Black Cake is an American drama television miniseries.[1] It is based on Charmaine Wilkerson's novel of the same name and premiered on Hulu.[2] It stars Chipo Chung, Mia Isaac, Adrienne Warren, Ashley Thomas and Glynn Turman.[3] It is produced by Harpo Productions and shows Oprah Winfrey as one of main executive producers.[4][5]
Black Cake | |
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Created by | Marissa Jo Cerar |
Based on | Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson |
Starring |
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Original language | English |
No. of episodes | 8 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Running time | 54–61 minutes |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | Hulu |
Release | November 1 December 6, 2023 | –
The show received generally positive reviews from critics,[6][7] being nominated at the NAACP Image Awards and GLAAD Media Award.
Premise edit
Two siblings learn about their late mother's dark past after she leaves her recordings to them.
Cast edit
Main edit
- Chipo Chung as Eleanor Bennett
- Mia Isaac as Coventina "Covey" Lyncook
- Adrienne Warren as Benny Bennett
- Ashley Thomas as Byron Bennett
- Lashay Anderson as Bunny Pringle
- Faith Alabi as Pearl Thomas
- Glynn Turman as Charles Mitch
- Ahmed Elhaj as Gibbs Grant
Recurring edit
- Jade Eshete as Mathilda
- Jeremiah Birkett as Bert Bennett
- Rupert Evans as Everett
- Samuel Lorenzo Bulgin as Percival Henry
- Anthony Mark Barrow as Clarence "Little Man" Henry
- Simon Wan as Lin
- Karise Yansen as Eleanor "Elly" Douglas
- Elliot Cowan as Steve
- Sonita Henry as Mabel Mathilda Martin
Episodes edit
No. | Title | Directed by | Teleplay by | Original air date |
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1 | "Covey" | Natalia Leite | Marissa Jo Cerar | November 1, 2023 |
2 | "Coventina" | Natalia Leite | Teleplay by : Heather Jeng Bladt Story by : Marissa Jo Cerar & Heather Jeng Bladt | November 1, 2023 |
3 | "Eleanor" | Natalia Leite | Marissa Jo Cerar & Ihuoma Ofordire | November 1, 2023 |
4 | "Mrs. Bennett" | Tara Nicole Weyr | Kara Smith | November 8, 2023 |
5 | "Mother" | Tara Nicole Weyr | Hayley Tyler | November 15, 2023 |
6 | "Ma" | Mario Van Peebles | Yasmin Almanaseer | November 22, 2023 |
7 | "Birth Mother" | Zetna Fuentes | Marissa Jo Cerar & Hayley Tyler | November 29, 2023 |
8 | "Nine Night" | Zetna Fuentes | Marissa Jo Cerar | December 6, 2023 |
Release edit
The trailer of Black Cake was released on October 2, 2023.[8] The television series premiered on Hulu in the United States, Disney+ under the Star banner internationally and Star+ In Latin America. on November 1, 2023.[9]
Reception edit
Critical response edit
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 15 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.80/10. The website's consensus reads: "Cleverly plotted and viscerally well-acted, Black Cake is an engrossing drama that can have its surprising twists and eat them, too."[10] On Metacritic, the series has a score of 68 out of 100, based on 9 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[11]
Ronda Racha Penrice of TheWrap described Black Cake as groundbreaking and entertaining, praised the performances of the cast, and said, "It cracks open the door for never-ending narrative possibilities for truly diverse and dynamic stories."[12] Judy Berman of Time stated Black Cake is one of the few examples of a show in which the "floridly emotional tone serves the story," praised the performances of the actors, and complimented how the television series approaches the concept of family secrets. [13]
Accolades edit
At the 55th NAACP Image Awards Black Cake was nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, while Marissa Jo Cerar was nominated for Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series.[14] At the 35th GLAAD Media Awards Black Cake was nominated for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.[15]
References edit
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 2, 2022). "'Black Cake': Mia Isaac To Headline Hulu Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood.
- ^ Giorgis, Hannah (November 9, 2023). "A Show About the Secrets Parents Keep From Their Children". The Atlantic. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
- ^ Behzadi, Sofia (July 20, 2022). "'Black Cake': Lashay Anderson, Faith Alabi & Ahmed Elhaj Join Hulu Drama Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Sarner, Lauren (November 2, 2022). "Oprah Winfrey's 'Black Cake' is 'so much pressure,' showrunner says". New York Post. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 22, 2021). "'Black Cake' Drama Series From Marissa Jo Cerar, Oprah Winfrey & Aaron Kaplan Ordered By Hulu". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Tinubu, Aramide (October 27, 2023). "Hulu's Oprah-Produced Mystery 'Black Cake' Is Most Enticing When It Looks Toward the Past: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Watkins, TanChun (November 7, 2023). "Why Hulu's Newest Mystery Series Should Be Your Next Watch". Collider. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
- ^ Larasati, Dyah Ayu (October 29, 2023). "'Black Cake': Release Date, Trailer, Cast, and Everything We Know". Collider. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ Narayanan, Varsha (September 13, 2023). "Black Cake Season 1 Streaming Release Date: When Is It Coming Out?". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ "Black Cake: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Black Cake". Metacritic. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Penrice, Ronda Racha (October 31, 2023). "'Black Cake' Review: Tale of Family Secrets Centers Caribbean Diaspora". TheWrap. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ Berman, Judy (November 1, 2023). "Hulu's 'Black Cake' Is a Remarkably Rich Family Melodrama". Time. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ "Nominees Announced for the 55th NAACP Image Awards | NAACP". National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. January 25, 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 17, 2024). "GLAAD Media Awards Nominations Revealed". Deadline Hollywood.
External links edit
- Black Cake at Hulu
- Black Cake at IMDb