Hulu has unveiled the official trailer and key art for its upcoming limited series Washington Black, a sweeping historical drama based on the acclaimed novel by Esi Edugyan. The nine-episode series premieres July 23, 2025, with all episodes dropping on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
Executive produced by and starring Sterling K. Brown, Washington Black follows the extraordinary journey of George Washington “Wash” Black, an 11-year-old boy born into slavery on a Barbados sugar plantation whose brilliant mind and unbreakable spirit launch him into a life-altering adventure.
Told across two timelines, the series begins with Wash’s daring escape from the brutal world he was born into and follows him as he grows into a free man navigating love, legacy, and the shadows of his past. Along the way, he forms an unexpected bond with a steam-punk-inspired inventor, travels across continents, and falls for Tanna Goff (Iola Evans), a woman hiding secrets of her own.
Ernest Kingsley Jr. leads the series as the older Wash, while Eddie Karanja portrays his younger self. Brown plays Medwin Harris, a self-made man and community leader in 19th-century Black Halifax who becomes a mentor and protector to Wash. Tom Ellis stars as Christopher “Titch” Wilde, the eccentric inventor whose early relationship with Wash sets the story in motion.
The cast also includes Rupert Graves, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Edward Bluemel, Billy Boyd, Charles Dance, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Shaunette Renée Wilson, and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine.
Behind the scenes, Washington Black is brought to life by showrunners Selwyn Seyfu Hinds (The Twilight Zone) and Kimberly Ann Harrison. The series is produced by 20th Television in association with Indian Meadows Productions and The Gotham Group. Hinds, Harrison, Brown, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Anthony Hemingway, Wanuri Kahiu, Mo Marable, Rob Seidenglanz, Jeremy Bell, Lindsay Williams, D.J. Goldberg, and Jennifer Johnson all serve as executive producers. Edugyan is also credited as co-producer.
Visually rich and emotionally powerful, the trailer teases a story that blends survival and freedom with romance, ambition, and Black resilience. From sweeping landscapes to sky-bound escapes and quiet moments of connection, Washington Black is poised to be one of the year’s most moving and cinematic limited series.
Watch the trailer below and mark your calendars for July 23.
