Netflix has been producing an ton of new and exciting content over the past few years. And while the streaming service has recently begun producing unscripted shows like Queer Eye or food show Ugly Delicious, its true bread and butter is the fantastic scripted content. It seems every few months brings a new release, and this week is no exception. Crime drama Seven Seconds is just hours from hitting the web in its entirety, focusing on how an accidental death can escalates already existing racial tensions. With much of the drama focusing on issues between law enforcement and African American citizens, the themes feel something close to what we've been seeing on the news. It's for this reason that actress Clare-Hope Ashitey believes now is the perfect time for Seven Seconds, recently telling me:
I think mainly because it reflects experiences that people are having everyday in this country, day in, day out. And have been for decades and decades, if not centuries and centuries. And even if not necessarily in the specifics, in the broad racial tension and geography. I think people who are going through that need to be validated by the cultural output of their country. They need to understand that someone is listening, and someone is paying attention.
Clare-Hope Ashitey seems to believe that exploring the current tensions between law enforcement and the black community will actually help to address the real life issue. Having one's experience seen on screen helps to validate their feelings, which Ashitey seems to be especially proud of. Art has been known to do crazier things, after all.
Seven Seconds seems like a series that features sympathetic characters on both sides of the central conflict. While there are law enforcement officers in the show help cover up an accidental death, the perpetrator himself is shown feeling regret in the series' trailer. Showing both sides of the tragedy will hopefully allow more bridges to be built.
This is exactly what Clare-Hope Ashitey and I spoke about at Netflix's recent press junket in New York City. The actress hopes that the series will help open people's minds to experiences that might not align with their own. She said,
On the other hand of it, people who maybe don't understand those experience or don't spend a lot of time with people who aren't like themselves should understand what's going on in their country. And should understand what's happening to their neighbors. Be those neighbors on the same street, same city, or just the same country.
We should find out how audiences respond to Seven Seconds soon enough, as the series is set to arrive in just one more day. The way that the star tells it, Netflix's new drama may just have the ability to bring people together, while also likely making them ugly cry during their binge watch.
Seven Seconds debuts February 23, 2018 on Netflix. In the meantime, check out our midseason premiere list to plan your next binge watch, our Amazon List and superhero premiere list to make sure you don't miss a single episode.
