Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) has learnt that the US Actor David Oyelowo is in partnership with British TV Fremantle and Richard Johns’ Argo Films to develop a limited series with the BBC about “The Story of Biafra”.
The creators indicated that the story of Biafra would take place in Nigeria and the United Kingdom, alternating between the present day and the 1967–1970 Biafra War.
The series will blend a character-driven personal story with themes of family, identity, and belonging at its core, seen through the perspective of a young black British woman.
Speaking about the film, David Oyelowo said, “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. So 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.”
Also commenting, Richard Johns, who launched his Argo Films just a week ago, explained that the series is a chance to tell a powerful story about discovering and reclaiming a lost identity and a forgotten history.
Johns said: “Britain and Nigeria have a hugely important, multi-layered, and historical relationship, one that is very much alive today. With this series, we are setting ourselves the mission of telling a compelling story about discovering and reclaiming a lost identity and a forgotten history.”
Although yet to be confirmed, Ngozi Onwurah reportedly co-develops the story and is said to direct the series, while Bola Agbaje functions as the writer.
