Washington Black; Critical: Between Life and Death

“As a TV series, Washington Black feels less like a grownup drama and more like the sort of quasi-historical show that teachers play to their pupils as an end-of-term treat. It is very easy to watch, and the four episodes delivered to press slip down easily and endearingly. But, really, that lack of friction is a problem. From the mawkish string soundtrack to some of the most heavy-handed dialogue ever committed to screen and the most cliched of death scenes, Washington Black lacks bite.”
Hannah J Davis, The Guardian

“Washington Black is attempting to do a lot of things at once. It is a bowdlerised Underground Railroad that is nonetheless a salutary reminder to younger viewers of the wickedness of slavery. It is also a rousing, Around the World in 80 Days-style hop-and-stop that doesn’t want you to think too hard about the wickedness of slavery because this is supposed to be fun. And there is Romeo and Juliet in there too, a tale of forbidden love and tragic romance that has things to say about social discrimination and prejudice.”
Benji Wilson, The Telegraph

“Some of the doctors featured on the new show are 24 Hours In A&E veterans and it is, in key respects, a very similar programme, albeit executed with added flair and – let’s be honest – a noticeable amount of extra West Coast wonga that makes for a slicker, faster-paced and irresistible watch.”
Ben Dowell, The Times

“It’s all very slickly done and there are lots of dramatic close-ups of people in scrubs clustered around a patient who’s just arrived by ambulance. However, the series also suffers from the familiar Netflix weakness of needing to hype up events to an even more dramatic level.”
Ed Power, The i