Netflix dropped the trailer for director Ava DuVernay’s long-awaited four part limited series “When They See Us” today (April 19)—on the 30th anniversary of the incident at the center of the project.
As previously reported by Colorlines, “When They See Us” is based on the Central Park Five case, in which five boys of color were convicted of a rape they didn’t commit. The series spans the entire chain of events—from the morning the teenagers were first interrogated to their exoneration in 2002 to their settlement with the city of New York in 2014. The film touts an impressive cast, including Michael K. Williams, John Leguizamo, Niecy Nash, Blair Underwood, and Christopher Jackson.
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Kevin. Antron. Korey. Yusef. Raymond. Know their names. Trailer tomorrow. #WhenTheySeeUs pic.twitter.com/MwfWAo2352
rnt— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 18, 2019
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To coincide with the release of the series, the DuVernay will partner with Color of Change and other racial justice organizations for a social impact campaign. Per an emailed statement, it will aim to bolster criminal justice reform efforts and shift the media narrative around young Black and Latinx people.
Watch the trailer above, then tune in when the series debuts on May 31.