5 Must-Know Facts About “When They See Us” You Shouldn’t Miss

The series, divided into four compelling parts, explores the Central Park jogger case and the wrongful convictions of the Central Park Five, who were unjustly at the center of this notorious incident. The narrative followed five men of African American and Latino descent who were falsely accused and imprisoned for the rape and assault of a Caucasian woman.

The series delved into the multifaceted nature of the case, shedding light on allegations of racial profiling and the inappropriate tactics employed by law enforcement during the investigation.

Five Intriguing Facts About When They See Us That Viewers Should Know

1) Netflix’s When They See Us Was Initially Titled Something Different

On July 6, 2017, it was revealed that Netflix was producing a five-part series about the Central Park jogger case and the Central Park Five, originally titled Central Park Five. However, by July 9, 2018, reports indicated that the series would consist of four episodes instead. On March 1, 2019, director Ava DuVernay announced that the series would be renamed When They See Us, although a reason for this title change was not provided.

2) When They See Us Has Received Numerous Accolades

When They See Us has been a hit in award ceremonies (Image via Instagram/@whentheyseeus)

The series garnered critical acclaim and was celebrated by audiences. It received numerous nominations and took home several prestigious awards, including Best International Programme at the British Academy Television Awards.

Additionally, it won Best Limited Series at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards, where Jharrel Jerome also won Best Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie. The series received multiple nominations at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

3) Linda Fairstein Filed a Lawsuit Against the Series in March 2020

Linda Fairstein, the original prosecutor in the case, claimed that the series misrepresented her role and damaged her reputation. In March 2020, she filed a defamation lawsuit against Netflix, DuVernay, and Locke in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. In August 2021, the court determined that several of Fairstein’s defamation and civil conspiracy claims would proceed to trial. However, on June 4, 2024, DuVernay announced that she and Fairstein had reached a settlement right before the trial, resulting in Netflix adding a disclaimer to the series indicating that certain elements were fictionalized.

4) The Central Park Five Were Compensated for Their Wrongful Convictions by New York City

The subjects of When They See Us sought compensation for their wrongful convictions (Image via Instagram/@whentheyseeus)

Following their release, the Central Park Five, now known as the Exonerated Five, sought damages from New York State for the years of psychological and physical suffering they endured while wrongfully incarcerated.

They accused the city’s police and prosecutors of wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution, and being part of a racially motivated conspiracy that violated their civil rights.

The group initially pursued $52 million in compensation. After lengthy negotiations, each member received varying amounts, starting at approximately $11 million, based on their individual sentences.

This highlights the true story behind the miniseries.

5) When They See Us Sparked Conversations About Racial Injustice and the American Legal System’s Failures

DuVernay ensured that When They See Us transcended mere storytelling about crime; it acted as a poignant critique of racial injustices inherent in predominantly white societies. Through the portrayals of the Central Park Five and their treatment, the series illuminated the pervasive racial disparities in the American legal system.

It also exposed the systemic failures that contributed to the prolonged wrongful incarceration of the Central Park Five, highlighting coerced testimonies obtained without legal representation or parental oversight, especially given their ages—actions that breach legal standards. These powerful depictions sparked critical discussions about racial biases, legal injustices, and media manipulation in trials.

For further details, explore the compelling narrative.

When They See Us is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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