Starring John Turturro and Riz Ahmed, and directed by Zaillian from teleplays by Price and Zaillian, THE NIGHT OF delves into the intricacies of a complex New York City murder case with cultural and political overtones. The story examines the police investigation, the legal proceedings, the criminal justice system and the feral purgatory of Rikers Island, where the accused await trial for felony crimes.
These are shows where, in general, the central focus of an entire season is on a single crime. Whodunnit, and what was done? Why? How? The unpacking of the character's faults and fealty are at the center of these dramas.