Hulu's delightful UnPrisoned gets even better in season two
Everyone needs to watch Kerry Washington and Delroy Lindo in the heartfelt comedy UnPrisoned
Hulu’s niche comedies are its underrated highlight. They range from irreverent (Pen15, The Great, High Fidelity) to inclusive (This Fool, Shrill, Ramy). The platform has cultivated a wide-ranging and fun voice through them that feels oft-forgotten while discussing more high-profile originals like Only Murders In The Building or The Handmaid’s Tale. If there’s one TV show that combines all these elements—in that it’s candid, diverse, and led by two bonafide legends—it’s UnPrisoned, which returns for season two on July 16.
UnPrisoned doesn’t just fit seamlessly into the mix, it stands out because of its crystal-clear commentary and humor from the get-go. Created by Tracy McMillan and based on her experiences, it’s produced by Onyx Collective as a way to boost diverse programming. The show explores the complicated bond between the Alexander family after Edwin (Delroy Lindo) is released from prison after 17 years and reunites with his daughter, Paige (Kerry Washington), and her teen son. It’s fertile ground to discuss the aftermath of incarceration, reintroduction into society, and intergenerational trauma.
Yes, these are heavy topics, but UnPrisoned weaves through them with genuine heart. It’s hard-hitting without feeling soapy or melodramatic. The writing relies (perhaps a little too heavily) on a contemporary style to hammer this point, but the corniness works because of how palpable it feels. For example, of course, Paige is a TikTok addict who uses her follower count and going live as a way to deal with her attachment issues. But the script carefully doesn’t make her a one-note figure. Despite her arrested development and parental issues, Paige is a fully realized woman who navigates motherhood, a successful career as a therapist, and her messed-up romances while dealing with Edwin and struggling to trust him again.
Washington is best known on TV for playing Scandal’s tenacious, sly Olivia Pope. Her range is on full display in UnPrisoned as she charts Paige’s coming-of-age as an adult, going from unbridled joy at her father’s return to paranoia over what happens next and how to best protect her child from the pain she felt as a kid. It’s the kind of performance that’s easy to get lost in because of how authentic it feels. Washington is especially great in scenes with Jordyn McIntosh, who plays Paige’s younger self and pops up in a scene whenever Paige is, let’s just say, going through it.