bluemel was seen co-leading the since-cancelled My Lady Jane as Lord Guildford Dudley. Now, the English actor is back in another small-screen project released last month and titled Washington Black. Washington Black is an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name by Canadian novelist Esi Edugyan, which follows the adventurous journey of the title character. Since its release, the miniseries has garnered widespread critical acclaim, earning a majestic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which has now been crushed by its far underwhelming audience score.

Washington Black currently holds an 88% critics’ rating on the review aggregator website based on 32 reviews, only four of which are rotten. On the other hand, its Popcornmeter score is 57% from over fifty ratings, some of which disapprove of the show's screenplay. Nevertheless, Carly Lane in her review for Collider noted that the show’s success “can largely be attributed to the impressive cast,...

Exclusive: In one of the biggest star-power packages to hit the TV marketplace in awhile, Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown, Oscar winner Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Black Panther‘s Winston Duke are in talks to lead a limited series based on Percival Everett’s acclaimed 2022 novel The Trees. Marcus Gardley (The Chi) is writing the adaptation, which has sparked a bidding war, sources tell Deadline.

Gardley is executive producing alongside Brown and Abby Victor for Indian Meadows, Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and Katie Zucker via Mad Massive Entertainment, and Everett. UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

Everett’s The Trees is a fast-paced thriller that tackles racism and police violence. It opens with a series of brutal murders in the rural town of Money, Ms. When a pair of detectives from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation arrive, they meet expected resistance from the local sheriff, his deputy,...

“Washington Black,” Hulu’s action-packed odyssey that’s based on Esi Edugyan’s fictional 2018 novel of the same name, has officially landed. And we have all the details about how to tune in.

The limited series, which follows a young, Black inventor’s journey through self-discovery, is executive produced by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, Kimberly Ann Harrison, and Sterling K. Brown. Seyfu and Harrison also serve as the series’s showrunners

TheWrap previously reported the news about the show’s production back in 2021. Check out the how to watch details below.

When does “Washington Black” premiere?

“Washington Black” premiered on Hulu on July 23.

How many episodes are there?

There are eight episodes in the “Washington Black” miniseries, and all of them landed on Hulu when the show premiered on July 23.

Are more episodes on the way?

“Washington Black” followed the binge-release model, so all episodes are now available — and it’s...

“Washington Black” boasts a cast filled with fresh and familiar faces for Hulu’s newest adventure series.

Taking place in the 19th century, “Washington Black” follows the story of a young Black inventor who journeys across the world as he learns more about himself and his passions for creation. The miniseries is based on Esi Edugyan’s 2018 novel of the same name, which is executive produced by Sterling K. Brown and the showrunners Selwyn Hinds and Kim Harrison.

“Washington Black” landed on Hulu with all eight episodes on Wednesday. Check out the cast below.

Ernest Kingsley Jr. in “Washington Black” (Hulu) Ernest Kingsley Jr. as Washington “Wash” Black

Ernest Kingsley plays the older version of Washington “Wash” Black, a brilliant inventor whose passions for science, creation and discovery trace back to his youth. But he’s on the run from slave bounty hunters who are hunting him down for a crime he didn’t commit.

Ernest Kingsley Jr. was barely out of drama school before getting cast as the lead in Hulu’s “Washington Black.”

The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama student was performing in a 2021 production of “Is God Is” in London while taking Zoom auditions from the dressing rooms, culminating in his first TV lead.

“Luckily, the wifi was great,” he told IndieWire with a chuckle (back on Zoom). “My one worry was the chemistry read with Iola Evans, who plays Tanna really beautifully. One time, we were doing the chemistry read, and my brother tried to come into the room. He opened the door during the scene, and I just had to…” — he mimed holding the door shut while staying in the scene — “‘Tanna, I love you so much.’ I was just like ‘Not happening, not today. My life is on the line.'”

Soon enough, Kingsley set off on...

Hulu's new period fantasy Washington Blackis already leaving its mark on the streaming charts after just one day.

Per FlixPatrol, Washington Black has already begun making its way up the streaming charts within just a single day of its premiere on Hulu. As of the time of writing, Washington Black stands at number seven on the chart of the top streaming series on the platform, while it has broken through to the fifteenth spot on the list of top streaming programs overall, sitting just behind the fan-favorite Lego Masters series.

Based on Esi Edugyan's 2018 novel of the same name, Washington Black stars Ernest Kingsley Jr. as the titular George Washington "Wash" Black in his adult years, while Eddie Karanja portrays the character in his childhood. The story begins in Barbados, where Wash grows up as a slave and eventually escapes following a tragic death that he himself would...

Washington Black is now officially streaming on Hulu, and the historical drama has already earned an impressively high Rotten Tomatoes score. The limited series, developed by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and based on the book of the same name by Esi Edugyan, follows George Washington "Wash" Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr.), an escaped Barbados slave with a cleverly scientific mind.

