*While Hulu’s “Washington Black” begins with this coming-of-age urgency, the soul of the series quietly unfolds in its adult timeline, of love, friendship & self-discovery.
Centered on the mature Wash, played by Ernest Kingsley Junior, this part of the story explores the complexities of identity, love, and chosen family through his relationships with Tanna (Iola Evans) and Billy (Edward Bluemel).
Years after his harrowing escape from slavery, Wash has found refuge in Nova Scotia. But peace doesn’t come easily. As he carves out a life as an artist and intellectual, he’s still shadowed by trauma, guilt, and the lingering question of who he is beyond survival. It’s through his bond with Tanna, a fiercely intelligent woman of mixed heritage, that Wash begins to rediscover joy and vulnerability.
Tanna is not just a love interest; she’s an equal. Independent, compassionate, and sharp-witted, she challenges Wash to see himself not as damaged, but as whole. Their relationship is soft yet strong, built not just on passion but on deep mutual respect. Through Tanna, we witness Wash finally starting to believe he deserves more than just freedom he deserves love, legacy, and belonging.
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Tanna is such a strong character in this series. I ask Iola Evans what she learned from her character. “What I have hoped to learn from Tanna is to be brave and put your actions where your mouth is. To try always to lead with curiosity and compassion. To recognize your privilege, not to feel guilty about it, but to empower you to do something useful with it, said Evans.
Then there’s Billy, Wash’s closest friend and unexpected lifeline. Billy is an open book. Their friendship is layered with the complexity of different backgrounds, yet finding common ground in unlikely ways. It offers both comic relief and a rare sense of safety in an otherwise harsh world.
Together, Wash, Tanna, and Thomas form a small but mighty trio navigating a society that still doesn’t know what to make of a free, educated Black man. Their bond is revolutionary in its own right a testament to chosen kinship in a world built on division. I asked Ernest, when speaking with the cast, what he hopes viewers take away from the series. “I hope that people take away a sense of wonder (when watching the show). Sometimes we can look at the world and see there’s so much pain and suffering. But I think there’s the potential to see beauty in things that seem broken,” said Ernest Kingsley Junior.
The adult Wash storyline elevates Washington Black from historical drama to deeply human narrative. It’s not just about where Wash came from, it’s about who he chooses to become!
Join Wash’s journey July 23rd only on Hulu.
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