“Parish”: Season 1 (2024) starring Giancarlo Esposito / Z-View

Posted on by

Parish: Season 1 (2024)

Based on: The Driver by Danny Brocklehurst, Jim Poyser
Developed by: Danny Brocklehurst, Sunu Gonera

Director: Sunu Gonera (Eps. 1-2); Laura Belsey (Eps. 3-4); Ernest Dickerson (Ep. 5); Karen Gaviola  (Ep. 6)

Teleplay: Danny Brocklehurst & Sunu Gonera and Theo Travers (Ep. 1); Theo Travers and Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado  (Ep. 2); Ashley Cardiff and Theo Travers (Ep. 3); J. David Shanks & Matt Wheeler (Ep. 4); Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado & Sunu Gonera and Theo Travers (Ep. 5 – story by Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado and Cori Uchida & Adam Lash); Theo Travers & Hanna McIntosh (Ep. 6 – story by Eduardo Javier Canto & Ryan Maldonado)

Stars: Giancarlo Esposito, Zackary Momoh, Paula Malcomson, Skeet Ulrich, Ivan Mbakop, Bonnie Mbuli, Arica Himmel, T.C. Matherne, Currie Graham, Bradley Whitford, Nicholas Logan.

Tagline: The wrong way is the only way out.

The Plot…

Gracián “Gray” Parish (Esposito) wants to be a good man.  This wasn’t always true.  Years ago, Gray was a criminal best known for his skills as a getaway driver.  But when Gray met Ros (Malcomson) he walked away from his gangster friends and never looked back.  They had a son and daughter.  Gray started a taxi/limo service.  Life was good.

Until it wasn’t.

Gray’s 16 year old son was recently gunned down in the street.  The killer never caught.

Then Gray’s best friend, fresh out of prison shows up needing a favor.  Despite his best intentions Gray is pulled in.  When things go sideways, Gray finds himself in the middle of a power struggle between the Tongais, a powerful gang into everything from drugs to human trafficking.  With cops closing in, and unable to trust anyone, Gray discovers his son’s killer may be close.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Well written, well directed and well acted.  Well, I hope we get a season two.

Parish: Season 1 (2024) rates 4 of 5 stars.