Hulu's Washington Black debuted today, July 23, 2025, with a perfect, 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. This is based on a total of nine reviews, so the score is guaranteed to change in the coming days. Currently, there is no available audience score for Washington Black, since there are still fewer than 50 ratings. Regardless, this limited series is off to an optimistic start.

What Washington Black's Perfect Rt Score Means For The Series This Doesn't Mean Washington Black Is Without Flaws

Debuting with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score is rare, so this is...

In its substantial heart, “Washington Black” is a simple coming-of-age story about a boy learning to navigate an adulthood filled with drawbacks. Although the Hulu adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s award-winning novel can fly off-course — suffering most from modern television’s penchant for juggling multiple timelines at once, chronology and coherence be damned — the first four episodes (of eight total) nurture their core premise well enough to instill warm, honest reassurances in its young audience, while offering an affable adventure made all the more pleasant thanks to a game cast and curious spirit.

The bluntly named George Washington Black, played as an 11-year-old by Eddie Karanja, is a scientific prodigy. He can look at a machine and intuitively understand how it works — and how to fix it. When “Wash” repairs a 19th-century battery, pilot director Wanuri Kahiu visualizes Wash’s imagination, briefly showing the inner workings to the audience just...

Tom Ellis is known for his titular role in Fox's fantasy crime series Lucifer. Shortly after the series concluded on Sept. 10, 2021, he scored his first role in Hulu's historical drama Washington Black.

The historical limited series, which debuted on the platform on Jul. 23, has been in development for several years. Based on Esi Edugyan's novel of the same name, 20th Television purchased the rights in Mar. 2019, and This Is Us and Paradise star Sterling K. Brown joined the project as a star and producer in Sept. 2019, with Ellis joining the series in Feb. 2022. It looks like the wait has paid off because Washington Black debuted with a perfect 100% score from the critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Washington Black has just premiered on Hulu and currently boasts only nine reviews from the critics, but they're all positive. While the score might fluctuate as more reviews, the series is off to a great start,...

Note: This story contains spoilers from “Washington Black.”

“Washington Black” stars Ernest Kingsley Junior and Sterling K. Brown said their new Hulu series, which is based on Esi Edugyan’s fictional 2018 novel about a young, Black inventor’s journey through self-discovery, spotlights the history of Black inventors’ work being overlooked and/or credited as white inventions.

“There are so many inventions that we’ve done and accomplished that aren’t recognized, and I feel like recognition and visibility is so important, especially in the Black community,” Kingsley told TheWrap.

“They will have you think that white people made everything,” Brown added, who stars as Medwin Harris, Wash’s confidant and the caretaker of Black residents in a Nova Scotia community.

Ernest Kingsley Junior in “Washington Black”, he’s assigned to serve as his apprentice, expanding Wash’s passions and desires for the world of science and creation. Over time, Wash...

In 2012, Selwyn Seyfu Hinds wrote a supernatural comic book, Dominique Laveau: Voodoo Child, published by Vertigo Comics. Then in 2019, he wrote an episode of Jordan Peele’s Twilight Zone. Fast forward to the present day, where he is the creator and showrunner of the Hulu original series, Washington Black. The series is based on Esi Edugyan’s best-selling novel of the same name. Academy Award and Emmy Award-nominated actor Sterling K. Brown leads the series as Medwin Harris.

Washington Black follows the 19th-century journey of George Washington Black, an 11-year-old boy born on a sugar plantation whose scientific mind sends him on an unexpected destiny. When an incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into an adventure that will challenge and reshape his idea of family, freedom, and love. Upon charting new waters, Wash finds the courage to imagine beyond what society has in store for him.

Washington Black...

Washington Black is all set to bring the Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning novel by Esi Edugyan to life, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. It is said to be an eight-episode series adaptation for Hulu. The series will be a blend of historical drama, adventure, and emotional depth, and offers viewers a deep set narrative into the early 19th century.

The show will be set with globe-spanning visuals, dual timeline, structure, and stellar performances. It is quickly shaping up to be one of the most talked-about shows coming this summer. Here’s everything we know so far about its cost, plot, release date, and other important information.

Washington Black: Release Date for the Hulu Mini-Series

All eight episodes of season 1 for Washington Black will be released at the same time on July 23, 2025, on Hulu, along with Disney+ broadcasting the series internationally on the same day. The global launch approach underlines the importance of adaptation.

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Hulu is ready with an entertainment-packed July this year. While we already know all the brilliant films that will be leaving Hulu in the upcoming month, we will also see the premiere of the highly anticipated upcoming season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and the streaming release of Rami Malek‘s spy action thriller film The Amateur. Just like every month, Hulu is ready to overload you with great content. So, we’re here to tell you about the 12 new movies and TV shows coming to Hulu in July 2025.

