5 interesting facts about When They See Us that you need to know 

Created by Ava DuVernay and written by DuVernay, Julian Breece, Robin Swicord, Attica Locke, and Michael Starrbury, the crime drama television miniseries When They See Us was released on Netflix on May 31, 2019.

Divided into four parts, the series dealt with the Central Park jogger case and the Central Park Five, who were at the center of the case. The story followed five men of African and Latino heritage, who were falsely accused and imprisoned for the r*pe and assault of a caucasian woman.

The discussion in the series encompassed the complex aspects of the case, highlighting accusations of racial profiling by the involved authorities and the unjust tactics utilized by them during the investigation.

---

Five intriguing facts about When They See Us that viewers should be aware of

1) Netflix's When They See Us was initially called something else

On July 6, 2017, when it was announced that Netflix would be making a five-part series on the Central Park jogger case and the Central Park Five, it was revealed that the show would be called Central Park Five.

However, on July 9, 2018, it was reported that the show would no longer be having five episodes but would instead have four. On March 1, 2019, DuVernay further revealed that the show would be called When They See Us and not Central Park Five. A reason for the title change was not given.

---

2) When They See Us has won multiple accolades across events

When They See Us has been a hit in award ceremonies (Image via Instagram/@whentheyseeus)

When They See Us was loved by critics and audiences alike. The series was nominated for multiple awards, of which the show took home a few. Some of the most coveted awards the show took back home included Best International Programme at the British Academy Television Awards.

The series also won an award for Best Limited Series at the Critics' Choice Television Awards. At the same event, Jharrel Jerome was also awarded Best Actor in a Limited Series or Television Movie. The series was nominated in several categories at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

---

3) Linda Fairstein filed a lawsuit against the show in March 2020

Linda Fairstein, who was the original prosecutor of the case, alleged that the show depicted her in a bad light, suggesting that it was misleading. In March 2020, she filed a lawsuit against Netflix, DuVernay, and Locke in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, alleging defamation based on how she was portrayed in the series.

In August 2021, the District Court determined that several of Fairstein's defamation and civil conspiracy claims could advance to trial. On June 4, 2024, however, DuVernay announced that Fairstein had settled her lawsuit just before the trial's commencement. As a result of the settlement, Netflix included a disclaimer in the series indicating that certain elements were fictionalized.

---

4) The Central Park Five were compensated for their wrongful convictions by New York City

The subjects of When They See Us sought compensation for their wrongful convictions (Image via Instagram/@whentheyseeus)

After the Central Park Five were released from prison, the group, which was then referred to as the Exonerated Five, decided to seek damages from the state of New York for the years of mental and physical turmoil they had to endure as a result of being incarcerated.

The individuals accused the police and prosecutors of the city of wrongful arrest, malicious prosecution, and engaging in a racially motivated conspiracy aimed at infringing upon their civil rights.

The defendants pursued compensation amounting to $52 million. However, after multiple deliberations, each member received varied amounts, starting at approximately 11 million onwards, based on the kind of sentencing they received.

---

5) When They See Us drove in conversations surrounding racial injustice and the failure of the American legal system

DuVernay made sure that When They See Us was much more than just a show about violence and who committed it. Through the characterizations of the Central Park Five and the treatment that was meted out to them, DuVernay was able to highlight the insidious racial injustices prevalent in white-dominated societies.

She also highlighted the gaps in the American legal and judicial systems, which was one of the main reasons why the Central Park Five were held back for an extended period without significant evidence.

It was also alleged that the suspects were pushed into giving their testimonies admitting to the crimes in the absence of any legal aid or parent, which, given their ages, falls outside the law. These aspects depicted in the show were able to give rise to multiple conversations surrounding racial biases, legal injustices, and prejudiced media trials.

---

When They See Us is currently streaming on Netflix.