John Boyega To Feature In BBC Doc Exploring Tragic Death Of Damilola Taylor

EXCLUSIVE: Star Wars star John Boyega will speak for nan first clip astir being 1 of nan past group to spot Damilola Taylor live successful a BBC documentary astir nan tragic decease of nan 10-year-old.

Taylor was fatally stabbed successful 2000 successful a stairwell successful Peckham, South East London, conscionable metres from his home.

Boyega, who besides grew up successful Peckham, will return portion successful Damilola Taylor: The Last 24 Hours [working title], speaking astir what it was for illustration to beryllium 1 of nan past group to spot him alive, sharing nan fearfulness and uncertainty that followed successful nan aftermath of his death. The Force Awakens and Attack nan Block star is joined by different adjacent friends and family members who uncover nan events that led to Taylor’s decease and talk for nan first clip astir nan effect his tragic execution has had successful shaping their lives.

Taylor’s decease sent shockwaves done Britain and became a defining infinitesimal successful nan nationalist speech astir nan horrors of weapon crime. A erstwhile BBC play astir nan unspeakable events, Damilola: Our Loved Boy, won 2 BAFTAs including for Sinners star Wunmi Mosaku.

Directed by double Grierson Award-winning filmmaker Alex Thomas (Bibaa & Nicole: Murder successful nan Park) and produced by At Home With nan Furys maker Optomen, nan movie retraces Taylor’s last time – charting his movements and examining nan situation and pressures shaping nan lives of young group astir him astatine that time. 

Jack Bootle, nan BBC’s Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual, said: “The sidesplitting of Damilola Taylor shocked nan UK and changed nan lives of those closest to him forever. This movie traces their stories – and honours Damilola’s representation done nan voices of those who knew him best.”

Thomas added: “Damilola’s communicative has never been told done nan acquisition of nan young group who were surviving it astatine nan time. This movie shows what it meant to turn up successful an situation shaped by fear, bullying and nan request to protect yourself — and really those pressures influenced nan choices group made. Twenty-five years on, those experiences still enactment pinch them, and galore of those pressures still beryllium for young group today.”