61st Street season 1: next episode, trailer, cast and everything we know about the crime drama

Courtney B. Vance as Franklin Roberts in 61st Street
Courtney B. Vance as Franklin Roberts in 61st Street (Image credit: AMC)

With two-time Emmy-winning actor Courtney B. Vance and Oscar-nominated actress Aunjanue Ellis leading the way, 61st Street season 1 is a riveting new AMC drama. 

The Peter Moffat (Your Honor) project is a thought-provoking series that forces viewers to continue talking about the systemic injustice and racial biases that exist in American culture. Moffat, a BAFTA award-winning writer and producer, is no stranger to shining a light on flaws in criminal justice systems as evidenced in his previous British television show Criminal Justice

Additionally, joining Moffat as an executive producer on 61st Street is Michael B. Jordan. Fans of the Creed actor will recall he also has experience with telling stories in this genre as he received celebratory reviews for his work in Just Mercy. Based on the muscle in front and behind the camera, there are certainly mounting expectations for the AMC show. 

Here’s everything we know about 61st Street season 1.  

When is the next 61st Street season 1 episode? 

61st Street season 1 premiered on Sunday, April 10, at 10 pm ET/PT on AMC. The remainder of the season's episodes continue to debut on AMC, AMC Plus and ALLBLK every Sunday. 

Additionally, there’s good news for those with subscriptions to AMC Plus and ALLBLK, subscribers will have access to new episodes one week early.

The next episode actually serves as the season finale and airs on Sunday, May 29, and is titled "Man on Fire." Here is a synopsis for the episode: 

"Franklin faces a setback. Moses takes the stand. A verdict is read."

61st Street plot

Courtney B. Vance as Franklin Roberts and Tosin Cole as Moses Johnson in 61st Street

Courtney B. Vance and Tosin Cole in 61st Street (Image credit: George Burns/AMC)

AMC describes the 61st Street premise by stating: 

"The story follows Moses Johnson (Tosin Cole), a promising black high school athlete, who is swept up into the infamously corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. Taken by the police as a supposed gang member, he finds himself in the eye of the storm as police and prosecutors seek revenge for the death of an officer during a drug bust gone wrong. Franklin Roberts (Vance) is a public defender in the twilight of his career serving the busiest courthouse in America.

After promising his wife he’d retire to spend more time with their 17-year-old autistic son, Franklin realizes Moses Johnson is the case of a lifetime, one that can upend the entire Chicago judicial system, challenging the institutional racism and endemic corruption at its heart. Timely and provocative, 61st Street is set against the systemic abuse happening in some of our country’s most vulnerable communities."

61st Street season 1 cast 

Courtney B. Vance as Franklin Roberts and Aunjanue Ellis as Martha Roberts

Courtney B. Vance and Aunjanue Ellis in 61st St (Image credit: James Washington/AMC)

There is a lot of anticipation building for 61st Street as Courtney B. Vance and Aunjanue Ellis are leading the cast. Viewers of HBO’s Lovecraft Country will remember the pair gave quite the performances on the series as George and Hippolyta Freeman. The performances earned them both Emmy nominations, and Vance the win. 

Vance himself has enjoyed quite a successful career in Hollywood. Some of his most recent notable work includes starring as C.L. Franklin in Genius and Johnny Cochran in The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story

Ellis also is a very celebrated actress who was nominated for an Oscar for her performance as Oracene 'Brandy' Williams in King Richard, and received rave reviews as Dr. Mattie Moss Clark in The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel

Joining these two as a part of the main 61st Street cast are Tosin Cole (Doctor Who), Bentley Green (Snowfall), Andrene Ward-Hammond (Your Honor), Holt McCallany (Blue Bloods), and Killian Scott (Dublin Murders). 

61st Street season 1 trailer 

While on the surface there may not necessarily be anything nuanced about the story of police corruption, the performances offered by the cast in the 61st Street trailer are enough to grab our attention.  

How to watch 61st Street season 1 

61st Street is an AMC original series. Those hoping to follow the series can either watch the drama live on AMC, or subscribe to AMC Plus or ALLBLK. 

Don’t have traditional cable? No worries, as AMC is accessible on multiple live TV streaming services including Sling TV, Fubo TV and YouTube TV

While we don't yet know when 61st Street will air in the UK, it's likely UK viewers can access AMC via BT TV if they have a subscription to the service. Other methods of watching the series in the UK have not yet been disclosed. 

Terrell Smith

Terrell Smith has a diverse writing background having penned material for a wide array of clients including the federal government and Bravo television personalities.  When he’s not writing as Terrell, he’s writing under his pseudonym Tavion Scott, creating scripts for his audio drama podcasts. Terrell is a huge fan of great storytelling when it comes to television and film. Some of his favorite shows include The CrownWandaVision, Abbot Elementary and Godfather of HarlemAnd a fun fact is he's completely dialed into the TLC 90 Day Fiancé universe.