Class of '09

Did You Know?

• The series takes place across three distinct time periods: 2009, 2023 and 2025, and 2034.
• It later debuted on Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ in other territories.

Cast and characters

Brian Tyree Henry portrays Tayo Michaels, who begins as an insurance adjuster and FBI recruit in 2009, becomes Special Agent-in-Charge in 2023, FBI Executive Assistant Director in 2025, and FBI Director in 2034. Kate Mara plays Ashley Poet, a former nurse and FBI recruit in 2009, later a Special Agent in 2023 and 2025 specializing in undercover work and serial murder investigations, and a Special Agent-in-Charge in 2034; by the series end she is a trainer at Quantico. Sepideh Moafi appears as Hour Nazari, an Iranian American FBI recruit and MIT graduate in 2009, a Special Agent in the FBI's Cybersecurity division in 2023 and 2025, and an off-grid survivalist in 2034 after resigning in protest. Brian J. Smith plays Daniel Lennix, a former lawyer and FBI recruit in 2009 who becomes FBI Associate Deputy Director in 2023 and retires by 2034 to manage his family's business. Jon Jon Briones portrays Gabriel, a Special Agent and trainer at Quantico in 2009. Brooke Smith plays Drew, a Special Agent and trainer at Quantico in 2009 and 2023. Jake McDorman appears as Murphy, a former SLCPD officer and FBI recruit in 2009 and Special Agent in 2023 and 2025. Rosalind Eleazar plays Dr. Vivienne McMahon, a civil rights attorney in 2009, Tayo's wife in 2023 and 2025, and a federal judge in 2034. Raúl Castillo portrays Amos Garcia, an AI tech entrepreneur who designed the original FBI AI system in 2023 and dies in 2034. Rasool Jahan plays Spenser, a United States Senator skeptical of the FBI's AI system in 2034. Lindsay Ayliffe appears as Shannon Fitzgerald, the FBI Director in 2025 who resigns after a terrorist attack. Dan Tracy plays Warren, a senior Bureau official who succeeds Tayo as FBI Director in 2034. Mark Pellegrino portrays Mark Tupirik, a domestic terrorist in 2009 and 2023 responsible for a major attack on FBI headquarters.

Production

On June 22, 2021, FX on Hulu ordered an eight-episode limited series created by Tom Rob Smith, who executive produced alongside Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson; Nellie Reed served as a producer. FX Productions and Color Force produced the series. Brian Tyree Henry and Kate Mara were cast at the announcement. Sunu Gonera was set to direct the pilot in August 2021. In November 2021, Raúl Castillo, Jake McDorman, Sepideh Moafi, Brian J. Smith, Jon Jon Briones, Brooke Smith, and Rosalind Eleazar joined the main cast. Steven Canals was announced to direct two episodes in March 2022.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, Class of '09 holds a 58% approval rating with an average rating of 6.3/10 based on 33 critic reviews; the critics consensus states, "Class of '09 hardly flunks out thanks to an impressive cast and intriguing structure, but anemic execution keeps this series far from being valedictorian." Metacritic assigned a score of 63 out of 100 based on 20 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews." Sage Ashford and Alexander Vance of Comic Book Resources described the series as intriguing and constructive, writing, "With insightful themes and splendid acting from the cast, Class of '09 is an appealing examination of the use of AI in the criminal justice system." Erick Massoto of Collider complimented the show's use of three distinct time periods and praised the cast performances. Brian Tyree Henry received a nomination for Outstanding Lead Performance in a TV Movie/Limited Series at the 2024 Black Reel Awards for Television and a nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.