John Anderson has escaped from slavery, and is making his way through Missouri when he is stopped by plantation owner Seneca Digges. Knowing his fate if caught, Anderson flees, but is cornered by Digges and, in a desperate attempt to escape to freedom, stabs Digges. Via the Underground Railway Anderson makes his way to Detroit where, in the basement of Quaker abolitionists, he meets Uriah Wynne, another escaped enslaved man and together they plan to make their way into Canada.

Back in Missouri, due to Anderson’s actions with Digges, Anderson’s father-in-law pays a heavy price.

M.C. Cameron is being pushed to enter politics by John A McDonald while Robert Harrison is triumphantly winning cases for railway companies and monied interests. For all of his success, he is unable to curb his father’s alcoholism and other domestic issues.

We find out that Lavenia Hubbard, a black seamstress in Toronto, is creating dresses for the upper class families in Toronto including Mrs. M.C. Cameron. Lavinia is accepted by the upper classes of Toronto as her work is in great demand. However, societal racism immediately becomes apparent when her son, William, is falsely accused of stealing a white gentleman’s pocket watch.

Meanwhile, Anderson and Wynne attempt to cross the Detroit River. The waters become rough, Wynne can’t swim and the attempt at escape becomes a moment of life and death. Anderson tells Wynne about the stabbing of Seneca Diggs.

Episode 2

It’s seven years later and Wynne and Anderson are no longer friends. Anderson is arrested when Wynne reveals to the police what Anderson had told him about stabbing Seneca Digges. Harrison’s daughter Ada dies and Harrison’s father doesn’t attend the funeral. The black community in Toronto is shaken by Anderson’s arrest.A lawyer, Samuel Freeman, is assigned to represent Anderson. He is overwhelmed by the case and approaches M.C. Cameron to help him.

Episode 3

Samuel Freeman has initial courtroom success when Anderson is released from prison due to a lack of evidence. However, almost immediately Anderson is being hunted in Ontario by American slave catchers. Anderson’s pastor, Reverend Hawkins, hides him in the church as a short term solution. Harrison and his wife are distraught by the loss of their child. Then Harrison’s father dies. M.C. Cameron’s wife, Charlie, is told about the Anderson case from her seamstress Lavinia Hubbard.

Episode 4

Anderson is caught by slave catchers and held in custody in Simcoe for an extradition hearing. The black community protests his arrest. Magistrate Matthews orders that Anderson be brought to Brantford so he can conduct the extradition hearing himself. Reverend Hawkins hears of this and sends word to Freeman. However Anderson is unable to have any visitors on Matthews orders. Freeman is overwhelmed by the case and approaches M.C. Cameron to help him. M.C. Cameron assures Freeman that he can handle the case and declines to act as co-counsel.

Episode 5

A hearing is conducted in Brantford by Magistrate Matthews. Matthews demonstrates a highly racist attitude. Witnesses from Missouri are called to give evidence, including Benjamin, the son of Seneca Digges who was present at the time of the stabbing. When asked to identify Anderson, we learn about what really happened during the day of the stabbing. Despite the admission of inadmissible evidence, Matthews finds that Anderson should be extradited to Missouri. Lavenia steps out of her role as a mere seamstress and addresses the plight of John Anderson with both Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Harrison.

Episode 6

The case of John Anderson is a cause celebre throughout Canada, in America and in the United Kingdom. Mosely Hubbard, who works for The Globe, urges George Brown to publish as much as they can about Anderson’s story, in order to generate public support and convince John A. Macdonald not to sign the extradition order. John A Macdonald, sensing the public mood pays Samuel Freeman’s fees to bring the matter before the Court of Queen’s bench and then instructs Harrison to lose the case on purpose. These instructions are contrary to Harrison’s competitive nature. Freeman again seeks to persuade M.C. Cameron to be co-counsel on the case with him. M.C. again declines.

Episode 7

Anderson is transferred to Toronto to have the case heard before the Court of Queens Bench. As it is evident that the hearing is going poorly Anderson seeks permission to speak on his own behalf. A few weeks later a decision is rendered. It is ordered that Anderson be extradited. The black community protest outside Osgoode Hall. Lavenia speaks to Anna Harrison about the injustice caused by Robert Harrison’s advocacy. Anna agrees and there is a rift in the Harrison household. Charlie Cameron convinces M.C. Cameron to be co-counsel representing Anderson. He obtains an order for a writ of habeas corpus from the Canadian Court of Common Pleas. British abolitionists, outraged by the judicial decision and seeking to avoid Anderson’s extradition, obtain a habeas corpus order directing that Anderson be sent to London, England. The English order is seen as an affront to Canadian sovereignty and the fate of John Anderson ceases to be the focus of public attention.