#FreeRayshawn
Entertainment Featured

[Trailer] Emmy-nominated ‘#FREERAYSHAWN’ Starring Laurence Fishburne, Stephan James

Phyllis Coley @phyllis_coley

 

#FreeRayshawn
Protesters in “#FreeRayshawn” (courtesy of Quibi)

Quibi released #FREERAYSHAWN as part of its inaugural slate of originals when the mobile video site launched earlier this year. The powerful short-form drama, which picked up three Emmy nominations last month, has no shortage of heart-pumping action as a wronged Black man takes on a police department that framed him.

Storyline: On a remote street in the outskirts of New Orleans, a botched entrapment leaves a police officer dead and an innocent man named Rayshawn (Stephan James) on the run.  Rayshawn escapes a breathless pursuit and barricades himself in his home with his girlfriend (Jasmine Cephas Jones) and young son (Danny Boyd, Jr.).  Citing the senseless end of countless Black Lives, Rayshawn documents the ensuing standoff on social media, building a fleet of witnesses who share his desire for respect, accountability, and social justice.  As the SWAT team encroaches and #FREERAYSHAWN trends, Rayshawn places his trust in Lt. Steven Poincy (Laurence Fishburne) to find the evidence that will exonerate him.  Poincy works against time as both negotiator and lifeline, while perception and procedure block the path to the truth…

#FreeRayshawn
Laurence Fishburne in “#FreeRayshawn” (courtesy of Quibi)

“This story is so powerful,” said Fishburne, who was joined by fellow Emmy-nominated castmates James and Jones in a behind-the-scenes interview with Quibi. “The telling of this story is so necessary, unfortunately, at this moment, and it reflects so much of what’s going on in our country today.”

Jasmine Cephas Jones and Stephan James in “#FreeRayshawn” (courtesy of Quibi)

Indeed, the show contains a number of themes that are relevant in the current discussions that are taking place surrounding racial injustice within the legal system, which was the draw for the actors.

“You always want to be a part of something that reflects the times and use your artistry to help make the world a better place, and this is one of those pieces,” said Jones.

Behind-the-Scenes Interviews and Clips:

 

From executive producer Antoine Fuqua, #FreeRayshawn is not only entertaining but also in its own way, pays tribute to those who have fallen victim to a system in dire need of reform.

“For me, Rayshawn is this fictitious character but all these characters are very representative people, human beings. A man who is a father, is a husband, is a war veteran, somebody who served his country,” James said. “So I think you get to see the colors that really exist inside these people. And I think that that’s pretty much our job is to give these people a level of debt and give them the level of humanity, to make them relatable and understandable.”

Check out the trailer below. 


#FreeRayshawnStarring: Laurence Fishburne, Stephan James, Danny Boyd, Jr., Skeet Ulrich, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Annabeth Gish, Ana Ortiz

Director: Seith Mann

Executive Producer:  Antoine Fuqua

Writer: Marc Maurino

Produced by: Fuqua Films, Sony Pictures TV

Genre: Drama, Action

Number of Episodes: 15