The first look images from the second season of critically acclaimed Brit satirical comedy “Dreaming Whilst Black” see Adjani Salmon’s aspiring filmmaker Kwabena take on diversity challenges in the world of period drama.
The show — created by Salmon and produced by A24 and Big Deal Films — will return to the BBC later this year, with Showtime once again releasing in the U.S.
While the first season of “Dreaming Whilst Black” followed Kwabena navigating racism and exploitation in the British entertainment industry to get his first feature film funded, the second sees him now at the start of his professional career in a “new era.” As per the synopsis, which appears to take a satirical stab at industry statements and promises made in the wake of the #BAFTASoWhite controversy and Black Lives Matter movement, it’s now the “age of diversity, equity and inclusion, where empowering marginalized voices are seemingly at the top of everyone’s agenda.”
But whilst the entertainment industry might look progressive from the outside, “it doesn’t feel that way to Kwabs,” it continues. “Desperate to work on a project that aligns with his values, he manages to secure a directing job for major TV series Sin and Subterfuge – a genre-busting period drama, helmed by the iconic black producer Bridgette Julienne. But has Kwabs landed the golden ticket, or did he grab a poisoned chalice?”
Returning castmembers alongside Salman include Dani Moseley as Amy, Demmy Ladipo as Maurice, Rachel Adedeji as Funmi and babirye bukilwaas as Vanessa.
Season one of “Dreaming Whilst Black” received BAFTA TV nominations for scripted comedy and male perrformance in a comedy Programme, an NAACP nomination for outstanding breakthrough creative (television) and Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations for best new scripted series and best breakthrough performance in a new scripted series. The show is adapted from the original BAFTA-winning web series co-written by Salmon and Ali Hughes and created by Salmon, Max Evans and Laura de Sousa Seixas.
Co-produced by A24 and U.K.-based indie Big Deal Films, “Dreaming Whilst Black” is executive produced by Salmon, Hughes and Big Deal Films’ Dhanny Joshi and Thomas Stogdon. The series is directed by Sebastian Thiel and Abdou Cisse, and produced by Nicola Gregory.
