The legal drama series “61st Street” has found a new home on The CW after being canceled by AMC Networks earlier this year. The series follows the story of Moses Johnson, played by Tosin Cole, a talented black high school athlete who is caught up in the corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. Its first season is set to air this fall, while season two, originally commissioned by AMC, will air in 2024.
The show’s cancellation by AMC came as part of a cost-cutting measure that saw the network cancel a number of renewals. However, the second season had already been filmed during the first, making it easier for the show to find another outlet. The cast of the series includes Courtney B. Vance, Aunjanue Ellis, Holt McCallany, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Mark O’Brien, and Bentley Green.
During an interview, Vance explained that he was “thrilled” that The CW had given “61st Street” a home. Meanwhile, The CW, majority-owned by Nexstar, is looking to cheaper acquisitions and non-scripted shows to bolster its programming. The strategic change by The CW is aimed at maximizing profits in the coming years.
Created by Peter Moffat, the show presents a gripping narrative of a Black teenager who was framed by the Chicago Police Department and given a 25-year sentence for a crime he did not commit. Vance believes that the show portrays a complex perspective of the criminal justice system, acknowledging that there are “great policemen and women” who do their job, but nothing can be changed until “a trust can be built”.
In conclusion, the pickup of “61st Street” by The CW provides an opportunity for a powerful storyline to be shared with a broader audience. With the TV landscape changing, it is all the more important that stories depicting the harsh realities of the criminal justice system remain in the conversation.
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