FreeRayshawn

Last updated
#FreeRayshawn
Genre Crime drama
Written byMarc Maurino
Directed by Seith Mann
Starring
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes15
Production
Executive producers
  • Antoine Fuqua
  • David Boorstein
  • Kat Samick
  • Justin Bursch
  • Seith Mann
  • Marc Maurino
Production companies
Original release
Network Quibi
ReleaseApril 13 (2020-04-13) 
April 29, 2020 (2020-04-29)

#FreeRayshawn (stylized as #freerayshawn) is an American series written by Marc Maurino and directed by Seith Mann that debuted on Quibi on April 6, 2020. [1]

Contents

Premise

Rayshawn Morris, an African-American Iraqi War veteran, finds himself holed up in his apartment along with his family after an altercation with overzealous NOPD cops. As he prepares to make his last stand, Rayshawn turns to social media and the help of a sympathetic police lieutenant for him to try to clear his name.

Cast

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [2]
1"What Are You Doing Here?" Seith Mann Marc MaurinoApril 13, 2020 (2020-04-13)
On the run from police, former Iraqi War veteran Rayshawn Morris hides out in his apartment with his wife Tyisha and 5 year-old son Rayshawn "RayRay" Jr. In their attempt to leave the building, the family encounters responding officer Steven Poincy
2"Clear the Building"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 13, 2020 (2020-04-13)
With nowhere to run to, Rayshawn's family is forced to barricade themselves in the apartment. As the building is cleared out, Rayshawn uses social media to explain the situation until a mishap causes police to open fire.
3"Get Away From the Windows"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 13, 2020 (2020-04-13)
4"Put the Brother On the Phone"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 14, 2020 (2020-04-14)
5"Face to Face"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 15, 2020 (2020-04-15)
6"It's Ok to Be Scared"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 16, 2020 (2020-04-16)
7"I'm Not a Negotiator"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)
8"No Way Back"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 20, 2020 (2020-04-20)
9"They All Want Me Dead, Don't They?"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 21, 2020 (2020-04-21)
10"He's Telling the Truth"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 22, 2020 (2020-04-22)
11"Black or Blue"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 23, 2020 (2020-04-23)
12"Fire in the Hole"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 24, 2020 (2020-04-24)
13"It's Time to Go"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 27, 2020 (2020-04-27)
14"It's your Lucky Day, Marine"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 28, 2020 (2020-04-28)
In a flashback before the events of the series, Rayshawn gets caught up in a drug deal that leads to his fight for survival.
15"He Just Wanted To Be Heard"Seith MannMarc MaurinoApril 29, 2020 (2020-04-29)
Unable to maintain his stress, Rayshawn lashes out at Trout and the police while SWAT escorts his family to safety.

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2020 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Laurence Fishburne Won [3]
Stephan James Nominated
Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Jasmine Cephas Jones Won
2021 Casting Society of America Short Form SeriesJessica Kelly, Mary Vernieu and Brent CaballeroWon [4]
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or DramaFreeRayshawnWon [5]
Outstanding Performance in a Short-Form SeriesJasmine Cephas JonesNominated
Laurence FishburneWon
Stephan JamesNominated
Writers Guild of America Awards Original & Adapted Short Form New MediaMarc MaurinoWon [6]

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References

  1. Pearson, Ben (March 27, 2020). "Everything Coming to Quibi in April, Including '50 States of Fright', 'Dishmantled', and Much More". Slashfilm. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  2. "Shows A-Z - #freerayshawn on quibi". The Futon Critic . Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  3. "#FreeRayshawn". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  4. Lewis, Hillary (January 8, 2021). "Artios Awards: Casting Directors for 'The Boys,' 'Pose,' 'Watchmen' Among TV Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  5. "52nd NAACP Image Awards: The Nominees". NAACPImageAwards.net. NAACP signage Awards. February 2, 2021. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  6. Schneider, Michael (February 3, 2021). "Writers Guild Unveils 2021 TV Award Nominees". Variety. Retrieved February 3, 2021.