After winning an Academy Award for Moonlight, Barry Jenkins is now directing the Barry Jenkins Underground Railroad Amazon series, which draws on the historical drama of the antebellum South. Jenkins is working closely with Amazon Studios and Plan B to create this original limited series inspired by a celebrated novel.
Collaboration Set to Bring Acclaimed Novel to Screen
Barry Jenkins, known for his impactful storytelling, is partnering with producers at Plan B and Amazon to bring The Underground Railroad to television. The upcoming series will be a one-hour drama, adapted from Colson Whitehead’s much-lauded book released in August of the previous year. The novel received critical acclaim, winning the 2016 National Book Award and being named an Oprah Book Club selection. The story follows a young woman named Cora as she seeks freedom from slavery in Georgia, embarking on a harrowing journey through the South. Deadline notes that her flight leads her to the fabled Underground Railroad, envisioned here as an actual subterranean network complete with trains, conductors, and engineers.
Blending Magical Realism with Historical Narrative
The project adapts the book’s inventive approach, merging elements of magical realism and historical drama. Instead of portraying the Underground Railroad purely as a metaphor, the series imagines it as a literal railway hidden beneath Southern ground. The story presents the escape from slavery and the pursuit of liberty in both surreal and authentic terms, intending to provide viewers with a unique perspective on American history.
Critical Acclaim and Creative Vision
Colson Whitehead’s novels, including The Intuitionist, have been recognized for challenging literary norms. His storytelling, especially in The Underground Railroad, has resonated with both critics and readers alike. Barry Jenkins has expressed his admiration for Whitehead’s work and his ambitions for the series.
“Going back to The Intuitionist, Colson’s writing has always defied convention, and The Underground Railroad is no different. It’s a groundbreaking work that pays respect to our nation’s history while using the form to explore it in a thoughtful and original way. Preserving the sweep and grandeur of a story like this requires bold, innovative thinking and in Amazon we’ve found a partner whose reverence for storytelling and freeness of form is wholly in line with our vision.”
—Barry Jenkins, Director
Anticipated Impact and Next Steps
The Barry Jenkins Underground Railroad Amazon series stands to make a significant mark, blending fantasy and historical truth in a way rarely seen on television. With support from Amazon Studios, the production hopes to extend the novel’s reach to a wider audience, offering a fresh look at a pivotal time in American history. As the series prepares for development, anticipation is building among fans of both Jenkins’s film work and Whitehead’s literary achievements.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Barry on Netflix a true story?
A. Vikram Gandhi’s “Barry” is a simple film in many ways. It tells a made-up story about Barack Obama’s first year at Columbia University in the early 1980s. Devon Terrell plays young Obama, showing a smart student who should feel like he belongs in his new environment.
Q. Is Barry a true story?
A. Barry is a drama movie from the United States that came out in 2016. Vikram Gandhi directed the film, which tells the story of Barack Obama during his time at Columbia University in 1981. The main cast includes Devon Terrell, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jason Mitchell, Ashley Judd, Jenna Elfman, Ellar Coltrane, Avi Nash, and Linus Roache.
Q. Are Lulu Wang and Barry Jenkins still together?
A. Personal life: Jenkins started a relationship with film director Lulu Wang in 2018. They got married in a small, private ceremony in December 2024.
