Black Earth Rising

As a child, Kate Ashby was rescued from the horrific aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and brought to the UK. But the tragic shadow of her past proves impossible to escape.

Black Earth Rising (2018) is a British crime thriller miniseries created for BBC Two. Michaela Coel plays Kate Ashby, a young woman rescued as a child from the horrific aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and raised in the UK, whose tragic past proves impossible to escape. As she pursues a legal case tied to international justice, she finds that powerful figures would prefer old atrocities stay buried. John Goodman plays Michael Ennis, a figure entangled in the investigation, while Noma Dumezweni plays Alice Munezero, a character bound to Kate's history. The engine of the story is Kate's determination to uncover the truth about her origins while navigating dangerous conspiracies that reach across borders and courtrooms. Across eight hour-long episodes, the series builds a serialized mystery with suspense and emotional weight, moving between London, Rwanda and European courts. Its tone is tense, somber and morally weighty, with an atmosphere of unease and political menace. Fans of The Night Manager, Criminal Justice and The Night Of will find resonance in its blend of conspiracy, legal drama and emotional depth, grounded in a serious engagement with the aftermath of genocide.

Audience reception is positive overall, with viewers praising the thriller's gripping conspiracy plot and its serious engagement with genocide, justice and survival.

• The Night Managershared political conspiracy thriller tone, serialized mystery built on a buried atrocity
• Criminal Justiceshared prestige British drama register, serialized investigation into historical wrongs and institutional cover-ups
• The Night Ofshared global conspiracy plotting, legal and investigative engine across continents

Release Date

2018-09-10

Episode runtime

59 min

Rating

7.5 / 10 (79)

What is Black Earth Rising about?

A London barrister adopted from the Rwandan genocide uncovers a conspiracy tied to her own past.

What is Black Earth Rising like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Black Earth Rising as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.

Is Black Earth Rising violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Black Earth Rising as moderate.

What did critics think of Black Earth Rising?

Audience reception is positive overall, with viewers praising the thriller's gripping conspiracy plot and its serious engagement with genocide, justice and survival.

Which shows are like Black Earth Rising?

Shows with a similar feel include The Night Manager, Criminal Justice, and The Night Of.

How long is Black Earth Rising?

Black Earth Rising: 1 season, 8 episodes.

Is Black Earth Rising still running?

No, Black Earth Rising has ended.

Where can I watch Black Earth Rising?

In United States, Black Earth Rising streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.