Dan Da Dan Season 2 English Sub & Dub (July 3) Credit – Yukinobu Tatsu/Shueisha, Dandadan Production Committee

Dan Da Dan is a Japanese teen sci-fi fantasy anime series. Based on the Japanese manga series of the same name by Yukinobu Tatsu, the upcoming Season 2 of the anime series will continue...

A new Hulu series is coming this summer, and it brings a powerful and emotional story to the screen. Washington Black, based on the novel by Esi Edugyan, premieres on July 23, 2025. Hulu dropped the official trailer recently, giving viewers their first real look at what to expect.

The show follows a young boy named George Washington “Wash” Black. After a tragic event on a sugar plantation in Barbados, Wash escapes and begins a new journey. He ends up in the care of Medwin Harris, a man with a painful past of his own. Wash is played by Ernest Kingsley Jr., while Medwin is played by This Is Us star Sterling K. Brown.

Set in the early 1800s, the series moves between Barbados and Nova Scotia. As Wash tries to survive and find a place where he belongs, his bond with Medwin becomes central to the story. The show also dives into Medwin’s childhood,...

The new Hulu series Washington Black is set to arrive on July 23, 2025. This show is based on the book by Esi Edugyan and tells a powerful story set in the early 1800s.

The story takes place in Barbados and Nova Scotia and follows a young boy named George Washington ‘Wash’ Black, played by Ernest Kingsley Jr. When a sudden death happens on his family’s sugar plantation in Barbados, Wash is forced to run away. He ends up under the care of Medwin Harris, a character played by Sterling K. Brown, who has his own difficult past as a Black refugee in Nova Scotia.

Hulu has recently released the trailer ahead of the show’s release:

The cast also includes Eddie Katanga as the younger version of Washington Black, Tom Ellis as Christopher ‘Titch’ Wilde, and Iola Evans as Tanna Goff. Other actors like Julian Rhind-Tutt, Billy Boyd, and Charles Dance...

Hulu has released the official trailer for its latest limited series, “Washington Black,” starring Ernest Kingsley Jr. and Sterling K. Brown The eight-episode series is set to release on July 23 on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

The series, based on Esi Edugyan’s best selling novel of the same name, follows George Washington “Wash” Black, an 11-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny in the 19th century. After an accident forces him to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom and love. As Wash begins to navigate his journey into uncharted lands and impossible odds, he finds the courage to imagine a future beyond the confines of the society he was born into.

Additional cast members for “Washington Black” include Tom Ellis, Rupert Graves,...

Following the success of Hulu’s political thriller, Paradise, leading man Sterling K. Brown is back in another grand project from the streamer, promising adventure and excitement like no other. Titled Washington Black, the upcoming series was given the green light in October 2021 with Brown attached as an executive producer. It is an adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s bestselling book of the same name, and Hulu has at last provided an official trailer, giving viewers a glimpse of the chaos and triumph to come.

In the trailer, Brown can be heard introducing the story of “a young man and the boy he used to be,” referring to the titular character, George Washington “Wash” Black. The actor was last seen in Dan Fogelman’s 87% Rotten Tomatoes post-apocalyptic series that has since scored a Season 2 renewal. In addition to Brown, the Washington Black clip below features appearances from co-stars Ernest Kinglsey Jr.

Sterling K. Brown is deepening his roots at Hulu. After starring in the iconic ABC series “This Is Us” (and later reteaming with creator Dan Fogelman for “Paradise”), the Emmy winner and Oscar nominee is back at the streamer with the novel adaptation of “Washington Black.”

Brown stars in and executive produces the series based on Esi Edugyan’s bestselling novel of the same name about a young boy who leaves a plantation in the 1800s and embarks on an adventure around the world. The official synopsis reads: “‘Washington Black’ follows the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington ‘Wash’ Black, an eleven-year-old boy (Ernest Kingsley Jr.) born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny. When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom, and love. As...

Sterling K. Brown is starring in another Hulu series where the world isn’t exactly as it seems.

Washington Black, set for release on July 23, is an adaptation of Canadian author Esi Edugyan’s 2018 novel which follows the life of an 11-year-old George Washington Black after a life-threatening incident forces him to flee from the sugar plantation in Barbados where he was born. Good fortune and a natural curiosity in the sciences lead Washington on a journey around the globe where he forms a new understanding of his past and is able to dream unimaginable possibilities for his future as a Black man in the 19th century.

In the series (which now has a trailer, below), young Washington is played by Eddie Karanja (The Sandman, Jack and the Beanstalk) and adult Washington, also known as “Wash,” by Ernest Kingley Jr. (The Sandman, War of the Worlds). Tom Ellis (Lucifer) portrays Christopher “Titch” Wilde,...

