not stop watching it. It was well deserving of its 14 Emmy nomination (and 5 wins, including Best Actor for Riz Ahmed as the naive college student whose life changed when he is accused of murder and sent to Rikers to await trial). It was part whodunnit/did he do it but was more a scathing examination of our broken, corrupt criminal justice system. If you loved The Wire, you’ll love The Night Of.
In addition to Riz Ahmed, there were stellar performance by John Turturro as Nazir’s in over his head, itchy defense lawyer and Michael Kenneth Williams as Freddy, a prisoner with privileges who protects Nazir (MKW played Omar in The Wire and Chalky in Boardwalk Empire).. Also, there’s a cat that should have gotten a supporting actor nom.
On a sad note, James Gandolfini was supposed to play the defense lawyer and even shot the pilot but passed away before they could do more. He has a posthumous Executive Producer credit and it was a passion project of his. Eventually they recast the role with John Turturro, who was excellent. Also, MKW, who is so good as Freddy, died a few years after The Night Of. Two great actors gone too soon, both dead in their early fifties.
