What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedWashington Black
Esi Edugyan · Book · 2018
If you loved Washington Black, start with The Book of Negroes (Clement Virgo, 2015) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Washington Black across media.
If Washington Black captivated you, you will appreciate these stories that explore the brutal intersection of personal identity and systemic oppression.
Films on the same thread
American Fiction
Cord Jefferson · Film · 2023
Shares a thread with Washington Black: Identity.
Much like the protagonist in Washington Black, the lead in American Fiction grapples with the performative nature of identity and the hypocrisy inherent in how society consumes Black narratives.
BlacKkKlansman
Spike Lee · Film · 2018
Shares a thread with Washington Black: Identity.
The tension between personal safety and the fight against systemic injustice seen in Washington Black finds a sharp, satirical echo in this undercover exploration of racial hatred and infiltration.
Black Panther
Ryan Coogler · Film · 2018
Explores: Succession, Cultural Identity, Anti-Colonialism.
Washington Black balances grand adventure with a search for belonging, a dual focus mirrored in this story of a leader navigating the complexities of heritage and global colonial power.
12 Years a Slave
Steve McQueen · Film · 2013
Explores: Injustice, Survival, Loss of Freedom.
If the harrowing journey toward freedom in Washington Black resonated with you, this film provides a similarly unflinching look at the resilience required to survive the cruelty of slavery.
Series on the same thread
The Underground Railroad
Barry Jenkins · Series · 2021
Explores: The horrors of slavery, The fight for freedom, Hope amidst despair.
This narrative mirrors the desperate, transformative odyssey of Washington Black, blending the harsh realities of the antebellum South with a speculative vision of the path toward true liberation.
Black Sails
Robert Levine · Series · 2014
Explores: Survival, Moral Ambiguity, Power Struggles.
The mentorship and moral ambiguity that defined the journey of Washington Black are central here, as this nautical drama follows complex characters navigating power and survival in colonial settings.
The Book of Negroes
Clement Virgo · Series · 2015
Shares 2 threads with Washington Black: Identity, Freedom.
Mirroring the expansive, world-spanning search for autonomy in Washington Black, this story follows a protagonist who must navigate continents and revolutions to reclaim her life from the grip of slavery.
Roots
Alex Haley · Series · 1977
Explores: Family Saga, Cultural Identity, Oppression and Resistance.
The deep focus on lineage and the enduring impact of systemic trauma found in Washington Black is expanded upon here, offering an epic look at the struggle for cultural identity.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
This series provides the historical context for the themes of systemic racism and national identity that underpin the fictional world of Washington Black, grounding the struggle in reality.
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Political scandal, Archival research, Cultural impact.
If you enjoyed how Washington Black uses historical settings to critique power structures, this podcast offers a similar forensic look at the hidden events that shaped our contemporary national identity.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Washington Black a Booker Prize winner?
Washington Black was shortlisted for the 2018 Booker Prize. It received significant critical recognition, including winning the Giller Prize and being named a finalist for the Carnegie Medal and the Rogers Writers Trust Fiction Prize.
Is Washington Black available as a television series?
Yes, Washington Black has been adapted into a major television series. The production features a cast that includes Tom Ellis, Rupert Graves, and Sterling K. Brown.
Was Washington Black recognized by the International Dublin Literary Award?
Yes, Washington Black was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award in 2020. This is one of several major accolades the book received following its publication in 2018.
Did Washington Black receive recognition from the Walter Scott Prize?
Washington Black was longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize in 2019. The book also earned praise from critics, with Attica Locke describing it as a masterpiece and the Observer calling it strong, beautiful, and beguiling.