In the event you’re on the lookout for one thing thrilling to binge over the vacation weekend, Duster on Max ought to be on the prime of your record. Not solely as a result of it’s a quick paced journey every episode, but it surely additionally stars a fictional HBCU graduate as its foremost character.
Set within the gritty, fast-paced world of Seventies Arizona, Duster is a slick crime thriller created by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan. The sequence follows the unlikely partnership between getaway driver Jim Ellis (Josh Holloway) and FBI agent Nina Hayes, brilliantly portrayed by Rachel Hilson.
The HBCU connection in mainstream media
However right here’s the place it will get particularly fascinating for HBCU followers—Nina Hayes is written as a proud fictional graduate of Morgan State College. In early episodes she shows a Morgan State espresso cup on her desk and tells her backstory of coming from Baltimore and graduating from MSU. This inventive selection subtly weaves HBCU illustration into mainstream storytelling, including depth and pleasure to her trailblazing character.
Then there’s Keith David. In the event you don’t dig his deep voice and intense facial expressions, we’ll must query your style in leisure. David performs the highest villain within the sequence, however you’ll be able to’t assist having fun with his character’s persona and struggling to root in opposition to him. A minimum of this viewer did.
Impressed by Actual Historical past, However Not Primarily based on It
Whereas Duster isn’t primarily based on a real story, it’s loosely impressed by the groundbreaking lifetime of Sylvia Mathis, who grew to become the primary Black feminine FBI agent in 1976. The sequence captures the essence of her barrier-breaking journey, imagining what a Black feminine FBI agent’s life might need regarded like within the early ‘70s, although the storyline and characters are totally fictional.
Why You Ought to Watch
Excessive-speed chases, undercover operations, and sharp FBI technique.
Robust HBCU connection by way of Nina Hayes, a Morgan State alum who makes use of her mind, grit, and braveness to problem systemic crime.
Prime-tier chemistry between Rachel Hilson and Josh Holloway, bringing each depth and coronary heart to the display.
Visually wealthy Seventies setting, delivering all of the retro vibes with a contemporary storytelling tempo.
Critics have praised the present’s fashionable execution, sharp dialogue, and dynamic character arcs. Whether or not you’re in it for the motion, the cultural callbacks, or the refreshing tackle crime dramas, Duster gives one thing particular.
The place to Watch:
Stream Duster now on Max.