New show ‘The Porter’ depicts creation of North America’s first Black labour union

A new series that tells the story of the formation of the first Black labour union in North America is coming to CBC next week.

Based in the early 1920s and inspired by real events, The Porter follows train porters Junior Massey and Zeke Garrett, and their friends and families, as a tragedy on the job sets them on starkly different paths to a better life.

While Junior takes advantage of a broken system to pursue money and power in gambling and bootlegging, Zeke fights the railway to change the system from within by unionizing the Black porters.

As it becomes clear that Junior and Zeke’s goals are in direct conflict with each other, their once unbreakable bond is stretched to its limits. The series explores whether their friendship forged in the trenches of war can survive this new fight for freedom or if they have to betray each other and their community to make their dreams reality.

“When you hear The Porter, you might feel subjugated or you’re going to feel the burden of their struggle,” said Annmarie Morais, executive producer and creator.

“But it is aspirational. It is hopeful. It is saying to anyone of any race, gender and age that when you face the giants of obstacles in your life, that if you look to the examples, you can and will succeed.”

This fictional drama series is the largest Black-led production in the history of Canadian television.

The eight-episode show was co-created by Arnold Pinnock, led by showrunners Annmarie Morais and Marsha Greene, and directed by Charles Officer and RT Thorne.

It stars Aml Ameen, Ronnie Rowe Jr., Mouna Traoré, Loren Lott and Olunike Adeliyi.

“We were really blessed to have this foundation come from a Black creative team,” Morais said.

The Porter premieres in Canada on Feb. 21 at 9 p.m. on CBC TV, and will be available to stream on CBC Gem.