Dreaming Whilst Black release date confirmed for new BBC TV show in 2023

Dreaming Whilst Black will come to BBC Three this summer with its first series.

The full six-part series of the hit web show follows a one-off TV pilot in 2021.

Dreaming Whilst Black is co-written by Adjani Salmon and Ali Hughes with Salmon also starring in the lead role. It is co-produced by A24 and Big Deal Films.

A teaser shares: “Loosely inspired by real life events, Dreaming Whilst Black tells the story of Kwabena, an aspiring filmmaker stuck in a dead-end recruitment job who takes the first step to achieving his dream.

“However, he is quickly confronted with the tribulations of balancing finances, love, and his own sense of reality.”

Dreaming Whilst Black will be released in full on BBC iPlayer from Monday, 24 July and start on TV the same day at 10PM on BBC Three.

Alongside Salmon, Dani Moseley (Everything I Know About Love, Straight Line Crazy) reprises her role from the pilot as Amy. The two are joined by Demmy Ladipo (The Last Tree, We Are Lady Parts) as Maurice, Rachel Adedeji (Champion, R.I.P.D. 2: RISE OF THE DAMNED) as Funmi and babirye bukilwa (We Hunt together, Our Girl) as Vanessa, who all also appeared in the pilot.

Also returning to the full series in supporting roles are Alexander Owen (one half of comedy duo The Pin, Jurassic World Dominion) as Adam, and Will Hislop (Gangs of London, PRU, Grantchester) as Lewis.

They will all be joined throughout the series by Isy Suttie (Peep Show), Peter Serafinowicz (The Tick, Shaun of the Dead), Roger Griffiths (Chef!, Eastenders), Martina Laird (The Little Mermaid, Unforgotten), Jo Martin (Doctor Who, The Crouches), Akemnji Ndifornyen (Famalam, Black Ops), and Steve Furst (The Serpent Queen, Walk Like A Panther) in recurring roles. Jessica Hynes (W1A, There She Goes, Shaun of the Dead) and Love Island’s Ovie Soko will also make guest appearances in the series.

Co-creator, writer and star of Dreaming Whilst Black Adjani Salmon said: “When we made the web series we wanted to be “di bes ting pon di intanet.” With all the support we now have, we want to make “di bes ting pon BBC TV,” pun intended.”

Tanya Qureshi, Head of Comedy at the BBC commented: “We are sure it won’t come as a surprise that BBC Comedy wanted to take this wonderful project to series. Its success and recognition speaks for itself.

“It is a testament to the work that Big Deal Films and co-writers Adjani and Ali have done, that it has attracted such a strong partner in A24. We can’t wait to bring the series to UK audiences later next year.”

Co-Executive Producer Dhanny Joshi, Big Deal Films added: “We are thrilled for the opportunity to continue telling Kwabena’s story in creative collaboration with A24, BBC Comedy and the rest of our incredible cast, writers and crew. The response we’ve received from audiences who continue to discover the Dreaming Whilst Black pilot is one of the most deeply rewarding experiences we’ve shared.

“To hear viewers express how the show made them “feel seen” has been inspirational, and we’re so grateful to the team at BBC Comedy and A24 for making the series a reality.”