In the TV adaptation of this Canadian novel, Sterling K. Brown wanted to tell a different story about freedom

CBC

4 days ago

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The highly anticipated TV series Washington Black, adapted from the acclaimed novel by Canadian author Esi Edugyan, is set to captivate audiences with its unique exploration of freedom, imagination and the power of human connection. Shot in the picturesque landscapes of Nova Scotia, the series stars Emmy-winning actor Sterling K. Brown and emerging talent Ernest Kingsley Jr.
Arriving today on Disney+, Washington Black follows the extraordinary journey of George Washington Black, an 11-year-old enslaved boy on a Barbados sugar plantation in the 1830s. His life is irrevocably changed when a tragic death forces him to flee. He embarks on a thrilling and perilous escape across continents in a fantastical flying machine, seeking freedom, self-discovery and his true place in the world.
For Brown, the decision to join the Disney+ series, which he also executive produced, was deeply personal and rooted in a desire to tell a different kind of story about the Black experience. "There've been a lot of stories about the institution of slavery," Brown acknowledged. "A lot of them understandably focus on the pain and the trauma. But I think I've been hearing from my community for a long time ... I need stories that are different."
Brown emphasized the importance of showcasing resilience, imagination and the pursuit of dreams, even in the most challenging circumstances. "I don't need stories that are just painful and traumatic to put out there into the world, as if that is the totality of our experience. Our experience is bigger than that."
He was particularly drawn to the character of Washington (Wash) Black, who's played by Kingsley Jr. Wash is a young boy who "transcends those circumstances through the power of his imagination," said Brown. "He dares to say that even though these are the circumstances that I am in right now, there's something bigger and better for me in this life."
Although the series is historical fiction set in the 1800s, it carries a potent message for today's world. Brown believes it will resonate with anyone facing less-than-ideal circumstances, reminding them: "Do not allow your dreams to dampen. Your dreams can transcend your world."
Edugyan felt she was in good hands when it came to adapting her Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning novel. "I was so delighted when Sterling K. Brown's company wanted to option the book, because I really admire his work, and I just think he's one of the best actors of his generation," she said.
"For me, one of the most important parts of the novel to write was the sections that are in Nova Scotia and this is because I really wanted to explore some of our own slave histories. During my research, you're reading about Canada as the terminus for the Underground Railroad and how incredible that was, but you're also reading about how difficult it was for so many of those formerly enslaved people to establish real lives free of conflict."
She also wanted to be able to show the sense of community that was established, the connections made by people who came from different places and were able to find friendship.
Brown acknowledged the African community in Nova Scotia. "I think meeting the community, first of all, in Halifax was a really telling experience for me, because they sound like people from South Carolina in the States. I was like, 'Oh, wow. This Underground Railroad really happened, because I can hear the evidence of it thousands of miles away from where Black people entered into the United States through the port of Sullivan's Island in Charleston, South Carolina."
For his part, Kingsley Jr. identified with Wash's unwavering faith and ambition. "He kinda operates in that way and kinda sees more for himself," Kingsley Jr. shared, adding that he sees similar traits within himself. "I definitely see more for myself and I'm spurred on by the things I believe I can achieve and the things I wanna achieve in this lifetime."
He also highlighted Washington's remarkable ability to maintain his resolve in the face of adversity. He reflected on his own struggles with fear when confronted with problems, contrasting it with Washington's steadfast choice of love over fear. "I feel like sometimes I can be ambitious. I can be faithful. But when I see my problems, sometimes the view of them can be distracting, and it can bring me into a place of fear," he said. "I feel like [Washington] looks into the eyes of fear, and he's like, 'No, I choose love,' and I feel like I definitely wanna make that choice more boldly in my life."
The on-screen relationship between Medwin, played by Brown, and Washington is one of protection and reciprocal growth. Medwin, a self-made leader in the Black community in Nova Scotia, initially prioritizes survival. However, his interactions with the idealistic Washington challenges his worldview.
Brown eloquently described the dynamic: "Medwin's not allowing him the full degree of freeness that Wash yearns for. So I think there's something that he learned from being in proximity to this young man.... He makes Medwin ask the question, 'What is there more for me in my life?' And the answer to that is love."
Brown sees Medwin's journey as a realization that though protecting his community is vital, embracing love can lead to a richer, more fulfilling existence. "It's a very reciprocal, beautiful relationship where I think I may be able to give him something, but he gives me way more in return," Brown said.
This nurturing on-screen mentorship mirrored a genuine connection between the two actors. Kingsley Jr. shared how Brown became an invaluable confidant to him during production. "I felt like I kinda just made him my mentor," Kingsley Jr. said, acknowledging Brown's openness and grace. He described the bond as natural, with Brown providing support and guidance as Kingsley Jr. navigated his biggest role to date. "Here you have someone who's so supportive and so caring and just willing to be a listening ear," Kingsley Jr. said, calling the experience "nothing short of a blessing."
Washington Black is a journey of self-discovery for its protagonist, as he sheds imposed identities. When asked about the moments that profoundly shaped his own identity as an actor and an individual, Brown reflected on the ongoing process of personal evolution. He emphasized the foundational role of family in shaping identity. However, he also highlighted the critical point in life where one must discern between inherited beliefs and personal truths.
"You have to say for yourself, 'Is this something that I take on because it's what I authentically want for my own life, or are there things that I need to shed because I see something else for my life as well?'" he said.
"I've taken many of the things that my mother and father have given me in terms of a belief system, in terms of morality, in terms of priorities and values. And then I say, 'You know what? There are certain things I can leave behind, and there are certain things that I hope to evolve or help to grow and to pass along to my children.' So you can't help but be shaped from where you come from."