Book of Negroes wins big at CSAs

Book of Negroes author Lawrence Hill and a scene from the winning  mini-series of the same name.
Book of Negroes author Lawrence Hill and a scene from the winning
mini-series of the same name.

The Book of Negroes, a six-part miniseries co-produced by the CBC, was a big winner with nine trophies at the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards.
Competing in the Dramatic Program or Limited Series category, The Book of Negroes, based on the novel of the same name by Canadian author Lawrence Hill, also gleaned:
• Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Limited Series: The Book of Negroes / CBC / Lyriq Bent.
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Series: Shailyn Pierre-Dixon / The Book of Negroes / CBC.
• Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Limited Series: Aunjanu Ellis / The Book of Negroes / CBC.
• Best Costume Design: Kate Carin / The Book of Negroes / CBC / Entertainment One.
• Best Cross-Platform Project-Fiction: The Book of Negroes Interactive / Secret Location / James Milward, Ryan Andal, Kathryn Rawson, Allen Martin, Damon D’Oliveira.
• Best Original Music Score for a Program: Phillip Miller.
Kidnapped in Africa and subsequently enslaved in South Carolina, Aminata must navigate a revolution in New York City, isolation in Nova Scotia and treacherous jungles of Sierra Leone in an attempt to secure her freedom in the 18th century.
In some countries the title was changed to “Someone Knows My Name.”
In a groundbreaking twist, the series marked the first time Jews were depicted as slave traders. It is unclear whether the producer or writer meant this controversial tidbit as fact or fiction.
The name of the book is based on one that existed that had the names of Negroes who served the British during the civil war who were then freed and sent to Nova Scotia to live.
Publishers changed the name of the book from “Book of Negroes” to “Someone knows my Name” because the term Negro is considered derogatory to many Blacks in the U.S. and sellers were hesitant to sell a book with the word in the title.