Viewers binge 'much-watch' period drama in 'one day'

Disney+ viewers have been hooked by a new period drama hailed as a 'must watch'.

Sterling K Brown's Washington Black landed on the streamer on July 23 and has already received overwhelming praise.

Set in 19th Century Barbados the eight-part series follows an 11-year-old boy named George Washington 'Wash' Black (portrayed by Ernest Kingsley Jr).

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After witnessing a gruesome death, George is forced to flee his home on a sugar plantation, leading him on a wild adventure around the globe.

Based on Esi Edugyan's novel of the same name, the limited series sees George taken under the wing of Medwin Harris (played by Brown), who similarly had a traumatic upbringing in Nova Scotia.

Thecast also features Lucifer star Tom Ellis in the role of George's companion Christopher 'Titch' Wilde. At its core, the drama delves into hefty themes such as the quest for freedom in the midst of slavery.

After just a few days on Disney+, Washington Black has already bagged an impressive 88% Rotten Tomatoes score, with audiences awarding it a less generous 60% rating.

Critics on the site rave about the new period piece, stating: "An adventure yarn bolstered by weighty themes, Washington Black brings Esi Edugyan's acclaimed novel to life with a terrific ensemble and striking production design."

Meanwhile, FandomWire praised in their review: "The wanderlust world of faith, hope, and trust is explored in such a beautiful and impactful way with gorgeous set pieces, costumes, and visuals, making Washington Black a must-watch."

Casual viewers have been left equally impressed, with many taking to social media to share glowing reviews.

"Yo #WashingtonBlack is pretty d**n good. Really well acted and excellently paced. Whimsical, charming, suspenseful. It's all the things that make for a good couch binge," praised an X, formerly Twitter, user.

A second echoed the praise: "Binged the whole thing in one day loved it," with a third posting: "Hey! So #WashingtonBlack is a 10/10 series as I've spent my entire day binge watching it. #SterlingKBrown is a genius."

Yet another viewer raved on IMDb: "I hadn't heard much about Washington Black before watching, but after just one episode, I'm completely hooked.

"The story is gripping, the visuals are stunning, and the acting is top-tier. Seeing some of my favourite actors like Sterling K. Brown and Tom Ellis in the cast makes it even better. I can't wait to see where this journey goes!"

Washington Black is streaming now on Disney+