Sky Atlantic’s new five-part series *Possession* blends legal drama, supernatural thriller, and historical reflection to explore Jamaica’s colonial legacy and its ongoing impact on identity and race. Written by Karla Crome and set primarily in Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, the show follows Claudia, a London-based solicitor portrayed by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who travels to the island after a wealthy client’s death to uncover details about an unexpected heir.
The estate in question, formerly a sugar plantation built on slave labor, is valued at £50 million. Claudia’s client’s son, Oliver (played by Jonny Lee Miller), expects to inherit this fortune but instead finds all assets transferred to a mysterious local man named Cudjoe East, who appeared at the estate six months prior to the sale. Cudjoe, portrayed by Sheldon Shepherd, evokes both fear and intrigue as he claims the inheritance. He is connected to a historical figure, Matthew, an enslaved man from the 18th century plantation whose story is revealed through flashbacks and who is also played by Shepherd.
The narrative intertwines events in the present day with scenes from the 1700s, showing the plantation owner’s daughter Charlotte (Bel Powley) and her complicated relationship with Matthew, who is both her half-brother and servant. These segments highlight the brutal realities of slavery, including scenes of violent punishment and forbidden familial ties. The historical and contemporary storylines overlap as Claudia experiences vivid nightmares and unsettling visions tied to the estate’s past.
The series also introduces elements of Jamaican obeah, a form of Afro-Caribbean mysticism historically suppressed and still officially banned. Obeah rituals and supernatural occurrences add a gothic atmosphere and cultural depth, suggesting that the spiritual tradition acts as a force of reckoning with the legacies of slavery and colonial exploitation. This mystical dimension contrasts with and complicates the legal and familial drama that propels the plot.
Reviewers note that *Possession* is unusual in its ambition to combine conventional thriller elements—such as jump scares and eerie imagery—with sober reflections on colonial history, race, identity, and reparations. The character of Oliver, marked by his English demeanor and sense of loss, stands in stark contrast to Cudjoe East, whose presence challenges inherited privilege. Claudia’s journey also involves personal transformation, as she reconnects with her Jamaican heritage, symbolized in part by her changing hairstyle.
While some critique the historical flashbacks and supernatural elements as occasionally overextended or convoluted, the series is recognized for its fresh approach to a subject often simplified on screen. By merging supernatural suspense with a critical exploration of history and cultural memory, *Possession* offers a provocative and atmospheric drama rooted in Jamaica’s troubled past and its reverberations today.