X

2019
OWN

2019
OWN

Summary David (Akili McDowell), a 14-year-old from the Florida projects attends a magnet school for academically gifted kids created and must decide whether to take advantage of his opportunity or return to the life as the neighborhood drug dealer in this drama series based on the life of series creator and co-writer by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Drama

Created By: Tarell Alvin McCraney

2019
OWN

2019
OWN

David Makes Man

Season 1 Premiere: Aug 14, 2019

Metascore Universal Acclaim Based on 14 Critic Reviews

81

User Score Mixed or Average Based on 9 User Ratings

5.8

My Score

Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary David (Akili McDowell), a 14-year-old from the Florida projects attends a magnet school for academically gifted kids created and must decide whether to take advantage of his opportunity or return to the life as the neighborhood drug dealer in this drama series based on the life of series creator and co-writer by Tarell Alvin McCraney.

Drama

Created By: Tarell Alvin McCraney

Where to Watch

All Seasons

10 Episodes • 2019

10 Episodes • 2021

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Universal Acclaim Based on 14 Critic Reviews

93% Positive
13 Reviews

7% Mixed
1 Review

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

Metascore

Universal Acclaim Based on 14 Critic Reviews

93% Positive
13 Reviews

7% Mixed
1 Review

0% Negative
0 Reviews

All Reviews
Positive Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Negative Reviews

Aug 14, 2019

One of the most transcendent stories on television this year.

By Alexis Gunderson FULL REVIEW

Sep 4, 2019

In the end, this show may wind up going the way of Rectify, an almost pure form of character drama in which storylines take a backseat to the sheer pleasure of watching a human being evolve before one’s eyes, as David Young does on David Makes Man. Either way, I know I'll be watching.

By Aaron Barnhart FULL REVIEW

Jun 22, 2021

Patterson is so astonishingly good at channeling the specific energy, tics, and speech patterns McDowell spent Season 1 developing for David—as are Arlen Escarpeta as Adult JG (originated by Cayden K. Williams) and Erica Luttrell as Adult Marissa (originated by Lindsey Blackwell)—that I’m willing to be convinced. If you were a fan of David Makes Man when it first premiered, I hope you’re willing to be convinced, too.

By Alexis Gunderson FULL REVIEW

Aug 13, 2019

The show endows its hero with a complex internal life. ... It’s impossible to predict, based on the five languidly paced episodes sent to critics, where the show will end up–but McCraney seems too invested in the people around David to leave them behind. Even as it immerses us in his subjectivity, David Makes Man builds vivid, sympathetic supporting characters.

By Judy Berman FULL REVIEW

Mar 11, 2019

This viewer, at least, remains curious and eager to see more of David’s story, one that is told with élan and confidence and played with preternatural skill.

By Daniel D'Addario FULL REVIEW

Jun 21, 2021

The early episodes don’t feel quite as immersive and powerful as the respective stage of Season One. But the new actors are terrific.

By Alan Sepinwall FULL REVIEW

Jul 8, 2021

It is disappointing to report that the first three episodes of Season 2, which premièred in June, denature much of what made Season 1 a non-normative surprise. I’m not bothered by the “This Is Us” time jump, to a couple of decades into the future—it’s the general decline in quality. The dialogue, which had been so poetic and fascinatingly oblique, now seems insecure and utilitarian.

By Doreen St. Félix FULL REVIEW

See All 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

User Score

Mixed or Average Based on 9 User Ratings

44% Positive
4 Ratings

33% Mixed
3 Ratings

22% Negative
2 Ratings

User Reviews

User Score

Mixed or Average Based on 9 User Ratings

44% Positive
4 Ratings

33% Mixed
3 Ratings

22% Negative
2 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

Production Company:

Page Fright
Warner Horizon Television

Initial Release Date: Aug 14, 2019

Number of seasons: 2 Seasons

Genres:

Drama

Awards

Peabody Awards

• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

Gotham Awards

• 1 Nomination

Critics Choice Awards

• 1 Nomination

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