Back in 2018 Adjani Salmon created a web series comedy series of the same name, (I reviewed that too) on a lower budget, now it's back. Essentially remade for a main stream / wider release, with co-production funding from the BBC & A24 and co-created by Max Evans and Natasha Jatania.
The basic story is the same - Kwabena (played by Salmon) is a young aspiring black film maker, working in a day job he hates, where his predominantly white workmates want to drag him to do rap duo karaoke on a Friday night after work, while he struggles to stay creative. He lives with his brother (Demmy Ladipo) whose partner is awaiting the birth of their baby. Meanwhile a chance meeting with old friend Amy (Dani Moseley, more on her later) leads to the possibility of funding for Kwabs passion project 'Jamaica Road' , a love story based on the lives of his Grandparents who were part of the Windrush generation. A film funding organisation is interested, but real life events force him to compromise his art and take on a different subject matter or in order to get his work noticed. Rotating around this are a number of other subplots including Kwabena's love interest with Funmi (Babirye Bukilwa) and Amy's struggles to be valued at work for the right reasons.
So is it any good? In a word, or two words in fact - It's excellent.
Dreaming Whilst Black doesn't differ hugely from the original series, in terms of content, tone or narrative. The bigger budget allows for more seasoned actors in certain cameos or supporting roles, but this is basically the same show with some extra bells and whistles on, and with the original concept already so well realised, it is all the better for it.
I can only imagine the battles Adjani would have had to keep his vision of this show consistent with so many cooks on board overseeing this new version. No doubt with the likes of independent and much respected (and loyal) producer, Nicola Gregory by his side, that process would have far less challenging than it might have been. It's also clear to me that Ajani fought hard to keep on many of his original cast and again, this is a massive positive for the series and the show allows an array of talented younger actors to really show their abilities. The supporting cast here, including the many cameos are extremely well played (so props to Casting Director Heather Basten for a great job) - special mentions to Babirye Bukilwa, Will Hislop, Alexander Owen, Akemnji Ndifornyen, Tom Byrne (I can see that film being made) and Toby Williams. The young cast is backed by seasoned veterans like Jo Martin (whom I still want to see play Doctor Who for a full season) Martina Laird, Jessica Hynes, Peter Serafinowicz, and Roger Griffiths. However the two stand out actors in this show for me are Dani Moseley, whose portrayal of Amy is effortless - No one wants to be on the receiving end of her dagger eyes! A subplot revolving around educating the young on Britains role in Colonialism and slavery is extremely well handled. Amy's storyline is just as interesting as that of our lead. Its to the shows credit that both characters get this much room to breathe. The young rapper who plays Kwabena's cousin, Daniel Ogbeide-John is also excellent and I suspect has a long career ahead of him.
The show is also beautifully shot, with Nathalie Pitters & Second Unit Director Dean Charles, giving the show a consistent feel. The costumes by Jodie-Simone Howe are off the charts, and add a great layer to the characters.
But I must give highest praise to the shows creators, and production team. The series manages, very successfully I might add, to juggle the switching tones of the story extremely well. One minute we're covering a topic about clash of Caribbean & Nigerian cultures, later someone's life hangs by a thread in hospital, and you're right there with them. Few shows could change gears that quickly so successfully, but this show does it with ease. The main characters all feel believable and the conflicts among friends are bubbling away, I can see a much is subtly being set up for the second season. Much of the off beat humour reminded me of the whacky 1980s comedy Better Off Dead, with John Cusack - and those jokes landed surprisingly well, from dreaming potential outcomes of an argument mid scene to talking babies and split future personas of the leading character.
If I have any criticism of a show which is taking on racial stereo typing full on in the face in a modern culturally diverse London, it is this. I had to watch the series twice to check this was true - Literally every single supporting white character is either racist, unintentionally racist, offensive, patronising, self entitled, or just plain dumb. I know these people exist, God knows I've met enough of them myself, but its a little over played. Alexander Owen's character, as Kwabs friend and work mate, was the only white character in the show who had any nuance to his personality. A well meaning guy with a good heart, with incredibly big feet in social situations and a general lack of understanding of different cultures. I hope we see more of him in season 2. I get it and I get the target audience for the show, but with literally every single white character getting this treatment, the show did risk hoisting itself on its own petard at times.
This aside, this is a solid piece of work that juggles comedy, pathos, potential heartbreak and tragedy with great skill. The writing is razor sharp, the leading characters well defined and its the sort of show we need to see more of. You genuinely care about the leads in this show, especially Amy, Kwabs and dare I say it Adam - Roll on season 2 please. The sooner, the better.
By the way, if anyone is wondering what my headline of this review refers to - it's the funniest line I've heard in a show in a long time!
