Naman Shrestha
Adapted from the eponymous book written by Esi Edugyan, Hulu’s ‘Washington Black’ is a period drama series created by Selwyn Seyfu Hinds. Set in the 19th century, the narrative follows an 11-year-old George Washington whose life turns upside down after the sudden death of someone close to him. After the Barbados sugar plantation resident flees away to start afresh, he crosses paths with Medwin Harris, who had traumatic experiences of being a Black refugee in Nova Scotia himself. When the now Mayor of Black Halifax meets Washington, he is forced to revisit his past and rediscover himself and his dreams once again. The setting of the early 1800s in Barbados and Nova Scotia allows the characters to come to life in an authentic manner, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
Washington Black Filming Locations
The filming of ‘Washington Black’ took place in multiple locations across Canada (Nova Scotia), Mexico, Iceland, as well as the US (Virginia and the unincorporated territory of US Virgin Islands). According to reports, it reportedly commenced in March 2022. As a result of unforeseen circumstances such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, industry-related strikes, and complications arising out of on-location shoots, the team faced several hiccups. Owing to which, the schedule eventually got stretched up till 2024. To be precise, after about nine months of actual filming, the production finally wrapped up on September 18, 2024. Upon being asked about the challenges that hindered the process of bringing the show to life, creator Selwyn Seyfu Hinds told The New York Times, “Obviously, at the time we were shooting, Covid was one of the bigger challenges. Weather was a huge challenge.”
Halifax, Nova Scotia
The team of ‘Washington Black’ chose Halifax, the capital city of the province of Nova Scotia, as one of the filming locations. Since the narrative is partially set in the region, it served as an ideal backdrop for the show. Many local spots can be spotted in the backdrop as Medwin Harris executes his responsibilities as the Mayor of Black Halifax, working for the betterment of the Black community in Halifax. It is likely that the crew transformed several sites in the area to showcase the year 1837 convincingly. The city boasts a rich maritime history and is home to Halifax Harbour, which is consistently ranked among the deepest and most expansive ice-free natural harbors in the world. It has also hosted the production of ‘Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion,’ ‘Across the Atlantic,’ ‘October 1970,’ ‘A Lesser Sort of War,’ and ‘Chapelwaite.’
Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia
The drama series also visited the South Shore of Nova Scotia and settled in Lunenburg County to tape a few sequences. In particular, the 190‑acre coastal forest named Ovens Natural Park at 326 Ovens Road in Riverport is where filming took place. Located along the picturesque Lighthouse Route in rural Feltzen South, it offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from atop the rugged cliffs as well as the naturally sculpted unique sea caves called the Ovens. Thus, the visually striking spot might have easily doubled as a shooting site for the show. The stunning landscapes and locales of Lunenburg County can also be spotted in ‘Locke & Key,’ ‘Haven,’ ‘Moby Dick,’ ‘The Book of Negroes,’ and ‘On the Shores of Nova Scotia.’
Other Locations in Nova Scotia
In conversation with CBC Radio’s Information Morning, creator Hinds expressed how excited he felt shooting ‘Washington Black’ in Nova Scotia, which he called “one of the most gorgeous places.” He stated, “Being able to tangibly touch and feel the Black Nova Scotian community here, which is such an important part of the book and important part of the show.” According to reports, several portions were recorded in the unincorporated community of Mount Uniacke. Furthermore, the cast and crew members were spotted taping key scenes in and around the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site at 7495 Main Street in the unincorporated community of Louisbourg, which is situated in Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Mexico City, Mexico
For the purpose of filming, the production team of ‘Washington Black’ also traveled all the way to Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. The creator described Mexico as “simply the hottest place I had ever been.” Talking about the scorching heat, he quipped, “I used to joke on set and apologize every other day, like, ‘Guys, I promise the next show I write is going to be shot on a nice studio backlot in L.A.'” Given the blend of modern and historical architecture the city’s landscape provides, it served as an apt production location. You might be able to spot numerous popular landmarks and places of interest in the backdrop, including the Monument to the Revolution, the Angel of Independence, the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
Other Locations
According to reports, the filming unit also utilized the locales of the state of Virginia. In addition, the historical capital of the US Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, served as yet another filming site for the Hulu series. Situated in Saint Thomas, the town is popular for its Danish colonial architecture and historic sites. From what we can tell, the shooting for the Sterling K. Brown starrer also took place across Iceland, including its capital, Reykjavik. In fact, during their first day in the Nordic Island nation, the cast and crew weathered a hurricane. Describing the unpredictable weather, Hinds told The New York Times, “It can be a blizzard, but if the winds are 80 miles an hour, it’s a hurricane!”
In an interview with Ebony, Ernest Kingsley Jr., who portrays George Washington, revealed, “We went to Iceland, Mexico, Canada. Iceland was incredible—to see this sea of whiteness, the mountains, the ice, the snow. I’d never been to that kind of climate before.” He also claimed that traveling to all these places helped him understand how interconnected the world is. He elaborated, “Opening yourself up to different kinds of cultures and people was beautiful. Like in Washington’s journey, there are many people he meets from all these different areas, and they give him different pieces of advice, but there is a through line of knowing thyself and integrity. They were all so far apart, but connected in that spiritual mindset, and that’s deeper than words can convey.”
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