Korey Wise is the devastating soul of When They See Us — the oldest of the five Black and Latino teenagers wrongfully convicted in the 1989 Central Park jogger case, and the only one tried and imprisoned as an adult. Ava DuVernay's series dramatizes the real injustice done to the young men later known as the Exonerated Five, and its final, longest chapter belongs to Korey.
His arc is the series' most harrowing. Sixteen years old and not even a suspect — he came to the precinct only to support a friend — Korey is coerced into a false confession and sentenced to adult prison, where he endures years of isolation and brutality before the real perpetrator finally confesses. The show's unflinching portrait of his ordeal, and his eventual exoneration, stands as a searing indictment of a system that failed him.
Jharrel Jerome — the only actor to play his character as both teenager and adult — won the Emmy for a shattering performance.
Key Episodes
S1 E1
Part One
The five teenagers are swept up and coerced in the 1989 case.
S1 E4
Part Four
Korey's years in adult prison and eventual exoneration anchor the finale.
Korey Wise is one of the central figures in When They See Us, a drama/crime series that aired on Netflix from 2019. Within the narrative of When They See Us, Korey Wise serves as a pivotal character whose decisions and relationships drive key story arcs throughout Limited Series (2019). The character's journey has been central to many of the show's most memorable and discussed moments.
Portrayed by Jharrel Jerome, Korey Wise has become one of the most recognizable characters in modern television. Jharrel Jerome's performance brings nuance and depth to the role, creating a character that resonates with audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Jharrel Jerome's work has been recognized with 1 major award, reflecting the critical acclaim their portrayal has received.
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Jharrel Jerome plays Korey Wise across both timelines — an Emmy-winning performance.
When They See Us is Ava DuVernay's dramatization of the wrongful conviction of the five teenagers in the 1989 Central Park jogger case — the Exonerated Five.
