'leaders'
Star Wars’ John Boyega fronts trailer for new BBC drama Small Axe as real life black policeman fighting racism
STAR Wars' John Boyega fronts the trailer for Small Axe, the BBC's new collection of hard-hitting films.
The actor takes on a challenging role in Red, White and Blue, based on the true story of a black policeman fighting racism from within the establishment.
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The tale is one of five films commissioned by the BBC for the upcoming anthology drama series created by acclaimed 12 Years A Slave director Steve McQueen.
In Red, White and Blue, Boyega, 28, stars as real life Metropolitan Police superintendent Leroy Logan, who saw his father attacked by two officers.
Logan served as a member of the police force for 30 years and in 2001, he received an MBE for his role in developing anti-racist policies for the police and retired in 2013.
Small Axe follows five tales from London’s West Indian community which took place between the late 1960s and early 1980s.
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Other stars include Black Panther's Laetitia Wright, Malachi Kirby from Black Mirror, Lost in Space star Shaun Parkes and Line of Duty actress Rochenda Sandall.
The other four hour-long episodes are titled Mangrove, Lovers Rock, Alex Wheatle and Education.
Wright and Sandall feature in the true story of Mangrove, about a group of black activists called the Mangrove 9, who were tried for - and then later acquitted of - inciting a riot at a protest following police raids.
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In Lovers Rock, a tale of young love and music, the action is led by BAFTAs 2020 Rising Star award recipient Micheal Ward and newcomer Amarah-Jae St Aubyn.
Sheyi Cole stars as award-winning writer Alex Wheatle, in the film of the same name, telling the true story of his bringing up in a predominantly white care home before being imprisoned during the Brixton Riots.
Education follows the battle of a group of women to ensure black children are given equal opportunities in the school system, starring Kenyah Sandy, Star Wars actress Naomi Ackie and The Long Song's Tamara Lawrance.
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The new trailer includes emotional clips from all five films from the anthology and a voiceover is heard saying: "These are new types of human beings. They are not demoralised or defeated persons they are leaders but are rooted deep among those they lead."
Another voice later adds: "As individuals we have impossible battles, as a collective we stand a chance."
Small Axe is set to premiere on the BBC later this year in November.
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