Watch Show Me a Hero

Show Me a Hero is a gripping six-part miniseries from HBO that first aired in 2015. The show is based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Lisa Belkin and explores the hotly contested issue of public housing in the Northeastern United States in the late 1980s.

The miniseries is set in Yonkers, New York, a working-class city north of Manhattan, and follows a young and idealistic city councilman named Nick Wasicsko, played by Oscar Isaac. The show starts with the race for the Yonkers mayoralty, in which Wasicsko unexpectedly wins. This was thanks to a federal court order that mandates Yonkers to build low-income housing in the predominantly white neighborhoods in order to desegregate the city's housing.

As soon as Wasicsko takes office, he's inundated with angry constituents. Yonkers residents are vehemently opposed to the idea of public housing, as they worry that it will bring drugs, crime, and lower their property values. The show portrays the animosity between the city council, led by Nick, and the advocates of public housing, led by NAACP attorney Michael Sussman (played by Jon Bernthal).

Slowly but surely, Nick begins to realize how challenging it will be to build public housing in Yonkers, a city of entrenched racism and prejudice. He also begins to see how the issue starts to take a toll on his political career, relationship with his girlfriend Nay (Carla Quevedo), and even his personal life.

The show features an all-star cast, including some beloved actors and actresses. Winona Ryder plays Vinni Restiano, a Yonkers resident, and mother who becomes a vocal opponent of the housing policy, despite the fact that she's living in public housing herself. Peter Riegert is also a standout, playing Henry Spallone, a city councilman who initially joins with the council majority but then changes his position. Clarke Peters plays an influential civil rights leader who Sussman enlists to help with the case.

Each episode of the show is very compelling, with a fantastic mix of courtroom scenes, political maneuvering, and human drama. Through Nick's story, the show explores issues of race, class, power, and the limits of political leadership.

One of the things that sets Show Me a Hero apart from other political dramas is how it portrays the grassroots movements that developed around the housing issue. The show features a diverse set of people who are passionate about the social justice implications of the policy. The residents who actively support the housing development also face a lot of pressure and opposition, as they work to build bridges between different communities.

The show is beautifully shot and uses music to great effect, with a great soundtrack composed by Nathan Larson. The period details, including the fashion and furniture, help give the show a sense of authenticity, as does the inclusion of real archival footage of the events depicted.

Overall, Show Me a Hero is a powerful and thought-provoking series that explores the complicated issues surrounding public housing development, race, and class in America. Strong performances and sharp writing make it an engaging watch, and the show raises fundamental questions about how we can work to overcome obstacles and build a more just society.

Show Me a Hero is a series that ran for 1 seasons (7 episodes) between August 16, 2015 and on HBO