The BBC is creating a limited series about Biafra with actor David Oyelowo, British TV Fremantle, and Richard Johns’ Argo Films.
The events of “Biafra” alternate between the present day and the Biafra War of 1967–1970, taking place in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to Deadline, the series would merge a character-driven personal story with themes of family, identity, and belonging at its center, viewed through the viewpoint of a young black British lady.
The actor referred to the story as a gem and said that he had been eager to see it produced to a high standard.
According to him, “My Nigerian heritage and desire to see African stories told at the highest level has led to Biafra being one of my most treasured projects. My parents married across the tabooed tribal lines of the Biafran conflict, and it shaped my life, much as it has done to millions of Nigerians. To be able to bring the amazing talents of director Ngozi Onwurah, who I first worked with on Shoot the Messenger, and writer, Bola Agbaje, who I’ve been seeking to work with for quite some time, makes this the definition of a passion project for me.”
Johns, whose Argo Films very recently got off the ground, added that the series is an opportunity to convey a potent tale about finding and reclaiming a lost identity and a forgotten history.
He said: “Britain and Nigeria have a hugely important, multi-layered, and historic relationship, one that is very much alive today. With this series, we are setting ourselves the mission of telling an incredibly powerful story about discovering and reclaiming a lost identity and a forgotten history.”
Ngozi Onwurah is reportedly co-developing the narrative and will reportedly direct the series, with Bola Agbaje serving as the writer, however this has not yet been confirmed.
In addition to Johns and Oyelowo, Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo of Turnover Films and Christian Vesper of Fremantle are executive producers.
