Kerry Washington’s new comedy series ‘UnPrisoned’ has broken records as Onyx Collective’s most-watched Hulu debut to date.
The Hulu Original scripted show that premiered on March 10, has resonated with audiences across the US and received an overwhelmingly positive response on social media. Following the usual practice among streamers, Hulu did not disclose precise viewership data for the series.
UnPrisoned has already gained a massive audience and is currently available for streaming on Hulu in the US, Star+ in Latin America, and Disney+ in all other territories. The show has garnered critical acclaim and has been praised for its outstanding performances, insightful writing, and nuanced exploration of complex themes. As Onyx Collective’s first foray into comedy, UnPrisoned is a groundbreaking and significant addition to the streaming landscape. Here’s how you can watch the Unprisoned on Hulu outside the US.
The fans have been raving about the show on social media since its premiere. While expressing their appreciation for the show’s powerful performances, many have shared how the show has resonated with their own experiences. In fact, one of the Twitter users wrote, “This show hits home for me in so many ways.”
I appreciate the perspective of Paige, she’s not trying to be the strong black woman. She’s anxious, traumatized, and living thru it openly. We often have to seem like we have it together to be accepted and she isn’t even trying. I love it #UnPrisoned
— Jhay (@impsblejhayla) March 10, 2023
#Unprisoned is great. Inner child personified? Here for it. I’m triggered, yet laughing.
— Samurai Chi (@chiNOTshy) March 29, 2023
Furthermore, Kerry Washington herself tweeted about the show, revealing about the show’s release. She also thanked her fans for their support and expressed her gratitude to the cast and crew.
Look no further. #UnPrisonedHulu is out now. Your new favorite show. You’re welcome 🤪 go watch!!!! pic.twitter.com/QoOFTROtiU
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) March 10, 2023
UnPrisoned marks Onyx Collective’s debut in the comedy genre. The show takes inspiration from creator Tracy McMillan’s life and revolves around Paige Alexander (Kerry Washington), a relationship therapist who is a single mother and a perfectionist. Her life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin Alexander (Delroy Lindo), is released from prison and comes to live with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana). The show, based on the black storyline, explores the themes of family, forgiveness, and redemption.
To further add, Jordyn McIntosh plays the role of young Paige, and Marque Richardson portrays Mal Kennedy. The series has an impressive executive producer team, including Tracy McMillan, Yvette Lee Bowser (also the showrunner), Kerry Washington, Pilar Savone, and Delroy Lindo. Joy Gorman Wettels, Jen Braeden, and Kevin Bray also serve as executive producers. The show is produced by ABC Signature and is a part of Onyx Collective on Hulu.
Following the triumph of “Reasonable Doubt”, this show marks the second collaboration between Hulu and Onyx Collective on a scripted project. At the Television Critics Association press tour a month ago, the actors and creative team of UnPrisoned divulged some additional details regarding their vision for the show, particularly regarding their approach to addressing the issue of mass incarceration.
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Tracy McMillan and Kerry Washington expressed their desire to challenge viewers’ perceptions and prompt them to re-evaluate their perspectives on the subject during the press interactions. Washington shared that, “[It’s an] opportunity to take a lens and explore these racist institutions, and they impact the everyday life of families, but in a way that is fun and loving.”
Delroy Lindo, who plays the father of Kerry Washington in ‘Unprisoned’, also shared his views on the uniqueness of his character. He spoke about how his prior roles share similarities with UnPrisoned, yet how they differ from its “correctives,”.
He stated that, “I would also say that in terms of my own personal arc of my career, just the projects I’ve done in the last few years like The Harder They Fall, Da Five Bloods…they were what I called historical correctives. This is, in its own way, a present-day corrective. It’s looking at a family story through a different lens.”
Similarly, Tracy McMillan, the creator of the show, spoke about her intentions behind creating a show like this, while revealing how ‘UnPrisoned’ resonates as an American healing story.
She said that, “I wanted to show a family that every person in America would identify with, even though they’re facing very specific circumstances. This is, at its heart, a father-daughter story. It’s a story about a woman with a teenage son who’s trying to repair the relationship with her dad, and everyone can relate to that.”
She further shared that, this is definitely something that the showrunner Yvette Lee Bowser could relate to as “My father is an Edwin, so I know this guy.” She added, “I really, really understood it on a personal level and felt like it wasn’t just my story and her story, but our story — an American story about healing.” However, what convinced her to join the project was “the kind of authenticity and honesty with which Tracy wanted to tell the story and the amazing actors attached in Delroy and Kerry.”
‘UnPrisoned’ has struck a chord with audiences across the US, breaking records as Onyx Collective’s most-watched Hulu premiere and sparking important conversations around cultivating a culture of family bonding and forgiveness.
