A brand new series based on Stephen L. Carter’s novel of the same name, Emperor of Ocean Park, is debuting on MGM+ on July 14th. Sherman Payne is bringing the series to life as the showrunner that sees Forest Whitaker, Grantham Coleman, and Tiffany Mack starring in the series. Is the series worth checking out? I share my thoughts on the pilot episode and let you know if it’s worth checking out.

Emperor of Ocean Park Plot

Emperor of Ocean Park is set in the worlds of politics, elite academia, and the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard. It follows Talcott Garland (Grantham Coleman), an esteemed law professor whose quiet life is shattered when his father, Judge Oliver Garland, dies of an apparent heart attack. The nature of the judge’s death is questioned by Tal’s sister, Mariah, a former journalist and inveterate conspiracy theorist, who believes that the judge, a failed Black nominee to the Supreme Court, met with foul play.

Emperor of Ocean Park Review

The pilot’s foundation lays out everything the series’ synopsis points out, from who Judge Oliver Garland was and what he stood for to his untimely passing and the mystery behind his death. After Judge Garland’s kids read over their father’s will, things among them get sticky as we unpack their relationship, which isn’t great.

Throughout the episode, you notice that each person withholds information about not just their lives but also how Judge Garland’s passing will affect the kids. His daughter Mariah begins to question the idea of her father’s passing, and those around her think she is crazy, but she keeps pushing forward. Of course, you can expect more about this during the season based on how we see the events play out within the episode.

The acting within the pilot is strong, and you can expect that with this star-studded cast that all play their parts within the episode with perfection. The balance of the past and present transition was nicely done so you could see the timeframe, where you are never second guessing where you are within the story.

Emperor of Ocean Park worth watching?

Overall, Emperor of Ocean Park is the latest series from MGM+ that features stellar acting, writing, and delivery, which makes you want more. Not only do I recommend checking out the series, but I also recommend adding this to your weekly watch list, as you need to make sure not to miss an episode. Between this and Hotel Cocaine, MGM+ continues to be a sleeper streaming platform.