September 4, 2019 (2019-09-04) – April 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
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.[1] 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.[2][3] In November 2021, the series was renewed for a third and final season which premiered on February 15, 2023.[4]
Premise
Wu-Tang: An American Saga is set in New York City during the height of 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] The group battles against the forces that hold them down and these include their own occasional impulse to give up the fight.[8]
Staten Island, New York. Red Top. Blue Top. The birth of Wu-Tang starts with a bang. After a drive-by on Dennis Coles, he seeks revenge. His close friend, Bobby Diggs, has his eyes set on an SP-1200 drum machine.
With Divine navigating politics in prison, Dennis and Bobby step up to handle his distribution responsibilities. They scrounge up enough cash to buy a kilo of crack-cocaine from one of Divine's associates, Haze.
The death of a friend shakes Staten Island to its core. While Dennis mourns, Bobby, Gary, and Ason reminisce. Prison becomes more complicated for Divine. Haze and Cressy plan to reunite Staten Island by hosting a rap battle.
Bobby and Dennis find a new hustle to make some cream - taking a slice of Wall Street for themselves. Later, they make music with Shotgun and Ason, drawing influence from witty and unpredictable sources.
5
5
"Cold World"
Jet Wilkinson
Ryan O'Nan
September 18, 2019 (2019-09-18)
Divine returns home from prison but nothing feels the same - especially with Bobby in "charge" of the house. When Bobby cuts a track with a Shotgun, the rift between Park Hill and Stapleton grows. Infuriated, Dennis drops a track of his own.
With debts to pay, Bobby continues his pick-ups – meeting up with friend and fellow rapper, Rebel. But short on cash and desperate, Bobby and Dennis try a new angle only to find themselves in a worse situation.
Shotgun's troubled past is illuminated. With the rest of the Diggs' family moving out, Bobby and Divine must continue to hold it down. Before leaving, Jerome passes along some heartfelt advice to Divine.
Bobby embarks on his first tour with Gary and Ason and learns some harsh truths of the music business. Music might be the road to freedom but it's paved with plenty of set-backs. Industry Rule #4,080...
9
9
"I Declare War"
Craig Zisk
Zak Schwartz
October 16, 2019 (2019-10-16)
With Attila's release from prison looming over Bobby, he must act. Dennis reevaluates his ways, drawing inspiration from ancient teachings. Shurrie realizes that there are parts of Staten Island she can't leave behind.
As a mysterious tape makes the rounds of NYC, Bobby and Dennis try to figure out how to handle Attila. Sha's savvy pays off and Shurrie evaluates her options. The seeds of Wu Tang begin to sprout.
Bobby and Dennis have joined the Diggs family in Ohio, with Bobby seemingly having abandoned his ambitions around music and Dennis and Shurrie expecting their first child. However, things heat up when Bobby is cornered by his girlfriend's ex. Bobby defends himself and is urged by his mother to turn himself in and tell his truth. RZA then leaves the group
The Clan becomes disillusioned with their paths as Bobby prepares to steer them in a new direction.
14
4
"Pioneer the Frontier"
Craig Zisk
Zina Camblin
September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15)
Bobby assembles Dennis, Divine, Sha, and Power on the Staten Island ferry, asking them to squash their beef and come together as Wu-Tang Clan.
15
5
"Visionz"
Dinh Thai
Zak Schwartz
September 22, 2021 (2021-09-22)
The group works together to build out their recording studio, while simultaneously finding their harmony as collaborators. Divine utilizes his business acumen to guide Wu-Tang's branding and entity formation. Dennis prepares for Shurrie and Infinite to arrive in New York.
Following six months in the wake of the season two finale, we find RZA and the Wu-Tang Clan have moved out of Staten Island to a mansion in the woods of New Jersey. Despite the massive success of their recently released album, they've only just begun.
As an album deadline nears, RZA must reconcile with his cousin Dirty by any means necessary. Dirty, however, takes refuge at Shurrie's apartment. The friendship between Ghostface and Raekwon strengthens as they discuss a potential collaboration.
23
3
"Dirty Dancin'"
Mario Van Peebles
Michael C. Martin
February 15, 2023 (2023-02-15)
In our first allegorical movie of the season, we see Dirty take on the persona of "Dirt McGirt" in the theme of a 1970s blaxploitation film, as he finds inspiration for his first solo album, Return to the 36 Chambers.
The Wu-Tang Clan goes on a tour of the East Coast as we follow what happens between the shows on the tour bus. The guys quickly discover that living on a bus together might not be all fun, as they're forced to deal with their problems face-to-face.
25
5
"A Better Tomorrow"
Nefertite Nguvu
Zina Camblin
March 1, 2023 (2023-03-01)
Following the completion of the tour, we see the paths of a few lesser known Wu-Tang members as they search for their individual voices amongst the crowd.
In our second allegorical movie of the season, we examine Raekwon's inspiration behind his first solo album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... through the lens of 90s gangster cinema.
27
7
"Shadowboxin'"
Janice Cooke
Isabella Escalante
March 15, 2023 (2023-03-15)
In order to secure a deal for their new label, Divine must deliver on the promises he made to music executive Tommy Mottola. But upon returning to the Wu mansion, he learns that signing members and getting Dirty to feature on a song is easier said than done.
28
8
"Liquid Swords"
The RZA
The RZA
March 22, 2023 (2023-03-22)
For the third allegorical movie of the season, we follow GZA, who takes on the persona of "The Genius" as he journeys through an alternate reality New York City to unite the people using the music from his debut solo album, Liquid Swords.
In the penultimate episode of the series, Ghostface reflects on the sacrifices of his past while dealing with the bittersweet outcome of his artistic success. Meanwhile, RZA ventures to take a different approach for the Clan's next album.
30
10
"Triumph"
The RZA
Alex Tse
April 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
RZA pushes his musicianship to new heights as he creates Wu-Tang Forever with a studio orchestra, but the recording process strains the Clan. As tensions boil over during their biggest tour yet, RZA is concerned about Wu-Tang's future and legacy.
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.[7][15][16] On January 17, 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on September 8, 2021, with a three-episode release.[2][3]
On November 4, 2021, Hulu renewed the series for a third and final season.[17] On December 14, 2022, it was announced that the third and final season will premiere on February 15, 2023.[4]
Filming
Principal photography for the series commenced in February 2019 in New York City, New York.[18] Filming took place on locations in East Orange, Elmwood Park, Kearny, Newark, Paterson, Plainfield, and Secaucus in New Jersey.[19]
Release
Wu Tang: An American Saga was released internationally on Disney + Star 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.[20]
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."[21] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100 based on reviews from 4 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[22]
