James R | On 28, Nov 2020

Small Axe continues this weekend with Red, White and Blue, and a trailer gives us a closer look at John Boyega in its starring role.

BBC One’s anthology of hour-long stories was conceived and written by Steve McQueen with Alastair Siddons and Courttia Newland (Alex Wheatle is a writing consultant). The six films tell five stories all set within London’s West Indian community from the late 1960s to the early 80s.

The title Small Axe is derived from a Jamaican proverb that has resonance throughout the Caribbean, “if you are the big tree, we are the small axe”. Small Axe is also the title of a Bob Marley song from 1973 album Catch A Fire. It means that relatively marginal or small voices of dissent can successfully challenge more powerful voices.

Red, White and Blue follows Leroy Logan, a real-life police officer who wanted to change the force after his father was killed by two police officers. Logan was appointed MBE in 2001 for his role in developing anti-racist policies for the police, later retiring in 2013. Boyega is joined in the drama by Steve Toussaint (Prince of Persia) and newcomers Tyrone Huntley, Nathan Vidal and Jaden Oshenye.

Red, White and Blue is broadcast on BBC One at 9pm. It follows Mangrove (read our review here) and Lovers Rock (read our review here). Here’s the trailer:

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