Dreaming Whilst Black is co-written by and stars new talent, Adjani Salmon.
Dreaming Whilst Black is adapted from the hugely popular web series co-written by Salmon and Ali Hughes (A Fistful Of Candy) and has been produced by Big Deal Films (Craig & Danny: Funny, Black and on TV), one of the UK’s leading diverse led scripted and unscripted production companies, who recently joined Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund.
Loosely inspired by real-life events, Dreaming Whilst Black follows aspiring filmmaker Kwabena (Adjani Salmon) in and out of reality as he tries to make it in Babylon. With the echoes of his family’s disappointment at his chosen career in his ears and complicated personal life to navigate, can Kwabena scale all of the hurdles laid out in front of him to get his script commissioned?
Salmon said: “After such a phenomenal response to the web series, where we found an audience who really connected to Kwabena’s journey, I’m happy we’ve made our show for TV. I’m excited to share this story with our earliest and new audiences alike.”
BBC Commissioning Editor Sarah Asante said: “The story and experiences behind Dreaming Whilst Black should resonate with young audiences with aspirations to enter arts and media spaces. The semi-fictional depiction of the journey towards recognition and finally making it is so on point, most viewers will relate to the rollercoaster adventures of our leading man.”
Executive Producer Dhanny Joshi, Big Deal Films said: “Dreaming Whilst Black is a once in a lifetime show that you get to make as a producer. It will have you laughing, put you to tears, give you hope and hit you in the face with the reality check you didn’t see coming. Adjani’s performance as Kwabena is utterly mesmerising. The underdog has just been re-defined and we come to realise that as we dream, we all have a little Kwabena in us. We are proud to be part of Adjani’s journey.”
The cast of Dreaming Whilst Black includes Dani Moseley (Brothers With No Game), who starred in the original web series, Babirye Bukilwa (We Hunt Together), Rachel Adedeji (Hollyoaks), Demmy Ladipo (The Last Tree), Meghan Treadway (Flack, Series 1 & 2) and Tom Byrne (The Crown), with prolific comedy stars such as Will Hislop (Gangs of London), Alexander Owen (one half of comedy duo The Pin, Jurassic World Three), Toby Williams (Sex Education) and Tom Stourton (Stath Lets Flats) rounding out the cast.
The original web series was co-written by Salmon and Ali Hughes and was created by Adjani Salmon, Max Evans, Laura de Sousa Seixas and Natasha Jatania.
Dreaming Whilst Black was commissioned by Shane Allen, Director of BBC Comedy and Fiona Campbell, Controller BBC Three. Adjani Salmon is the co-creator, co-writer, executive producer and star of the Comedy Slice, with Gina Lyons (In My Skin) producing and Sebastian Thiel (Just A Couple) directing. The Executive Producers are Adjani Salmon, Thomas Stogdon and Dhanny Joshi for Big Deal Films. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Sarah Asante. The Casting Director is Heather Basten.
Dreaming Whilst Black will be available on BBC Three via iPlayer Monday 19th April