The Changeling

Apollo and Emma begin as a picture-perfect couple, but when Emma vanishes without an explanation, Apollo is left shattered. As he looks for answers he peels back layers of the city and finds a version of New York where myth and menace sit next to ordinary life. He follows strange clues and meets odd allies and adversaries, chasing the truth about Emma while confronting family secrets, grief, and the strange forces that seem to tangle memory with magic. The series keeps its mysteries tight, revealing little at a time and keeping the stakes personal.

Created by Kelly Marcel and author Victor LaValle, the show premiered in 2023 and stars LaKeith Stanfield as Apollo, with Clark Backo, Adina Porter, Jared Abrahamson, and Samuel T. Herring in supporting roles. The adaptation mixes LaValle's novelistic sensibilities with a contemporary television format.

Critical reaction has been mixed to positive, reflected in a 6.53/10 user vote average from 101 votes. Reviewers have frequently singled out Stanfield's performance and the series' willingness to blend genres, while some critics wanted clearer plotting. Recurring themes include grief, parenthood, the cost of storytelling, and how folklore can reshape urban life.

The show sparked conversations about genre blending and representation, because it puts speculative elements inside a Black family drama rather than sidelining either element. Its visual choices and eerie set pieces have been shared widely online, and the casting of LaKeith Stanfield gave the series a higher profile among mainstream viewers interested in actor-driven genre pieces.

There are no major award wins listed here, and wide-reaching industry recognition appears limited so far. Still, the series has drawn attention for its acting and tone, which could translate into awards or nominations in later cycles if interest persists.