Sterling K. Brown’s New Series ‘Washington Black’ Hits Hulu This Summer

This summer, Hulu invites viewers to embark on an extraordinary global journey with Washington Black, a sweeping new series with Paradise and This is Us star Sterling K. Brown.

Premiering on July 23, this nine-episode adaptation is based on Esi Edugyan’s acclaimed novel, bringing to life the powerful coming-of-age story of George Washington "Wash" Black.

What Is ‘Washington Black’ About?

The series is set in the 19th century and begins on a sugar plantation in Barbados, where 11-year-old Wash, played by young Eddie Karanja, is forced to work under the brutal conditions of slavery. However, Wash's fate changes after a tragic accident forces him to run away.

The curious, free-thinking inventor Christopher "Titch" Wilde, played by the beloved Tom Ellis, ignites Wash's journey of escape and discovery when he whisks Wash away on a steampunk-fueled adventure spanning continents.

As Wash travels from the Caribbean to the icy coasts of Nova Scotia, he is taken in by Medwin Harris (here’s when Sterling K. Brown steps in), a charismatic and worldly community leader with a complicated past of his own. Medwin becomes a mentor to Wash, helping guide him through questions of identity, freedom, and purpose.

Brown, who also serves as executive producer, anchors the series with warmth and depth, mirroring the mentorship his character provides on-screen in his role behind the scenes.

How Is the Show Different From the Novel?

Unlike the novel, which has a singular perspective, the series expands its lens to offer a richer, more dynamic look at its characters and themes.

Executive producer Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and showrunner Kimberly Ann Harrison crafted a dual timeline that contrasts the experiences that shaped young Wash with his reflections as an adult navigating love, danger, and belonging in a world still grappling with the legacy of colonialism.