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Brilliant Young Inventor Navigates Adulthood in Gripping Hulu Adaptation
23 Jul
Summary
- 11-year-old scientific prodigy escapes plantation life
- Travels the world, builds flying machine with mentor
- Struggles to trust and find his place as a Black man in America

The Hulu adaptation of Esi Edugyan's award-winning novel 'Washington Black' is a coming-of-age story that follows the life of a young scientific prodigy named George Washington Black. Set in the 19th century, the series begins with 11-year-old Wash living on a plantation owned by the abusive Erasmus Wilde.
However, Wash's life takes an unexpected turn when Erasmus' brother, the bright-eyed inventor Titch, arrives and recognizes Wash's brilliance. Titch takes Wash under his wing, and the two begin building a flying machine together. This marks the start of Wash's extraordinary journey, as he travels the world and learns to navigate the complexities of adulthood.
As the series jumps between Wash's youth and his later life in Nova Scotia, it explores themes of trust, identity, and the challenges faced by a Black man in America. Wash must learn to be wary of would-be white saviors, while also embracing his passion for knowledge and discovery. The series balances the joys of youthful exploration with the frustrations of entering adulthood, offering an engaging and thought-provoking narrative.