The Book of Negroes 

Kidnapped in Africa and subsequently enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York, isolation in Nova Scotia, and the treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom in the eighteenth century.

Stars:

Aunjanue Ellis, Lyriq Bent, Ben Chaplin

19 wins & 26 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Aunjanue Ellis	...	Aminata Diallo 6 episodes, 2015
Lyriq Bent	...	Chekura Tiano 5 episodes, 2015
Ben Chaplin	...	Cpt. John Clarkson 4 episodes, 2015
Allan Hawco	...	Solomon Lindo 4 episodes, 2015
Greg Bryk	...	Robertson Appleby 3 episodes, 2015
Shailyn Pierre-Dixon	...	Young Aminata 3 episodes, 2015
Cara Ricketts	...	Bertilda 2 episodes, 2015
Sandra Caldwell	...	Georgia 2 episodes, 2015
Dwain Murphy	...	Claiborne 2 episodes, 2015
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Daddy Moses 2 episodes, 2015
Antonio David Lyons	...	Happy Jack 2 episodes, 2015
Siya Xaba	...	Young Chekura 2 episodes, 2015
Cuba Gooding Jr.	...	Sam Fraunces 2 episodes, 2015
Armand Aucamp	...	Lieutenant Waters 2 episodes, 2015
Robin Smith	...	William King 2 episodes, 2015
Kyle M. Hamilton	...	Elijah / ... 2 episodes, 2015

Storyline

Kidnapped in Africa and subsequently enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York, isolation in Nova Scotia, and the treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone, in an attempt to secure her freedom in the eighteenth century.

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Plot Keywords:

tv mini series | based on novel | george washington character | woman | 

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Taglines:

Beauty fades. Strength, you'll keep forever.

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 February 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aminata

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Company Credits

Production Co:

Conquering Lion Pictures,Out of Africa Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

265 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the book, "The Book of Negroes", written by Lawrence Hill, and published 2007. In some countries, the title was changed to "Someone Knows My Name".

User Reviews

little known history

Aminata Diallo (Aunjanue Ellis) is captured from her West African village and sent into slavery. She falls for Chekura, a boy in the slaving party. He in turn is also sold. She is sold to the cruel Robinson Appleby. She resists his advances and eventually has a child with Chekura. Rosa Lindo is a sympathetic white woman but she dies. Her husband Solomon is able to buy Aminata but also brokers the sale of Aminata's child away from Robinson. Aminata escapes from Solomon to live in NYC's Canvas Town during the American Revolution. She is befriended by Revolutionary bar owner Samuel Fraunces (Cuba Gooding, Jr.). Chekura manages to escape and join Aminata. She is also befriended by British Cpt. John Clarkson (Ben Chaplin). At the war's end, she helps to record names of slaves into the Book of Negroes for slaves who supposedly served the British Army for one year and thereby earning their freedom.

It's great for this little mentioned part of history to be made. Also Aunjanue Ellis is a very compelling actress. I can do without Cuba Gooding Jr. doing an accent. Also Rick Roberts doesn't fit my image of General Washington. Aminata directly challenging Washington on slavery seems too obvious and on the nose. It's unrealistic. The story is rushed through a long winding life. I can understand the need for it. However it does feel sometimes like a highlight reel. The production and directions are mostly TV movie level. Ellis is able to elevate the production almost by the sheer power of her will.