Hulu has released the first trailer for Washington Black, its upcoming limited series based on Esi Edugyan’s bestselling novel, starring and executive produced by Sterling K. Brown.

Washington Black follows the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington “Wash” Black, an eleven-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny. When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom and love.As he navigates uncharted lands and impossible odds, Wash finds the courage to imagine a future beyond the confines of the society he was born into.

In addition to Brown, Ernest Kingsley Jr., Rupert Graves, Iola Evans, Edward Bluemel, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Eddie Karanja and Tom Ellis also star.

Washington Black is produced by 20th Television Production in association with Indian Meadows Productions and The...

Hulu has debuted the official trailer and key art for the limited series Washington Black, starring and executive produced by Sterling K. Brown.

All eight episodes of Washington Black premiere on July 23, 2025, on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, Washington Black follows the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington “Wash” Black, an eleven-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny.

When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom, and love. As he navigates uncharted lands and impossible odds, Wash finds the courage to imagine a future beyond the confines of the society he was born into.

The series stars Ernest Kingsley Jr., Rupert Graves, Iola Evans, Edward Bluemel, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Eddie Karanja,...

2025 is flying by — just ask our lists of the best movies and television of the year so far — and it is (somehow) now July. While networks take a break from much of their narrative programming and Emmy voters get to voting, streaming services like Hulu and Disney+ keep churning out content, from newly acquired titles to original films and series and family-friendly programming for those entertaining kids during summer vacation.

As always, we’ve put all of the month’s new Hulu and Disney+ titles in one handy list, including our top pick to watch in July.

Top Pick: “Washington Black” (Hulu)

George Washington “Wash” Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr.) is a young science prodigy — and also a Black boy born on a sugar plantation in the 19th century. When circumstances force him to flee his home country of Barbados, he ends up on a whirlwind and worldwide adventure that will change him forever.

Sterling K. Brown is back on Hulu, but Paradise season 2 isn’t back yet. The This Is Us actor is producing and acting in an adaptation of Washington Black, which premieres on July 23 on Hulu. The Emmy-winning star plays a supporting role in the upcoming drama, which is based on the Esi Edugyan Booker Prize shortlisted book of the same name.

Washington Black follows the titular Barbados-born George Washington Black (Eddie Karanja), who is enslaved as working in the field. Wash becomes fascinated with science, which captures the attention of the sugar plantation owner's brother, Christopher "Titch" Wilde (Lucifer’s Tom Ellis). Titch starts to mentor George, recruiting him to help with his research and the pair travel the world together.

2025 Disney Upfront | John Nacion/GettyImages Sterling K. Brown’s mentorship role was on and off the screen

Sterling K. Brown will play town leader Medwin Harris, who takes Washington...

Hulu has set a July premiere date for Washington Black, the Sterling K. Brown-fronted adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s novel. The series, which received a straight-to-series order, will launch with all eight episodes on Wednesday, July 23 on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

Based on the bestselling novel of the same name, Washington Black follows the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington “Wash” Black, an eleven-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny. When a harrowing incident forces Wash to flee, he is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom and love. As he navigates uncharted lands and impossible odds, Wash finds the courage to imagine a future beyond the confines of the society he was born into.

Brown stars and executive produces the series. Also starring are Ernest Kingsley Jr.

Exclusive: 3Point0 Labs has signed African comic book publisher and animation company Comic Republic for representation in all areas.

Nigeria-based Comic Republic, set up in 2013 by Jide Martin focuses on digital creation and distribution of original African comic books. Most of its content is inspired by African history and myths, and visions of the continent’s future.

The firm has a library of around 200 characters and is in development on a Vanguards Universe at Universal Content Productions (UCP). This hands the NBCUniversal company access to 14 characters, including Age, Metalla and Sango, with Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, known fort Hulu’s Washington Black, and his UCP-based Mad Massive Entertainment overseeing development for the U.S. studio.

3Point0 Labs will help Comic Republic build and launch Cr Motion+, an animation studio that is aimed at bolstering the Nigerian animation industry and expanding African stories worldwide.

“Andrew Cutrow, one of the founding members of 3Point0 Labs,...

Pachinko creator Soo Hugh is expanding her relationship with the teams behind the critical darling.

Hugh has signed a multiple-year overall deal with Apple and Pachinko producers Media Res. Hugh, who was previously at Universal Content Productions, will continue to serve as showrunner on Pachinko as well as develop new projects through her Moonslinger Productions banner.

“For the last six years, I’ve been fortunate to call Apple and Media Res my creative family. Together, we dreamed big, and I am thrilled to be able to continue working with so many people I admire and cherish. Now, the homecoming is official,” Hugh said in a release announcing the news Monday.

