If you want to catch your dreams, you must chase them. That noble pursuit requires more than putting your right foot in front of your left. It demands a commitment to the goal, an unwavering belief that you can accomplish what you’re setting out to do, and the ability to envision yourself crossing the finish line. These attributes become lifelines when you’re the first or only one in your immediate environment with the gumption to try. And it’s these themes of imagination, resilience, and curiosity that are all explored in Hulu’s new limited series, Washington Black. Adapted from Esi Edugyan’s award-winning novel of the same name, the series follows 11-year-old George Washington “Wash” Black, an enslaved boy coming of age on a 19th-century Barbados plantation. Wash's prodigious scientific mind leads him to be placed under the supervision of his slave master's brother, Titch, where he is introduced to science and wonder.
And from there, the adventure begins.
Viewers are introduced to Ernest Kingsley Jr. as the principal character, and his mentor, Medwin, played by Academy-Award nominee and three-time Emmy winner (and newly minted nominee) Sterling K. Brown. Wash endeavors to change how people travel. Instead of by sea, Wash wants people to fly and travel in the air. A common form of transportation for us today, but light years ahead of its time. So, after escaping slavery, Wash finds safety and a home with Medwin, where he can explore his passion more freely.
Complex spoke with the actors about Washington Black, the power of mentorship, imagination and what they hope viewers can take away from the Hulu limited series.
You're an EP for this series, so your opinion matters. What was it about Ernest that made you feel like he could carry this story?
Sterling K. Brown: Ernest is a pure soul. The themes of the character, the hopefulness, the creativity, and the sort of wonderment in which Wash lives, I believe, echo Kingsley’s core. The way he moves through the world. He sees the best parts of people naturally, and I think that's also how I experienced Wash. So, it was hand in glove. He fit perfectly.
Ernest Kingsley Jr.: Wow, thank you, man.
I don’t think we’ll ever know the extent or the true horrors of slavery, but what I noticed about the series is that there's a lot of love. Could you please tell me, Mr. Kingsley, why you felt that was written into the story and how you think it will impact the viewers?
Ernest Kingsley Jr.: I think love is the vehicle in which things are done, built upon, and actualized. In this story, there are so many people, Wash included, who want more for themselves. But to actualize those things for yourself, you need a community. You need people to hold you and to lift you when you are down and downtrodden. I feel like love does that. We see characters like Medwin and then Miss Angie and Barrington and so many other people who pour into Wash with love and admiration and encouragement. I would argue that Wash wouldn't be able to do what he did if not for those people pouring into him at those moments in his life. Love is crucial.
Sterling K. Brown: I think that’s one of the things that drew me to the story, which was that it highlighted Wash’s joy and hope. Even though we’re not trying to minimize the institution of slavery because it’s real and one of the greatest atrocities in the history of mankind, this young man was able to transcend his circumstances through the power of his imagination and seeing the beauty during the pain. I feel like for so long, most of the stories that deal with this institution focus on the hardships and the pain and the trauma. So, I said that after I do American Fiction, I can't come out and do something else. Let me see if I can get some Black Boy Joy up in the middle of this. [Laughs]
Wash’s mind expands when he first sees a “car,” and it’s at that moment that the seeds of science and pursuing science are planted. Mr. Kingsley, what was your earliest memory of film, theater, or television, and deciding, "I want to do this"?
Ernest Kingsley Jr.: You know what, maybe it's an unorthodox one. I grew up on Disney Channel, man. [Laughs] I grew up on Disney Channel, High School Musical, and Step Up. Step Up 2 was my favorite. I was just like: ‘I can do this. That's me.’ I think growing up with those TV shows, they were fun, and I think that was it. There was so much joy that I found in it, and I think I was attracted to the joy. I kept on doing that thing that brought me joy. Now, it's bringing me a career, so I'm thankful.
Titch becomes an unlikely mentor to Young Wash, and more than showing him the power of science, he also shows him kindness. Can you both tell me of a time earlier in your career when someone's kindness gave you the motivation to keep going?
Ernest Kingsley Jr.: I think the first person that comes to mind is my drama teacher. I was 16. I feel like she saw potential in me and pushed me in ways that maybe I didn't see at the time. She's the reason, and if it weren't for her pushing me. I definitely wouldn't be here.Sterling K. Brown: I had a teacher in middle school. Her name was Barbara Bull. Her name is Barbara Kraus now, and she's from the Bay Area. She went to Stanford University, and I asked, ‘Ms. Bull, do you think I could go to Stanford?’ And she goes, ‘If you work hard, I absolutely think you could.’ And I wound up going to Stanford University. Barbara Bull was like a second mom, and she's still with us. I text her from time to time. She was my math teacher, and she was my high school advisor through the whole college experience, et cetera, but without her, I would not be who I am without Barbara Bull.
Observe, record, and engineer. Those are the words Tish says to Wash regarding his scientific process. Can you both explain your process as an actor in three words? Sterling K. Brown: Hmm. Read. Observe and listen.
What about you, Ernest?
Ernest Kingsley Jr.: Imagine. Research, openness.
What does a mentor have to see in a young person to even feel inclined to want to mentor that person?
Sterling K. Brown: Promise and curiosity. I think one of the things that I needed to learn when I was in college was the concept of office hours. [Those hours] are there because teachers want you to come to them. They want you to be curious. So, at that particular time in my life, I was like, ‘I don't want to bother the teacher. I’ll figure it out. They’ve got other things to deal with.’ But as somebody now who's in a position to mentor, when people come to me with questions and genuine curiosity, it excites me. So, I think curiosity is probably number one.
My last question for both of you. What do you want people to feel or take away from Washington Black?
Ernest Kingsley Jr.: I want them to feel inspired. I think this show can make you feel larger than life and courageous enough to dream of a world bigger than your own. I want people to feel that air of possibility. Nothing is off limits because it's too big. There's no such thing as too big. Have that faith, have that courage, and actualize that dream you have.
Mr. Brown?
Sterling K. Brown: Ditto. Where you place your focus and attention tends to grow. And there's so much right now that we can focus on that sucks. Not trying to bury your head in the sand because life be life-in, [laughs] but there are things to be grateful for. So, focus on gratitude, focus on beauty, and that will amplify in your life and carry you through until there's more beauty to be experienced.
All episodes of Washington Black are streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.