Michaela Coel's gripping political thriller Black Earth Rising has been dubbed 'perfection' and the 'best drama in recent years' by fans. The acclaimed 2018 BBC mini-series is now streaming on iPlayer.
Plot and Themes
The eight-episode series centres on Kate Ashby (Coel), who was brought up in Britain by her adoptive mother, Eve, having been born in Rwanda. Kate follows in her mother's footsteps, as Eve is a prominent British prosecutor specialising in international criminal law. Working alongside Michael Ennis (John Goodman), Eve is compelled to confront her early childhood during the Rwandan genocide as she tackles a case prosecuting an African militia leader at the International Criminal Court.
The series explores challenging themes including race, justice, personal integrity and self-determination on a worldwide scale.
Critical Acclaim
One IMDB reviewer described it as the 'best' war drama they had encountered in recent times, writing: 'I can't pretend to understand or ever really know the pain of the survivors of the Rwanda genocide but this drama has such strength in not only Michaela Coel's performance but in its script, its twists and turns, its depth and sensitivity to a painful and ultimately so desperately human tragedy...'
Another admirer said they had witnessed 'perfection at last.' They praised the 'stunning visuals' by Hubert Taczanowski, 'perfect sound,' and the 'genius' animated sections, concluding: 'There might be better made TV drama, but I have yet to see it.'
Black Earth Rising is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
