BAFTA Award-winning actor John Boyega is featured in the BBC documentary ‘Damilola Taylor: The Untold Story,’ which examines the tragic killing of 10-year-old Nigerian-born Damilola Taylor in Peckham, southeast London, on November 27, 2000.
The film explores the final hours of Damilola’s life before he was fatally stabbed near his home—an event that sparked national outrage, triggered a public reckoning around youth violence, and continues to resonate more than two decades later. Raised in Peckham, Boyega was among the last people to see Damilola alive. He offers previously unheard testimony alongside his sister, Grace Boyega, both of whom were with Damilola at the local library shortly before the attack.
The documentary brings together essential accounts from those closest to the tragedy and its aftermath, including Guillermo Casal—the North Peckham Estate caretaker who found Damilola and cradled him in his final moments—as well as Damilola’s brother, Tunde Taylor, and former Metropolitan Police officer Leroy Logan. Together with close friends and family, they reflect on the events surrounding the murder, the ongoing fight for justice, and the lasting impact on their lives and community.
‘Damilola Taylor: The Untold Story’ is produced by Optomen Television Ltd and was developed by Ruby Rookes and Ally Farrell. The documentary is directed by double Grierson Award winner Alex Thomas, with Nelson Adeosun serving as producer, Tom Swindell as director of photography, and Becky Cadman serving as executive producer. The film airs today, October 5, at 9:00 PM on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.
–Dominique Young // @heyyydommm