There’s a scene in the new series of Dreaming Whilst Black that truly nails the feeling of wanting the ground to open up and swallow you whole. After grinding it out as a recruitment consultant and a takeaway driver, struggling film-maker Kwabena has finally landed his first TV job, directing a prestigious period drama titled Sin and Subterfuge. It’s a gruelling gig, and the fact that the lead role has been given to a ditzy reality star with no acting experience proves to be the least of his worries. Under pressure to make a stationary carriage in front of a green screen look as though it’s actually moving, he instructs the crew to grab “leaves, branches, anything you can from outside … any forms of foliage!” and wave them in front of the camera while vigorously shaking the vehicle. Screws begin to fly in all directions – and you get the sense that Kwabena’s television career is just as unsteady.
Gladly, Adjani Salmon, who plays Kwabena and is also the co-creator and writer of the acclaimed comedy, is having a bit more luck. The first series of Dreaming Whilst Black was praised by critics as a sharp and surreal take on Black British life, with comparisons made to US series such as Atlanta and Insecure. For Salmon, though, some of the highest praise came from hearing that clips were being shared by Caribbean and African “aunties” in their group chats.
