History of When They See Us in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 31, 2025

When They See Us is a four-part Netflix miniseries based on the 1989 Central Park jogger case. It recounts the wrongful arrest, prosecution, and eventual exoneration of five Black and Latino teenagers accused of assaulting a white woman in Central Park. The series highlights the coerced confessions, racial bias within the criminal justice system, and the devastating impact on the lives of the accused and their families. The story follows their journeys through the legal process, imprisonment, and their struggles to rebuild their lives after being released, emphasizing the long-lasting consequences of the injustice they faced.

April 19, 1989: Central Park Jogger Case

On April 19, 1989, the Central Park jogger case occurred, where five juvenile males of color were prosecuted on charges related to the sexual assault of a female victim. This case is the basis for the miniseries When They See Us.

1989: Central Park Jogger Case

In 1989, the events of the Central Park jogger case occurred, forming the basis for the later miniseries When They See Us. The case involved the false accusation and prosecution of five Black and Latino male suspects in connection with the rape and assault of a white woman in Central Park, New York City.

December 2002: Exoneration of the Central Park Five

In December 2002, the five suspects in the Central Park jogger case were exonerated when the real perpetrator was unequivocally confirmed.

2002: Convictions Vacated

In 2002 the convictions of the five suspects were vacated after they were coerced into giving false confessions.

2003: Lawsuit Filed Against New York City

In 2003, the exonerated five filed a suit against the city of New York for wrongful conviction.

2014: Settlement Awarded to the Central Park Five

In 2014, the Central Park Five were awarded a settlement in their lawsuit against the city for wrongful conviction.

July 6, 2017: Netflix Orders Central Park Five Series

On July 6, 2017, Netflix ordered the production Central Park Five as a series consisting of five episodes. Ava DuVernay was set to create, write, and direct the series.

July 9, 2018: Series Details Announced

On July 9, 2018, it was reported that the series would consist of four episodes. Bradford Young was announced as the series' cinematographer, and Robin Swicord, Attica Locke, and Michael Starrbury were announced to co-write each episode with DuVernay.

July 2018: Main Cast Announced

In July 2018, Michael K. Williams, Vera Farmiga, John Leguizamo, Felicity Huffman, Jharrel Jerome, and Jovan Adepo joined the main cast of the series.

August 3, 2018: Supporting Cast Announced

On August 3, 2018, it was reported that Niecy Nash, Aunjanue Ellis, Kylie Bunbury, Marsha Stephanie Blake, and Storm Reid had been cast in supporting roles for the series.

August 6, 2018: Principal Photography Begins

During the week of August 6, 2018, principal photography for the series began in New York City, with cinematography by Bradford Young.

August 10, 2018: Filming on Madison Avenue

On August 10, 2018, filming for the series took place on Madison Avenue in the East Harlem area of Manhattan.

March 1, 2019: Series Retitled and Release Date Announced

On March 1, 2019, Ava DuVernay announced that the series had been retitled When They See Us and would be released on May 31, 2019. A teaser for the series was also released.

May 31, 2019: When They See Us Premieres on Netflix

On May 31, 2019, When They See Us, a four-part American crime drama television miniseries created by Ava DuVernay, premiered on Netflix. The series is based on the 1989 Central Park jogger case.

June 12, 2019: Oprah Winfrey Special on Netflix and OWN

On June 12, 2019, Oprah Winfrey Presents When They See Us Now, a companion special featuring interviews with the cast, creator, and the exonerated five, premiered on both Netflix and the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).

June 25, 2019: Netflix Announces Viewership Numbers

On June 25, 2019, Netflix announced that When They See Us had been streamed by over 23 million viewers within its first month of release.

October 2019: Lawsuit Filed Against Netflix and DuVernay

In October 2019, John E. Reid & Associates sued DuVernay, ARRA, and Netflix because the series described the company's interrogation technique as "universally rejected."

March 2020: Linda Fairstein Files Defamation Suit

In March 2020, Linda Fairstein filed a defamation suit against Netflix, DuVernay, and Locke based on her portrayal in the series.

August 2021: District Court Allows Some Claims to Proceed

In August 2021, the District Court ruled that some of Linda Fairstein’s claims of defamation and civil conspiracy in her suit against Netflix, DuVernay, and Locke may proceed to trial.

June 4, 2024: Fairstein Settles Lawsuit

On June 4, 2024, DuVernay announced that Fairstein had settled her lawsuit shortly before it was to go to trial, and Netflix added a disclaimer into the show saying that some of it was fictionalized.