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Poster for The Good Lord Bird

The Good Lord Bird

Seen it?

2020 | 1 seasons | Drama, Western, War & Politics

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (98% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a lukewarm 6.7 out of 10 from audiences and a small audience. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for history buffs. If you loved Deadwood or Shōgun, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Intense.
The pace
One season: easy to finish in a weekend or two.
What might put you off
  • Rated TV-MA: expect violence.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Henry 'Little Onion' Shackleford, a newly freed teenager joins abolitionist John Brown on a holy crusade to end slavery. Onion encounters Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman, and he finds himself as a part of the famous 1859 raid at Harpers Ferry.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesBelow par

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsSolid

    Won 1 Peabody Award: Peabody Awards: Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. Also nominated for 1 Golden Globe, 1 SAG Award and 1 Critics' Choice Award. Plus 4 other awards.

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Limited series that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 312K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Created by Mark Richard, Ethan Hawke

  • Ethan HawkeJohn Brown
  • Joshua Caleb JohnsonHenry 'Little Onion' Shackleford
  • Hubert Point-Du JourBob
  • Beau KnappOwen Brown
  • Nick EversmanJohn Brown Jr.
  • Ellar ColtraneSalmon Brown
  • Jack AlcottJason Brown
  • Mo Brings PlentyOttawa Jones