Night Time (TV Series)

The Night Of is a crime, drama, and mystery series that premiered on HBO in 2016 and examines the American justice system. It centers on the journey of a young man suspected of murder and the psychological pressure he endures within the legal system. The series is adapted from the British production Criminal Justice.

Comprising a total of eight episodes, the series has drawn attention for its narrative style and cinematic structure, receiving positive critical acclaim.

^{Still from The Night Of} IMDb⁾

The series begins after Nasir “Naz” Khan, a young Pakistani-American man living in New York, spends a night with a young woman who is later found dead. Naz is charged with murder and finds himself trapped in a complex justice system. Rather than focusing on whether the crime was committed, the series exposes how the justice system operates and how individuals are crushed within it.

The series is directed by Steven Zaillian and James Marsh. The screenplay was written by Steven Zaillian and Richard Price. Producers include Steven Zaillian, Richard Price, Jane Tranter, James Gandolfini, Peter Moffat, and Garrett Basch. Cinematography for the pilot episode was handled by Robert Elswit, while Frederick Elmes and Igor Martinović served as cinematographers for the remaining episodes. The music was composed by Jeff Russo. The production was a collaboration between BBC Worldwide Productions, Bad Wolf, and Filmrights.

• John Turturro – John Stone
• Riz Ahmed – Nasir "Naz" Khan
• Bill Camp – Dennis Box
• Michael Kenneth Williams – Freddy Knight
• Jeannie Berlin – Helen Weiss
• Payman Maadi – Salim Khan
• Poorna Jagannathan – Safar Khan
• Amara Karan – Chandra Kapoor
• Sofia Black-D'Elia – Andrea Cornish
• Paul Sparks – Don Taylor
• Ben Shenkman – Sgt. Klein
• Afton Williamson – Wiggins
• Paulo Costanzo – Ray Halle
• Ned Eisenberg – Lawrence Felder
• Mohammad Bakri – Tariq
• Nabil Elouahabi – Yusuf

The series aired on HBO from July 10 to August 28, 2016. This miniseries consists of eight episodes, each ranging from approximately 56 to 96 minutes in length. The production features a character-driven narrative with a strong emphasis on suspense.

The central theme of the series is how the concept of justice is distorted by racial and social prejudices, and how individuals perceived as “foreign” are left vulnerable within the system. Naz’s personal journey reveals that justice is not merely an ideal but a structure shaped by societal power dynamics.

The Night Of stands out for its cinematography, which reflects a dark and somber atmosphere, and its realistic dialogue. Riz Ahmed stars in the lead role, the music was composed by Jeff Russo, and Steven Zaillian directed the series. The editing structure supports the coherence of the narrative.

The series received widespread critical and audience acclaim and was nominated for awards including the Emmy Awards and Golden Globes. The Night Of, a miniseries produced by HBO, explores themes of the justice system and social prejudice.

The Night Of received numerous award nominations and wins in 2016 and 2017.

69th Primetime Emmy Awards (2017)

Golden Globe Awards