Margo Klewans serves as president of Moonslinger Productions after following Hugh from UCP, where she oversaw programs including Joe vs. Carole, Lockerbie and the long-gestating Battlestar Galactica reboot. Klewans personally recruited Hugh to UCP and oversaw her deal as well as those of Sam Esmail,...

A drama series inspired by the music of Grammy winner Usher about Black love in Atlanta is in development at UCP.

Per the official logline, the Untitled Usher Project is a series about Black love in Atlanta and individuals looking to find a place to call home. The series will explore music, style, sex, romance and secrets that threaten to tear relationships apart.

Usher will executive produce the series with Selwyn Seyfu Hinds (Washington Black) and attorney/producer Kenny Meiselas via his KMei Productions. UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, is the studio.

“My 30-year catalog has resonated with so many people no matter where they were in their lives,” Usher said in a statement. “I’m happy to be working with UCP to bring the music to life. I hope the series resonates with you the way my music continues to.”

Usher is coming off his halftime performance at Super Bowl Lviii.

The music of Usher will form the basis for a drama series in the works at Universal Studio Group’s UCP.

The Super Bowl Lviii halftime headliner and Grammy winner will executive produce a drama inspired by his music. Selwyn Seyfu Hinds (Hulu’s Washington Black) and Katie Zucker of Mad Massive and Kenny Meiselas of KMei Productions are also executive producing.

“My 30-year catalog has resonated with so many people no matter where they were in their lives,” Usher said in a statement. “I’m happy to be working with UCP to bring the music to life. I hope the series resonates with you the way my music continues to.”

The untitled drama will be set in Atlanta and will focus on “Black love and individuals looking to find a place to call home. The series will explore music, style, sex, romance and secrets that threaten to tear relationships apart,...

On the heels of a charismatic Super Bowl halftime performance, Usher is now bringing his music to the small screen. The eight-time Grammy winner has partnered with UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, to develop a drama series.

Executive producers are Selwyn Seyfu Hinds, Katie Zucker (Mad Massive Entertainment) and Kenny Meiselas (KMei Productions).

“My 30-year catalog has resonated with so many people no matter where they were in their lives,” Usher said in a statement. “I’m happy to be working with UCP to bring the music to life. I hope the series resonates with you the way my music continues to.”

Per the official logline, the drama is about “Black love in Atlanta and individuals looking to find a place to call home. The series will explore music, style, sex, romance and secrets that threaten to tear relationships apart.”

While too early to confirm, there’s a...

Exclusive: UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, has extended an overall development deal with Tanya Saracho (Vida). She will develop and produce original projects for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms under the agreement.

Saracho is currently in development on several projects including the series The Wild Wild, inspired by the lives of Annie Oakley, America’s most famous sharpshooter, and the renowned trick-rider Señorita Rosalie, who were both stars of the famed Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

She will serve as co-creator and executive producer of the project along with Jenniffer Gomez, with Jamie Babbit attached to direct and executive produce.

“It’s a pleasure and honor working with Tanya and her company, Ojalá. Their creative brilliance and entrepreneurial approach to producing and writing is so rare, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership,” said Beatrice Springborn,...

Exclusive: Hollywood management and production company The Gotham Group has launched a new international division and appointed long-time manager and producer Justin Littman as its head.

The appointment see Littman join The Gotham Group partners roster alongside Peter McHugh, Julie Kane-Ritsch, Lindsay Williams, Jeremy Bell, Eric Robinson, Lee Stollman, Rich Green, and Matt Shichtman.

“We’re thrilled to have Justin leading The Gotham’s Group’s surging international client roster,” said The Gotham Group Founder and CEO Ellen Goldsmith-Vein.

“This initiative underscores our ability and intention to expand the boundaries of our business, to tap into the creative minds of artists around the globe to create entertainment for audiences everywhere,” said Goldsmith-Vein.

Littman said the time was ripe for such a move.

“International voices are driving a huge part of the conversation in film and TV,” he said. “The Gotham Group is excited to launch a dedicated department to focus on these artists,...

Exclusive: The Gotham Group has signed Nigerian filmmaker C.J. Obasi, whose latest feature Mami Wata is Nigeria’s entry for Best International Feature Oscar in the 96th Academy Awards.

Mami Wata world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in its World Cinema – Dramatic section, where it won the cinematography prize.

Award-winning filmmaker Obasi’s previous credits include Ojuju (2014) and O-Town (2015), which screened at various festivals, including Gothenburg and Fantasia.

His short film, Hello, Rain (2018) premiered at Oberhausen and over 40 festivals, winning a Jury Prize at Fantasia, and the BFI Short Film Award nomination. Juju Stories (2021), an anthology film directed by the Surreal1 Collective, won the Boccalino D’oro Award for Best Film at Locarno.

