For years, Lamorne Morris has been a standout in ensembles both comedic (“New Girl”) and dramatic (“Fargo”), but his next project sees the Emmy winner step into the spotlight in the titular role, starring as the lasagna-loving orange cat in Paramount+’s new animated series "Garfield."
But the upcoming remake isn’t Morris’s first foray into the world of cartoons. The actor-comedian portrayed a Black cartoonist based on series co-creator Keith Knight in "Woke," a Hulu original comedy series that saw his character having to navigate racial tensions and social realities after he develops an unexpected ability: inanimate objects begin talking to him.
The satirical, often surrealist sitcom only ran for two seasons on the streaming platform and, having premiered in September 2020, got kind of forgotten in the intensity of the COVID era. But it's a still-timely and smartly funny watch that definitely deserves a look if you missed out on it the first time around. Need more convincing? Here's why you should check out "Woke" on Hulu.
What is 'Woke' about?
Morris plays Keef Knight, a Black-American cartoonist best-known for the lighthearted work "Toast & Butter," whose life is upended after a distressing encounter with police brutality. Following that traumatic racial profiling, his PTSD manifests in a surprising and seriously funny way: Ordinary, inanimate objects begin talking to him (voiced by Cedric the Entertainer) and help him recognize the daily microaggressions and societal injustices he's been turning a blind eye to.
With this newfound awareness, Keef must figure out how to maintain his personal relationships and navigate professional successes all as a "woke" Black man in America.
Along with Morris, the half-hour comedy also features Woke Blake Anderson, T. Murph, Sasheer Zamata, Rose McIver, Aimee Garcia and JB Smoove. Knight himself developed the show alongside Marshall Todd.
Why should you watch 'Woke' on Hulu?
Unlike more traditional streaming sitcoms, "Woke" was a show that wasn't afraid to color outside the lines, entertainingly blending absurd surrealism with social commentary and live-action work with animated elements to tell a story that is all too relevant these days. And through it all, Morris deftly transitions between the comedy's absurd irreverence and its darker, more emotional subject matter.
Given that balance between genres and mediums, the Hulu comedy admittedly did need a moment to find its footing. Its first season got a satisfactory 74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critical consensus commenting, "Though 'Woke's' first season doesn't quite know what it wants to say about racism in America, its solid ensemble — led by a well-cast Lamorne Morris — and some surreal silliness make it a messy conversation worth watching." However, by the second season, it really found its rhythm, with surprising twists and great character growth, and earned an excellent 93% audience rating.
Sadly, "Woke" was cancelled after two seasons, but thankfully, you can always revisit the smart-but-silly sitcom on Hulu.
Watch "Woke" on Hulu now
