‘The Good Lord Bird’ TV Review: Ethan Hawke’s Fiery Portrait of a Revolutionary

Ethan Hawke delivers one of the most commanding performances of his career as abolitionist John Brown in The Good Lord Bird, Showtime’s seven-episode adaptation of James McBride’s award-winning novel. Blending dark comedy with poignant historical drama, the series is as bold and unpredictable as the man it portrays.

At first glance, it may feel surprising to hear Brown often referred to as “the old man” throughout the series—especially when played by Hawke, who, at nearly 50, is a decade younger than Brown was at the time of the infamous 1859 Harpers Ferry raid. But Hawke has long made aging a central part of his onscreen identity, from Boyhood to Before Midnight. His work is layered and cumulative, each performance benefiting from the passage of time. That deep well of experience pays off here in a big way.

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Hawke, Unchained

As John Brown, Hawke is nothing short of volcanic. His portrayal swings wildly between fiery speeches, manic outbursts, and quiet, soul-searching moments of introspection. It’s the kind of fearless, full-throttle performance that not many actors would dare attempt—let alone pull off. He rages, he prays, he bellows like a prophet lost in his own righteousness, and yet somehow Hawke finds the humanity beneath the madness.

This John Brown is no saint, and the series knows it. His obsessive mission to end slavery is noble but often chaotic, and at times even laughable—on purpose. The tonal balance here is risky, but it’s one of the show’s strongest qualities. The Good Lord Bird is often funny, irreverent, and yes, a bit unhinged. But in its best moments, it’s also stirring and painfully relevant.

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Meet Onion, the Real Hero

Trailler: 

Though Hawke commands the screen, the story truly belongs to Henry “Onion” Shackleford, played with wide-eyed charm by Joshua Caleb Johnson. Onion is a young boy freed—or rather, swept away—by Brown, who immediately mistakes him for a girl and never looks back. From that point on, Onion becomes the reluctant narrator of Brown’s increasingly reckless campaign.

Onion isn’t your typical heroic figure. He spends much of the series trying to escape Brown’s orbit, only to be pulled back in each time. In one standout episode, he even finds himself in a brothel, falling for a sex worker named Pie (a vibrant turn by Natasha Marc) while narrowly avoiding being forced into the same trade. Onion’s passive, frequently bewildered perspective is intentional—it reflects the absurdity and trauma of slavery and how it distorts identity, perception, and choice.

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A Colorful Cast of Historical Titans

The series also features vivid portrayals of other historical figures, most notably Frederick Douglass (played by Hamilton star Daveed Diggs), who is equal parts inspirational icon and self-absorbed diva. Diggs makes the most of limited screen time, offering monologues that rival Hawke’s for power and presence. Harriet Tubman (Zainab Jah) appears as a quiet force of moral clarity late in the series, contrasting sharply with Brown’s often clumsy zealotry.

Elsewhere, a slew of familiar faces makes brief but memorable appearances—David Morse, Keith David, and even Hawke’s daughter Maya (of Stranger Things fame), all adding layers of texture to the narrative. Hawke’s Boyhood co-star Ellar Coltrane also appears as one of Brown’s many interchangeable sons, further blurring the lines between the actor’s career and the character’s world.

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A Rollicking Ride Through History

Based closely on McBride’s original novel, The Good Lord Bird retains the book’s oddball rhythm and tonal tightrope walk. It’s both a historical drama and a satire—part tragedy, part farce. This might throw off some viewers unfamiliar with the source material, but those who stick with it will find something rare: a story that’s not afraid to make you laugh at history while still respecting its weight.

The only drawback? When Hawke is off-screen, the momentum dips slightly. Onion’s narrative voice is engaging, but not always enough to keep the fire burning in Brown’s absence. Still, these moments are brief, and the show always finds its way back to its blazing central figure.

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Final Verdict

The Good Lord Bird is a bold, blistering, and unexpectedly funny take on a moment in American history that’s often treated with unflinching solemnity. In the hands of Ethan Hawke and a creative team willing to embrace chaos, it becomes something else entirely—a mad sermon, a comic reckoning, and a timely reminder of the cost of moral clarity.

Air Date: October 4, 2020
Where to Watch: Showtime

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