Set in a remote West African village, Mami Wata follows the villagers who worship the Mermaid-deity Mami Wata and look for guidance from their healer Mama Efe (Rita Edochie), her daughter Zinwe (Uzoamaka Aniunoh) and protégé...

Exclusive: The Republican contenders for his old job were debating up at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley last night, but today Barack Obama was in town seeking more higher ground.

The 44th President of the United States was on the westside of LA Thursday for a sit-down at CAA with the agents for his and former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company.

According to a source close to the uber-agency, Obama met with his film, TV, and non-scripted team to discuss projects for Higher Ground. As casual as it can be when the ex-leader of the free world is in the house, the gathering was held in one of CAA’s large conference rooms.

Michelle Obama did not join her husband and business partner today at the meeting. However, Higher Ground president Vinnie Malhotra, plus Joe Paulson, Tonia Davis and other member of the production company...

Two key stars from Netflix's Sandman multiverse recently hit the picket line in support of the members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) currently striking for better pay.

On Twitter, television writer and producer Selwyn Seyfu Hinds shared a photo of himself alongside actor Tom Ellis. In the photo, Ellis can be seen holding a sign that reads, "I'm an actor. I literally don't know what to say." Hinds' tweet reads, "When your star shows up to picket. Thanks for the support Tom!!!" Hinds serves as creator and showrunner of Hulu's upcoming television adaptation of Esi Edugyan's 2019 novel Washington Black, which stars Ellis as Christopher "Titch" Wilde. Ellis is perhaps best known for playing the lead role of Lucifer Morningstar on the Fox/Netflix series Lucifer, based on the character of the same name originating from writer Neil Gaiman's seminal DC/Vertigo series The Sandman.

Universal Studio Group’s UCP is delving deeper into the comic book universe.

The studio has partnered with Nigeria-based Comic Republic to develop a slate of TV series based on characters from its popular Vanguards Universe.

Comic Republic was founded in 2013 by Jide Martin and is an online multimedia company that focuses on the digital creation and distribution of original African comic books. The Vanguards Universe revolves around what happens when members of the first race — humanity’s self-proclaimed gods — reunite to punish the people of Lagos for the sins of the Guardian. Those who have decided to be heroes and protectors are forced to become humankind’s first line of defense, to serve and to protect, to be Vanguards. The deal gives UCP access to more than 14 characters that are core to the Vanguards world, including Aje, Eru, Metalla and Sango.

Selwyn Seyfu Hinds (Hulu’s upcoming Washington Black...

Waking up in an alternate reality after a night of partying, 19-year-old Kacy Martin is haunted by mutating creatures as she navigates her newfound existence in Retroverse, a new comic book series from writer Cullen Bunn, artist John Bivens, and letterer Anna Peterson. With the first issue of Retroverse coming out on December 13th as part of Amazon's Comixology Originals, Daily Dead caught up with Bunn to discuss his new sci-fi horror series, including teaming up with Bivens, working with Comixology, and interweaving poignant drama with heartfelt horror.

In addition to Retroverse, Bunn discusses his new comic book series Door to Door, Night by Night and the TV series adaptation of The Sixth Gun that's in development with Selwyn Seyfu Hinds for UCP.

As a special treat for Daily Dead readers, we've also been provided with an exclusive look at Bivens' character design artwork for Retroverse, and we have preview...

Exclusive: Toronto’s Elevation Pictures has picked up North American rights to Warren Pereira’s feature documentary Tiger 24, executive produced by The Gotham Group. The film has begun a limited theatrical release which includes a week’s run at the Laemmle’s Monica Film Center (Los Angeles), starting September 30. It will subsequently release on all transactional VOD platforms in North America on November 15.

In Tiger 24, a wild tiger kills men who enter his territory, then being declared a man-eater and locked up in a zoo. This galvanizes massive social uproar and activists to take their cause to the streets, online, on billboards and all the way to the Supreme Court.

World premiering at this year’s Cleveland Film Festival, Tiger 24 is a finalist at the Jackson Wild Media Awards and has two nominations at Wildscreen Festival, where previous winners include My Octopus Teacher. Pic also claimed Best Documentary at last week’s Burbank Film Festival.

Add DC’s Strange Adventures to the list of HBO Max projects that have recently been placed on the chopping block following the Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

Writer and director Kevin Smith first shared on his Hollywood Babble-On podcast that the DC Comics series will not be moving forward at the streaming service. Sources have confirmed to Deadline that that is, in fact, the case.

Strange Adventures was given a green light for development, along with a Green Lantern-inspired show, in 2019. Green Lantern appears to still remain on track.

Smith, who was set to direct and co-write an episode of the series, said on the podcast that the episode was to have revolved around Bizarro and Jimmy Olsen.

