The Good Lord Bird

The 2020 American historical miniseries, created by Ethan Hawke and Mark Richard, is based on James McBride's 2013 novel of the same name. The story is narrated by Henry "Onion" Shackleford (Joshua Caleb Johnson), a fictional enslaved boy whom fervent abolitionist John Brown (Ethan Hawke) mistakes for a girl and takes along in his anti-slavery crusade. Set in the 1850s during the "Bleeding Kansas" era, the narrative leads up to Brown's infamous yet unsuccessful 1859 raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, an event considered a catalyst for the American Civil War. The series blends drama and dark comedy, delving into complex themes of racial dynamics, religious zealotry, and the moral ambiguity of radical activism. The cast also includes Daveed Diggs as Frederick Douglass, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Beau Knapp, Nick Eversman, Ellar Coltrane, Jack Alcott, and Mo Brings Plenty. The series was critically acclaimed for its original take on historical material, compelling performances, and a soundtrack featuring gospel, blues, and spirituals performed predominantly by African American artists.