When They See Us tells the harrowing true story of the Central Park Five and their wrongful convictions thanks to a major miscarriage of justice. Made up of Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam and Antron McCray, the Central Park Five were teenagers arrested, sentenced and later exonerated for their parts in the rape and assault of a jogger in New York back in 1989. With the exception of Wise, all four men are portrayed by both teen and adult actors in the series, but Jharrel Jerome tackles both parts of his life, leaving some When They See Us viewers wondering why.
Korey Wise is played by 21-year-old actor Jharrel Jerome, both as a 16-year-old teen in 1989 and a 29-year-old man in 2002.
When They See Us employed two different actors for each of the other Central Park Five members.
Antron McCray is played by Caleel Harris as a teen, then Jovan Adept as an adult.
Kevin Richardson is portrayed by the inexperienced yet talented Asante Blackk as a youngster, then Justin Cunningham following his release.
Yusef Salaam is played by both Ethan Herisse and Chris Chalk in younger and older form, respectively.
Raymond Santana’s story was told through Marquis Rodriguez as a youth and Freddy Miyares as an inmate.
Jerome has since explained why creator Ava DuVernay took this approach with his character.
WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN ANTRON MCCRAY AND HIS DAD?
When They See Us: Jharrel Jerome as teenage Korey Wise (Image: Netflix)
Jerome told HipHollywood: “I auditioned for Young Korey but I had this hair on my face because I was doing a project.
“She [DuVernay] liked the tape but she was like, ‘I can’t see it, can you shave your face?’
“I couldn’t because I was locked on to the other contract. So I had to wait months
