Dreaming Whilst Black

Dreaming Whilst Black S01 and S02 (1080p, soft English subtitles)


Can Kwabena swap his dead-end job for his movie mogul dream? The trouble is, he's black, broke and his mum wishes he was an accountant. Written by and starring Adjani Salmon.


Contains some strong language and adult humour.

Contains discriminatory language


Series One


E01 The Dream

Kwabena is an aspiring film-maker working a dead-end job in recruitment. When he bumps into Amy, an old friend from film school who has just returned from three years in Nigeria, she offers to pass his script, Jamaica Road, to the development team at the production company where she works. But life isn't as simple as all that, and Kwabena may have to make some sacrifices in order to pursue his dream.



E02 The Reality

In a bid to raise funds for his film, Jamaica Road, Kwabena struggles to balance moonlighting as a food delivery driver. His romance with Vanessa continues to grow stronger, despite their differing film tastes, but Kwabena can’t help but feel a little inadequate in comparison to his new girl.


E03 The Friends

At a diversity mixer, Kwabena and Amy meet Timothy Eastly, a prominent and very white industry exec, famed for producing successful films and TV shows... with black talent. Kwabena lays on the charm - enough to get Timothy to read his script and to consider him for a writing gig. Meanwhile, Amy continues to struggle with microaggressions at work, and Maurice carries on excessively worrying. He thinks he and Funmi should go vegan for the health of the baby, but Funmi has other ideas.


E04 The Birth

Funmi’s due date is fast approaching, meaning Kwabena is desperately trying to find somewhere new to live - but given his financial situation and the housing crisis in London, it’s proving difficult. When Funmi goes into labour, a nervous Maurice is more on edge than ever. Doctors at the hospital refuse to take Funmi's concerns seriously, and her life may well soon hang in the balance. At home, Kwabena’s aunt Stephanie is worried about her son Dorvin - a cheeky, aspiring rapper who has fallen in with the wrong crowd. Stephanie asks Kwabena to pass on Dorvin’s CV to his old recruitment colleagues in the hope of keeping him out of trouble. Kwabena promises to help. With everything going on, Kwabena is forced to reconsider his priorities and realises just how important Vanessa is to him. Is it too late to confess his true feelings?


E05 The Pitch

After the birth of baby Mayowa, Kwabena moves back home with his mother, Grace. He feels like a teenager again with a list of chores – but he needs to earn his keep if he wants to live in her house. After bumping into Dorvin again, Kwabs realises his cousin really is hanging out with the wrong crowd. He half-heartedly promises to help Dorvin with his music – agreeing to film a music video – but he fails to act quickly enough. Despite her objections, Amy’s company makes a tone deaf, racially offensive advert which goes viral and faces an embarrassing public backlash. Embarrassed and broken, will Amy take up an offer from Kwabs?


E06 The Premiere

Kwabena and Amy have finally made their film. Kwabena is now focused on getting agents to come to the screening, with the hope of being signed. Kwabena is riding high after finally showcasing his film, which has gone down brilliantly with old friends and important guests from the film industry. He finally receives an offer that makes him feel like he has taken the first step towards achieving his dream. But after facing some harsh words from his family, Kwabs’s joy is cut short as he is left wondering whether he has sold out his morals in his search for success.



Series Two


E01 Black Sheep

Kwabena is desperate to get his first directing gig, but every project he comes across uses tired Black stereotypes. As pressure mounts from his family and agent, he faces a choice: take any job to get his foot in the door or hold out for a project with integrity. Sadly, his love life isn’t going much better. Kwabena hasn’t moved on from his ex, Vanessa, after she moved to New York and their relationship fizzled out. When Funmi shares an unexpected update on how she’s doing, old feelings resurface.


E02 Blackwash

Kwabena’s long-awaited break comes with Sin and Subterfuge, a radical colour-blind Regency drama. What at first feels like a dream project soon raises unsettling questions, and Kwabena tries to find a solution. A spark with a talented actress comes at the worst possible time when an old flame resurfaces. Meanwhile, Funmi and Maurice sharpen their airs and graces in a bid to secure Mayowa a place at the borough’s top nursery.


E03 Blackguard

It’s Kwabena’s first day on set, and he can’t believe he’s working with his hero, legendary actor Rudolph Williams. Determined to support the veteran performer, his good intentions are tested by the relentless demands of the shoot. To make matters worse, Vanessa weighs heavily on his mind after their run-in brings up feelings he struggles to ignore. Maurice and Funmi are called in by the nursery after an altercation between Mayowa and another child, but they are surprised to find things aren’t as they first assumed.


E04 Black Love

Contains some strong language.

Kwabena pulls out all the stops with an elaborate date to win Vanessa back, determined to remind her of what they once shared, and as they reminisce, old feelings resurface. Are they ready to reignite their love, or is it one final near miss? Maurice and Funmi’s romantic night out falls apart when they can’t find a babysitter, forcing them to improvise at home - quietly, cautiously, and with one ear on the baby monitor. Over dinner, Errol finally works up the courage to ask Grace a big question - until Claude and Polly swoop in and ruin the mood.


E05 Black Swan

Contains some strong language and adult humour.

When network executive Pippa makes a surprise visit to the set of Sin and Subterfuge, Kwabena knows it’s his chance to prove he belongs in the director’s chair. A flawless day could launch his career, but as one mishap spirals into another, he must rely on his charm and determination to keep the production afloat - and his dream within reach. When Maurice misses yet another nursery event for Mayowa, Funmi finds an unexpected ally in a fellow parent


E06 All Black Everything

When the long-awaited chance to direct Jamaica Road finally arrives, Kwabena faces one final obstacle - he needs Simon’s help. Getting his support comes with big strings attached. Is Kwabena prepared to play the game in order to achieve his dream?

Meanwhile, a run-in with Vanessa and her new boyfriend hits Kwabena like a ton of bricks. Is it really the end for them? Maurice is blindsided when he learns that Mayowa has a girlfriend - something he knew nothing about. The revelation stings, forcing him to ask if the sacrifices he’s making to fund his son’s future are costing him the present.