5 Upcoming Black British Films and TV Shows to Get Excited About!

Over the past few years there have been major cries for the British film and TV sector to improve on diversity and inclusion. In reaction to this movement, we have seen a rise in Black British creatives taking charge of their own narratives and bringing fresh perspectives to UK audiences. In 2020 we saw Michaela Coel shake up the industry with her award winning show I May Destroy You (BBC) as well as Andrew Onwubolu find critial success with his film Blue Story (Paramount Pictures/BBC Film). Whilst many productions were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic last year, 2021 is looking a lot brighter with promises of returning series such as The Rap Game UK (BBC) and new productions on the horizon! This list, of course, is not exhaustive but can serve as a taster of what UK creatives have to offer in the coming months and beyond. So, mark your calendars and prepare to be enticed by these upcoming gems.

DREAMING WHILST BLACK

Earlier this month the BBC announced that its new one-episode pilot, Dreaming Whilst Black will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Monday 19th April. Co-written by Adjani Salmon and Ali Huges, this semi autobiographical comedy is adapted from the award winning 9-part web series that follows Kwabena, a young, enthusiastic yet naive filmmaker as he struggles to balance his creative ambitions and his reality. Kwabena, dissatisfied with his direction in life, risks everything to make his dream of directing a break-out short film come true. The web series takes a light-hearted look at the UK screen industry and the behind-the-scene experiences of young, Black British creatives - using humour to examine discrimination, family expectation, and ambition.

Adjani Salmon: actor, co-creator, co-writer, and Executive Producer of Dreaming Whilst Black

The pilot is directed by Sebastian Theil and produced by Gina Lyons alongside Executive Producers Thomas Stogdon and Danny Joshi of Big Deal Films. Adjani Salmon is the co-creator, co-writer, Executive Producer and also stars as Kwabena alongside Dani Moseley who starred in the original web series as Amy. Babirye Bukilwa stars as Vanessa alongside Rachel Adedeji, Demmy Ladipo, Meghan Treadway and Tom Byrne - who most recently played Prince Andrew in The Crown (Netflix). The pilot also features an array of comedy talent such as Will Hislop, Alexander Owen, Toby Williams and Tom Stourton.

Dreaming Whilst Black was commissioned by Shane Allen, Director of BBC Comedy and Fiona Campbell, Controller BBC Three.

You can watch the original Dreaming Whilst Black web-series on the 4Quarter Films Youtube channel.

Pirates

Pirates is the highly anticipated directorial debut of presenter and documentary filmmaker Reggie Yates. The comedy, also written by Yates, tells the tale of three friends who drive from North to South London in search of the ultimate Millennium party on New Years Eve 1999. Elliot Edusah stars as Cappo alongside Jordan Peters as Two Tonne and Reda Elazouar who plays Kid.

The movie promises to be a ‘love letter to London’ that’ll also feature a soundtrack packed with the biggest UK garage hits of the 90s. Speaking of his first motion-picture Yates said:

“I am thrilled to be able to tell a positive story about London, the city I was born, live in and love. This film will explore the London I knew growing up and we are very lucky to have some extremely talented up and coming actors to tell this 90s-detail-heavy story. It will also make you laugh. A lot."

Reggie Yates and crew on the set of Pirates

Shooting began in February 2020 but due to the pandemic Producer Kate Norrish was forced to halt production of the £2 million film. Thankfully, production was able to pick up again in September, wrap in October and is now in post-production. The official release date is still to be announced however with Picturehouse Entertainment acquiring UK and Ireland distribution rights, it’s planned to make a full theatrical release later this year.

Pirates is produced by Polly Leys and Kate Norrish of Hillbilly Films and was developed with BBC Film. It is financed by BBC Films and BFI.

Highlife

Highlife, is a four-part, reality series that will document a group of ambitious young African and Afro-Caribbean Brits as they chase success. The show will focus on showcasing the groups communities authentically - particularly paying close attention to the balance between relationships and career goals.

When I say I’m excited about this series, you have no idea! The show is the first Black British premium reality series ever to be commissioned. What’s more, Highlife will be overseen by award-winning music video director-to-the-stars, Oladapo Fagbenle, also known as Daps, who has directed music videos for Stormzy, Sneakbo and Cardi B alongside BAFTA nominated Luti Fagbenle.

Channel 4 commissioner Vivienne Molokwu speaking about the upcoming series said:

“This four-part series represents an exciting opportunity to portray young Black Britain without a gun or gang in sight. Glossy, ambitious and unapologetic, just like its cast, this confident new series will look different both in front of and behind the camera whilst still reflecting the highs and lows of life in a way we can all relate to.”

The show is co-produced by the All3Media Label, Optomen alongside CRE8TIVE ROW. The series was commissioned by Vivienne Molokwu for Channel 4 Represents: Black to Front initiative to improve on-screen diversity. It is due to air later this year, and official date is yet to be announced.

Grime Kids

Early moment capturing Kano and Frisco spraying bars on camera

Taken from Grime Kids: The Inside Story of the Global Grime Takeover

Just this month, DJ Target revealed that his book Grime Kids is set to be adapted as a BBC Drama Series due to be released in 2022. DJ Target’s book maps out the evolution of grime music from his perspective alongside other prominent figures - charting the legendary stories and moments of grime. The adaptation will be written by Bafta nominated and Bifa winning writer Theresa Ikoko. Maintaining the essence of the original book, the series is intended be set against real-world events and will follow the rise of a fictional group of young adults growing up in the late 1990s who use grime as a form creative self-expression.

Renowned indie Mammoth Screen will be behind the production of this series and DJ Target is set to Exec Produce.

You can grab a copy of the Grime Kids at all major book retailers.

The Upper World

The Upper World is the first in a planned series of novels by Femi Fadugba and the first book is set to be released in the UK in fall 2021 via Penguin UK. Netflix has acquired the film rights last August and has attached the famed Daniel Kaluuya to produce and star.

Daniel Kaluuya and Femi Fadugba

An epic thriller set on the outskirts of time, The Upper World is about two teenagers who find themselves connected across time by a single bullet. In the film adaptation Kaluuya will play Esso, a character caught whose life is up in ends when he realises he can access worlds beyond and able to sneak glimpses of the past and the future. Meanwhile, a generation away in 2035, Rhia is unaware of the stranger she’s about to meet.

The film promises to be thrilling and full of mystery. Tendo Nagenda, VP of Netflix Film said:

“Femi Fadugba. You may not know his name, but once you’ve read The Upper World you won’t be able to forget it. That’s what happened to me after producer Eric Newman introduced me to the book. I can count on one hand the times I’ve connected with a novel so viscerally. It’s a rare feeling, made even more special when you also have the opportunity to bring such a story to life on film,”

Kaluuya will produce the project, in partnership with Screen Arcade’s Eric Newman and Bryan Unkeless, who are producing through their first-look deal at Netflix

It is inspiring to see film and TV creatives take charge and I’m hopeful that this trend will continue to pave the way for representation that is purposeful and authentic. Not only that, the impact that these productions have are so meaningful - granting entry to new actors, writers and off-screen crew. These are super exciting times, and I’m buzzing for these projects to air.