‘I created BBC’s Dreaming Whilst Black – I fear the diversity wave is over’ 

As BBC series Dreaming Whilst Black returns for round two, creator Adjani Salmon has one message for uncomfortable viewers: ‘They should ask themselves why.’

The critically acclaimed comedy began as a web series in 2021, introducing the determined protagonist, Kwabena, a Black man trying to secure his big break as a filmmaker.

After landing on the BBC in 2023, viewers praised the six-episode comedy for its pithy commentary on the performative nature of ‘diversity’ schemes and how, no matter the amount of lip service, very little has been done to overcome the structural racism woven into the fabric of creative industries in the UK.

The first season was aptly picked up during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, following the death of George Floyd in May 2020, which caused a reckoning across industries about just how proactive their drive for meaningful inclusion truly is. 

Yet, even just four years on, Adjani is all too aware of this wave slowing down, as he told Metro.

The star recalled a conversation he had with the ‘late, great filmmaker Menelik Shabazz’ during the ‘first wave of Black Lives Matter in 2015’ in which Shabazz warned him: ‘This is just a moment, it is not change.’

He continued: ‘Then 2020 happened, a wave again. I think there were about 16 Black shows that got commissioned, and only four of them have a season two.

‘When we started writing [season two], the penny dropped that the mandem and the galdem aren’t coming back. I was just like: “Oh man, is the wave over? I don’t know.”

‘For us, even if this is the last of the wave, we’re going to let y’all know that we knew, but hopefully it’s not. Hopefully, we get season three [and] more Black and Brown commissions going.’

From relentless microaggressions to the sheer competition to get your foot in the door, Dreaming Whilst Black thrives when effortlessly pointing out the utter absurdity of the rigged system in the face of earnest talent. 

The show leaves no stone unturned as it delves into privilege in all its forms, from race to class and everything in between, meaning that the audience may be forced to reckon with some uncomfortable truths. 

‘However people feel is however people feel,’ Adjani shared simply when asked if he was ever worried about how some scenes may be received.

Although, he added: ‘I think if people are uncomfortable, the first thing they should do is ask themselves why and then we can have a conversation about it. To be honest, what I’ve learned through the show is that people tend to see everybody else but not themselves.’

In one storyline, Kwabena is faced with a reality check after deciding to turn down a steady job for ethical reasons. His Uncle Claude tells him: ‘How much can you buy with integrity nowadays?’

As Adjani unpacks in our conversation: ‘The unfortunate truth is, we can make a Black show with Black directors, Black writers, Black producers, Black actors for the BBC – on some level we can be idealists – but we still operate within the system. 

‘There are still certain things that we can or cannot do because we’re at a public broadcaster who has places like Ofcom who they have to deal with, or catering to the public.’

Acknowledging ‘every artist has to decide where they draw the line of compromise within themselves,’ he said the purpose of that storyline was to ‘show the privilege Kwabena has that he doesn’t realise he has’.

Elsewhere, the season also explores a colourblind regency drama (and all the nuance that comes with that), a theme that rings particularly relevant in an era of shows like Bridgerton and The Buccaneers.

‘We have an internal joke that Dreaming Whilst Black is a documentary,’ Adjani quipped, although he was quick to reiterate: ‘Even if there’s a correlation, we made it up. Art is imitating life; it just so happens these shows exist.’

Of course, enmeshed within the socio-political commentary, there are plenty of heartwarming moments, including two romances this season. 

The first involves Kwabena’s mum, Grace – portrayed by Doctor Who star Jo Martin – as she strikes up a sweet romance, the origin of which is even sweeter.

Adjani explained: ‘Part of our success is the fact that we’ve made it into the aunties’ WhatsApp chat. So many people would message me and be like, “Yo, bro, my mum recommended this show.”

‘So we knew that the generation ahead of us watched. I was so glad we could just let them know: “We know you’re watching, so this is for you.”‘

For those who loved Kwabena’s love interest Vanessa (babirye bukilwa) in the first season, you’re in luck, as there’s more to come… and it’s messier than ever, Adjani teased.

As for the Bafta-winning show’s future, for now, Adjani is taking a moment to show his gratitude for how well it has done so far. 

‘When you’re in the thick of it, you can’t see the wood for the trees. You’re running out of money, you’re running out of time, you’re running out of options, and you just feel like it’s all caving in.

‘It was such a relief to know that people felt that hard work and enjoyed it because making TV is tough.

‘Unfortunately, we’re still in a time where Black and Brown shows keep making [awards] history, so to be a part of the conversation, to hit that critical acclaim, just felt like an honour. It felt like we’re doing this for the team.’

Dreaming Whilst Black is available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

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