“[Axing Strange Adventures] kind of made sense to me — nobody necessarily knows these characters, and it sounded like an expensive show,” Smith said on the podcast.

Strange Adventures shares its name with...

The “Washington Black” series at Hulu has cast Billy Boyd, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, and Julian Rhind-Tutt in recurring roles, Variety has learned exclusively.

“Washington Black” is adapted from Esi Edugyan’s novel of the same name. The nine-episode series is set in the 19th century and follows Washington “Wash” Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr.) as he flees from a Barbados sugar plantation after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. He becomes the protégé of Medwin Harris (Sterling K. Brown), a Black refugee from Nova Scotia who serves as the de facto major of Black Halifax. While trying to outrun his past and the hunters on his tail, he meets Tanna (Lola Evans), a young wealthy British woman who passed as white but was secretly born of a Melanesian mother on the Solomon Islands, forcing her and her father to flee London for Nova Scotia. Tanna’s father pushes...

Selwyn Seyfu Hinds has signed an overall deal with UCP, which will see him adapt the Civil War graphic novel series “The Sixth Gun” into a TV series for the Universal Studio Group-owned studio.

Under the pact, Hinds will produce projects across various platforms through his production company Mad Massive Entertainment. First up is “The Sixth Gun,” based on the graphic novels from Oni Press by Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt.

Per UCP’s description for the potential show, “During the darkest days of the Civil War, vile men unearthed six pistols of otherworldly power. But the Sixth Gun, the most dangerous of the weapons, vanished…until the day Becky Montcrief unknowingly grabs that very weapon from her dead father in a desperate attempt at self-defense — an act that hurls her into a terrifying new reality. One where men, and dark entities beyond men, will hunt the holder of...

Charles Dance has been cast in Hulu’s “Washington Black” in the recurring role of James Wilde.

James is the father of Erasmus and Titch (Tom Ellis) Wilde. He is described as an esteemed scientist and inventor whose shadow looms over the entire story, bearing down with the enormous weight of patriarchy, empire and duty. At his core, Wilde is a man fighting to give himself permission to love the way he must, even as he reckons with his failings as a father. Throughout the series, he will attempt to reconcile those things without destroying himself and everything he cares for.

“Washington Black” is adapted from Esi Edugyan’s novel of the same name. The nine-episode series is set in the 19th century and follows Washington “Wash” Black (Ernest Kingsley Jr.) as he flees from a Barbados sugar plantation after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. He becomes the protégé of Medwin Harris,...

Exclusive: Producer Janet Zucker has optioned the film rights to Cynthia Pelayo’s International Latino Book Award winner Children of Chicago for Zucker Productions, with producer Tony Eldridge (The Equalizer films) for Lonetree Entertainment.

The two-time Bram Stoker Award-nominated author’s horror novel is billed as a gripping, modern-day spin on the Pied Piper fairy tale, as well as a gritty love letter to the underbelly of Chicago. In it, Detective Lauren Medina’s latest call brings her to investigate a brutally murdered teenager in Humboldt Park―a crime eerily like her sister’s murder decades before. Unlike her strait-laced partner, she recognizes the crime, and the new graffiti popping up all over the city, as a message: the Pied Piper has returned, and debts shall be paid.

“Cynthia has done an amazing job creating a unique multilevel story with unforgettable characters that jump off...

Exclusive: Rupert Graves has joined Hulu’s anticipated limited series Washington Black as a series regular, with Shaunette Renée Wilson signing on to a recurring role.

Graves and Wilson join a previously announced series regular ensemble led by Ernest Kingsley Jr. and Sterling K. Brown, which also includes Eddie Karanja, Tom Ellis, Iola Evans, Edward Bluemel and Sharon Duncan-Brewster.

Selwyn Seyfu Hinds is adapting the nine-episode drama series based on Esi Edugyan’s international bestselling novel of the same name. It will follow the extraordinary 19th-century adventures of George Washington (“Wash”) Black (Kingsley Jr.)—an 11-year-old boy on a Barbados sugar plantation who must flee after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. As previously announced, Brown is playing the gregarious, larger-than-life Medwin Harris, who traveled the world after a traumatic childhood as a Black refugee in Nova...

‘Lucifer’ actor Tom Ellis has joined the cast for Hulu’s limited series adaptation of ‘Washington Black.’ Led by Sterling K. Brown, Ellis takes on the role of steam-punk inventor Christopher “Titch” Wilde.

Based on Esi Edugyan’s novel of the same name the nine-episode series follows the extraordinary 19th-century adventures of George Washington “Wash” Black, an 11-year-old boy on a Barbados sugar plantation who must flee after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. Brown will play the gregarious, larger-than-life Medwin Harris, who travelled the world after a traumatic childhood as a Black refugee in Nova Scotia as the de facto Mayor of Black Halifax prioritizes the community over everything except Washington Black, his young protégé. Meeting Wash sends him down a challenging path of self-discovery. And as the barricades around his heart start to fall, Medwin will learn to dream again.

