Tag Archives: Small Axe

Viu takes BBC Studios package for SA

October 3, 2022NewsBBC Lifestyle, BBC Studios, Homegrown Tastes South Africa, JoJo & Gran Gran, Luther, Orphan Black, Ryan Solovei, Small Axe, ViuGary

International OTT streaming service Viu has picked up its first package of content from BBC Studios’ distribution slate, including dramas, documentaries and kids’ content, for its platform in South Africa.

The agreement, covering 150 hours of programming, marks the first sale of cookery show Homegrown Tastes South Africa, BBC Lifestyle’s local commission which launched earlier this year.

The 10-part series, produced by BBC-backed South African production company Rapid Blue, follows chef and TV personality Lorna Maseko on a culinary expedition across South Africa.

The deal also includes the first five seasons of Luther, Orphan Black and drama anthology series Small Axe by Oscar-, Bafta- and Golden Globe-winning filmmaker Steve McQueen.

For younger audiences, UK preschool animated series JoJo & Gran Gran, featuring a black British family, will be available to stream. Based on a best-selling book, the series tells the story of a four-year-old girl and her fun and wise grandmother who teaches her about relationships and the many wonders of life and the world.

English-language learning series Yakka Dee will also be available on the Viu platform.

“This deal marks the first with Viu and the first sale of our local commission, Homegrown Tastes South Africa,” said Pierre Cloete, commercial director for Africa at BBC Studios.

Ryan Solovei, country manager for South Africa at Viu, added: “This deal marks the first of its kind – this is an indication that there is growth and further opportunities in what is and will continue to be a dynamic entertainment market. This is an indication of Viu’s commitment to South Africa and Africa at large.”

tagged in: BBC Lifestyle, BBC Studios, Homegrown Tastes South Africa, JoJo & Gran Gran, Luther, Orphan Black, Ryan Solovei, Small Axe, Viu

John Boyega wins Golden Globe

March 5, 2021NewsJohn Boyega, Small AxeJohn Winfield

Nigerian-British actor John Boyega has won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series for his performance in Small Axe film Red, White & Blue.

Boyega was honoured for playing real-life police officer and anti-racism reformer Leroy Logan, who attempted to change London’s Metropolitan Police from within after seeing his father assaulted by two officers.

Red, White & Blue is one of five films that make up Steve McQueen’s BBC/Amazon anthology series Small Axe, a Turbine Studios and Lammas Park production.

After the win, Boyega wrote on Instagram: “All I can say is THANK YOU SO MUCH.”

The Golden Globe ceremony was held virtually on March 1.

tagged in: John Boyega, Small Axe

Boyega to star in Netflix crime movie

January 29, 2021NewsBuppie Productions, Ephraim Walker, John Boyega, RED, Robert De Niro, Small Axe, Steve McQueen, White & BlueGary

Nigerian-British Star Wars actor John Boyega is to star in Netflix’s original film The Formula alongside screen icon Robert De Niro.

Written, directed and produced by Gerard McMurray (The First Purge, Burning Sands), the movie follows the story of a Formula 1 racing prodigy, played by Boyega, who is forced to become a getaway driver to save the only family he has left. He becomes an international racing star in the world of Formula 1 under the tutelage of his mentor with old mob ties.

The movie will be executive produced by Jason Michael while Sam Shaw and Buppie Productions’ Ephraim Walker serve as coproducers and Jane Rosenthal, De Niro and Berry Welsh as producers.

McMurray set up Buppie to develop and produce entertaining stories featuring black characters for a mainstream film and television audience.

The exec said on Instagram: “Feels amazing to see this idea in my head finally come to life that I’m writing, directing, and producing. My new production company, Buppie Productions, is teaming up with Tribeca Films and Netflix to bring to you a dope original film coming soon called The Formula starring two of my favourite actors: John Boyega and Robert De Niro.”

Boyega recently starred in Red, White & Blue, a film from the anthology series Small Axe directed by Steve McQueen. He previously starred in the Star Wars franchise and Detroit and is currently in production on They Cloned Tyrone with Jamie Foxx.

The release date for The Formula is yet to be announced.

tagged in: Buppie Productions, Ephraim Walker, John Boyega, RED, Robert De Niro, Small Axe, Steve McQueen, White & Blue

Star Wars’ Boyega stars in BBC drama

June 28, 2019NewsBBC1, John Boyega, Small Axe, Steve McQueenGary

British-Nigerian Star Wars actor John Boyega will star in Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen’s BBC1 drama Small Axe (6×60′) next year.

The UK public broadcaster’s show, which also stars Black Panther actor Letitia Wright, tells five different stories over six episodes set in London’s West Indian community between the 1960s and 80s.

The series is executive produced by Tracey Scoffield and David Tanner for Turbine Studios and McQueen for Lammas Park. Shooting began on location in London on June 24.

The drama was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content, and the executive producer for the BBC is Lucy Richer, senior commissioning editor for drama. BBC Studios is handling worldwide sales.

McQueen, who is also the show’s executive producer, said: “I felt these stories needed to be shared. I wanted to relive, re-evaluate and investigate the journeys that my parents and the first generation of West Indians went on to deliver me here today, calling myself a black British person. What’s important about our stories is that they are local but at the same time global.

“I think audiences will identify with the trials, tribulations and joy of our characters as well as reflecting on the present environment in which we find ourselves. The dynamic nature of the series allows us to confront injustice in the face of adversity.”

Boyega has appeared in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the film adaptation of the hit novel A Naked Singularity, sci-fi romance Hold Back the Stars and also produced South African thriller God is Good. McQueen’s credits include Widows and Twelve Years A Slave.

Production is currently underway on location in London. Small Axe is newly formed production company Turbine Studios’ first project. The company was set up last year by producers Scoffield and Tanner alongside Andrew Eaton (The Crown, The Trip) and Justin Thomson (The Fall, Death Comes To Pemberley).

tagged in: BBC1, John Boyega, Small Axe, Steve McQueen