David Oyelowo set to produce series on Biafra

 

David Oyelowo, the actor, has partnered with the BBC on a limited series titled ‘Biafra’.

The film star spoke of the project in an interview with Deadline.

‘Biafra’ is set in the UK and Nigeria, with the story unfolding across the present day and the 1967-70 Biafra War.

Seen through the eyes of a young Black British woman, the series will combine character-led personal stories with themes of family, identity, and belonging at its heart.

Oyelowo described ‘Biafra’ as one of his most treasured projects.

He said the series satisfies his desire to “see African stories told at the highest level.”

The series, it is understood, is still in development with the BBC.

Ngozi Onwurah is co-developing and attached to direct the series while Bola Agbaje is writing the script.

Yvonne Isimeme Ibazebo of Turnover Films and Christian Vesper of Fremantle are executive producers in addition to  Richard Johns and Oyelowo.

Speaking on the series, Oyelowo 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.”