Credit: Netflix

Back in 2019, Netflix was notoriously cagey about its viewership numbers, so when it revealed that When They See Us had been watched by more than 23million accounts worldwide in its first month, people were gobsmacked. Then came another number: around 25m households had watched it in its first four weeks.

All those views for a four-part limited series about wrongful conviction? And just four parts and not a multiple-season franchise because apparently those were trending back then. Just four gut-wrenchingly sad episodes about five boys being catastrophically failed by the system.

And people were watching it. Oh, they were watching, alright! And 23m might not seem like a big number today, but seven years ago, it was massive, and you see why about ten minutes in. Ava DuVernay created, co-wrote and directed When They See Us, which was released on Netflix on May 31st, 2019.

The story starts in New York in 1989, when a woman is attacked while jogging in Central Park. Now, five Black and Latino teenagers are swept into the investigation. They are questioned and coerced into confessions despite the absence of physical evidence tying them to the crime. You are watching these boys being questioned, and you keep wondering whether somebody will come and stop this. But no. On it goes.

The first half follows the interrogations and court case that eventually send the boys to prison, and by this point, you are not merely “invested”. You are fuming. And then the series gets worse… For you. The later episodes follow Raymond, Antron, Yusef and Kevin as they try to put some sort of life back together after their release, while Korey’s story takes everything into even darker territory. He’s just 16, and he ends up going through the adult prison system.

Eventually, another man confesses. DNA evidence supports his confession, and the convictions are vacated in 2002, which should feel triumphant, except, come on. Years of their lives are gone. You don’t get those back because somebody signs a piece of paper and admits there’s been a mistake. The story later moves forward to the 2014 settlement with New York City, but DuVernay never gives you a cookie-cutter ending.

Coming to the cast of the series, they had no business being this good. Ethan Herisse, Asante Blackk, Caleel Harris and Marquis Rodriguez play four of the boys when they are younger, while Jharrel Jerome plays Korey Wise across both stages of his life, and he is absolutely phenomenal.

And it wasn’t just viewers saying that either. He won the 2019 Emmy for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie’, which, once you’ve watched the fourth episode, will feel earned.

Netflix said When They See Us became its most-watched series in the US every day following its premiere through at least June 12th. Then the Emmys came along and handed it 16 nominations, with two wins, including Jerome’s.

Not bad for a four-part drama that makes absolutely no attempt whatsoever to give you a relaxing weekend. You’ll need to be seated for this one, and you better do it.