Black Earth Rising

Black Earth Rising season 1 on BBC Two
Watch Black Earth Rising on BBC Two
Status:
Ended
Season 1:
Ended on October 29, 2018
Watched: 0%
0 of 8 Episodes
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Notes:

Season: 1
# Air Date Episode Name Watched?
E1 Sep 10, 2018 In Other News
E2 Sep 17, 2018 Looking at the Past
E3 Sep 24, 2018 A Ghost in Name
E4 Oct 01, 2018 A Bowl of Cornflakes
E5 Oct 08, 2018 The Eyes of the Devil
E6 Oct 15, 2018 The Game's True Nature
E7 Oct 22, 2018 Double Bogey on the Ninth
E8 Oct 29, 2018 The Forgiving Earth
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Watched / Unwatched
Mark Season 1:
Watched / Unwatched
Production Note - Limited Series
Production Type:
Limited Series

Black Earth Rising is a standalone Limited Series that concluded its 8-episode run in October 2018. Black Earth Rising is a sprawling political thriller that explores the intricate layers of international law and the lasting trauma of the Rwandan genocide. Written and directed by Hugo Blick, the production boasts a cinematic scale, utilizing complex timelines and striking animation to bridge historical gaps. Starring Michaela Coel and John Goodman, the series received critical acclaim for its uncompromising look at justice, earning BAFTA nominations for its powerful lead performance. This 8-part event remains a definitive narrative, offering a rigorous and emotionally resonant conclusion that leaves no room for continuation. Its status as a high-prestige limited event is cemented by its thematic density and meticulous production design.

Filmed on location in Ghana and the United Kingdom, featuring an original screenplay written and directed entirely by Hugo Blick.
Confidence: 100% Last Refined: March 2026
Why Watch:
"A haunting exploration of the International Criminal Court and the scars of history, anchored by a career-defining performance."
Series Analysis:
Hugo Blick’s Black Earth Rising remains a dense, provocative examination of international justice and the long shadows cast by the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. By centering on Kate Ashby, portrayed with piercing intensity by Michaela Coel, the series forced audiences to confront the messy intersections of legal culpability and personal identity. Its legacy lies in its refusal to offer easy answers, instead highlighting the friction between Western judicial systems and African sovereignty. As a piece of television history, it elevated the political thriller genre into a philosophical inquiry regarding historical memory. While this specific narrative arc has concluded, the show’s intellectual weight continues to influence modern prestige drama. Set a digital alert for any potential spin-offs or related projects from this creative team.
Tone: Academic, somber, and critically appreciative. Last Updated: March 2026
Featured Characters (8)
See All (9)
Network:
BBC Two
Seasons:
1
Years:
2018 - 2018
Genre:
Mini-Series, Drama, Thriller
Rating:
TV-14
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