Also in news – ‘Foundation’ season 2 first...

Lucifer alum Tom Ellis is set as a series regular in Washington Black, the Sterling K. Brown-fronted adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s novel, which received a straight-to-series order at Hulu. Twilight Zone writer Selwyn Seyfu Hinds is adapting the limited series for 20th Television.

Washington Black follows the extraordinary 19th-century adventures of George Washington (“Wash”) Black – an 11-year-old boy on a Barbados sugar plantation who must flee after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. Brown will play the gregarious, larger-than-life Medwin Harris, who traveled the world after a traumatic childhood as a Black refugee in Nova Scotia as the de facto Mayor of Black Halifax prioritizes the community over everything except Washington Black, his young protégé. Meeting Wash sends him down a challenging path of self-discovery. And as the barricades around his heart start to fall, Medwin will learn to dream again.

Ellis will play Christopher “Titch” Wilde,...

Tom Ellis, TV’s erstwhile devil, is going to get his steampunk on with his first series regular role since Lucifer signed off.

Ellis has joined Washington Black, Hulu’s nine-episode adventure series starring and executive-produced by This Is Us Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown.

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Adapted from Esi Edugyan’s bestselling novel and...

“Lucifer” star Tom Ellis has joined the cast of Hulu’s Sterling K. Brown-led “Washington Black” limited series in the role of steam-punk inventor Christopher “Titch” Wilde.

Described as an epic nine-episode adventure series based on Esi Edugyan’s novel of the same name, “Washington Black” follows the extraordinary 19th-century adventures of George Washington “Wash” Black, an 11-year-old boy on a Barbados sugar plantation who must flee after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. Brown will play the gregarious, larger-than-life Medwin Harris, who traveled the world after a traumatic childhood as a Black refugee in Nova Scotia as the de facto Mayor of Black Halifax prioritizes the community over everything except Washington Black, his young protégé. Meeting Wash sends him down a challenging path of self-discovery. And as the barricades around his heart start to fall, Medwin will learn to dream again.

Ellis most recently starred as...

Exclusive: Killing Eve and A Discovery Of Witches star Edward Bluemel, Dune actress Sharon Duncan-Brewster and newcomer Eddie Karanja (After Ever After) have joined Sterling K. Brown, Iola Evans and Ernest Kingsley Jr as series regulars in Hulu drama series Washington Black, we can reveal.

Hulu has ordered the sprawling nine-episode limited drama straight to series with filming due to begin next month for producer 20th Television.

The show will follow an 11-year-old boy who embarks on a globe-trotting journey of identity after fleeing a Barbados sugar plantation aboard a flying machine in the company of his master’s eccentric inventor brother.

Brit Karanja will play the ‘Young Wash’, described as “a gentle-eyed, 11-year-old boy with a dreamer’s heart. Born on the Barbados sugar plantation, a shocking death forces him to flee by taking to the skies—sending him on a path to become a globe-trotting artist, scientist and inventor…...

Hulu announced that Ernest Kingsley Jr. and Iola Evans have been added to the cast of upcoming adventure limited series “Washington Black.” Kingsley will play George Washington “Wash” Black and Evans will play his love interest Tanna Goff.

“Washington Black” is adapted from Esi Edugyan’s novel of the same name. The nine-episode series is set in the 19th century and follows Wash as he flees from a Barbados sugar plantation after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. He becomes the protégé of Medwin Harris (Sterling K. Brown), a Black refugee from Nova Scotia who serves as the de facto major of Black Halifax. While trying to outrun his past and the hunters on his tail, he meets Tanna, a young wealthy British woman who passed as white but was secretly born of a Melanesian mother on the Solomon Islands, forcing her and her father to flee London for Nova Scotia.

Exclusive: Ernest Kingsley Jr. has been cast in the title role and Iola Evans also stars in Washington Black, the Sterling K. Brown-fronted adaptation of Esi Edugyan’s novel, which received a straight-to-series order at Hulu. Twilight Zone writer Selwyn Seyfu Hinds is adapting the limited series for 20th Television.

Washington Black follows the extraordinary 19th-century adventures of George Washington (“Wash”) Black (Kingsley)– an 11-year-old boy on a Barbados sugar plantation who must flee after a shocking death threatens to upend his life. Brown will play the gregarious, larger-than-life Medwin Harris, who traveled the world after a traumatic childhood as a Black refugee in Nova Scotia as the de facto Mayor of Black Halifax prioritizes the community over everything except Washington Black, his young protégé. Meeting Wash sends him down a challenging path of self-discovery. And as the barricades around his heart start to fall, Medwin will learn to dream again.