Wu-Tang: An American Saga is an American biographical drama television series created by RZA and Alex Tse which premiered on September 4, 2019, on Hulu. The show portrays a fictionalized account of the formation of the Wu-Tang Clan. In January 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 8, 2021. In November 2021, the series was renewed for a third and final season which premiered on February 15, 2023. Set in New York City during the crack epidemic in the United States in the early 1990s, it follows Bobby Diggs as he unites a dozen young men who are torn between music and crime.
Contents
Premise
Wu-Tang: An American Saga is set in New York City during the crack epidemic in the United States in the early 1990s. It follows the Wu-Tang Clan's formation, a vision of Bobby Diggs aka The RZA (Sanders), and its rise amid the dangers and excesses that came with the epidemic. Seeking his own way out, Diggs turns to rap in order to carve a path to fame going against his older brother Divine (Martinez), who favored the drug trade as the means to giving their family a better life. The story depicts how it all came together for the clan as Diggs unites a dozen young men who are torn between music and crime. The group battles against the forces that hold them down and these include their own occasional impulse to give up the fight.
Cast
Main
Ashton Sanders as Bobby "RZA" Diggs
Shameik Moore as Corey "Raekwon" Woods
Siddiq Saunderson as Dennis "Ghostface Killah" Coles
Julian Elijah Martinez as Mitchell "Divine" Diggs
Marcus Callender as Oliver "Power" Grant
Erika Alexander as Linda Diggs
Zolee Griggs as Shurrie Diggs
David "Dave East" Brewster as Clifford "Method Man" Smith
TJ Atoms as Russell "Ol' Dirty Bastard" Jones
Johnell Xavier Young as Gary "GZA" Grice
Joey Bada$$ (season 1) / Uyoata Udi (seasons 2-3) as Jason "Inspectah Deck" Hunter
Damani Sease as Lamont "U-God" Hawkins
JaQwan J. Kelly as Jamel "Masta Killa" Irief
Recurring
Malcolm Xavier as "Haze", based on Ernest "Kase" Sayon. (season 1)
Moise Morancy as Treach
Caleb Castille as Darryl "Cappadonna" Hill
Trayce Malachi as young Bobby Diggs
Jaidon Walls as young Divine Diggs
Vincent Pastore as Fat Larry
Anthony Chisholm as Old Chess Player
Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Jah Son (season 1)
Ebony Obsidian as Nia
Stephen McKinley Henderson as Uncle Hollis
Natalie Carter as Miss Gloria
Robert Crayton as Attila (season 1)
Bokeem Woodbine as Jerome
Jamie Hector as Andre D Andre (season 1)
Jason C. Louder as Cressy (Season 1)
Justus Davis-Graham as Randy Diggs
Gbenga Akinnagbe as John "Mook" Gibbons
Samuel McKoy-Johnson as Darius Coles
Amyrh Harris as Darren Coles
Jake Hoffman as Steve Rifkind
Martin Fisher as Head Janitor
La La Anthony as Tracy Waples (season 2)
Guest
Christian Combs as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs
Wavyy Jones as Christopher "Biggie Smalls" Wallace / The Notorious B.I.G.
Kelsey Caesar as Nasir "Nas" Jones
Louis Gomez as Joseph "Fat Joe" Cartagena
Joshua Grant as Lamont "Big L" Coleman
Saeed Muhammad as Trevor "Busta Rhymes" Smith Jr.
Keith Johnson as Erick Sermon
Sedly Bloomfield as Major Harris
James Adam Tucker as Wilbert Hart
Nate Bynum as William Hart
Xolo Maridueña as King Tech
Ryan O'Nan as Tommy Mottola
Episodes
Production
Development
On October 11, 2018, it was announced that Hulu had given the production a series order consisting of ten episodes. The series was created by RZA and Alex Tse, both of whom were expected to write for the series and executive produce alongside Brian Grazer, Merrin Dungey, and Method Man. Consulting producers were set to consist of Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, Masta Killa, and GZA as well as the estate of Ol' Dirty Bastard. Production companies were slated to include Imagine Television. On January 17, 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 8, 2021, with a three-episode release.
On November 4, 2021, Hulu renewed the series for a third and final season. On December 14, 2022, it was announced that the third and final season will premiere on February 15, 2023.
Filming
Principal photography for the series commenced in February 2019 in New York City, New York. Filming took place on locations in East Orange, Elmwood Park, Kearny, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, and Secaucus in New Jersey.
Release
Wu Tang: An American Saga was released internationally on Disney+ via the Star hub in selected territories.
Reception
Audience viewership
According to Parrot Analytics, which looks at consumer engagement in consumer research, streaming, downloads, and on social media, Wu-Tang: An American Saga was the 10th most in-demand United States streaming series, during the week of September 11, 2021 to September 17, 2021.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 74% based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 7.10/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "While not quite as impressive as its legendary subject matter, An American Saga is a beautifully rendered and raw exploration of the Wu-Tang journey." On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100 based on reviews from 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".