From Desmond’s to Rye Lane: An Evening of Black British Television and Film

Celebrating Black History Month with an unforgettable evening at De La Warr Pavilion, where Ten66 Television and Playing The Race Card teamed up to explore the evolution of Black British lives on screen.

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The night began with a screening of Desmond’s (1989-1994), Channel 4’s iconic sitcom set in a Peckham barbershop, created by Trix Worrell. The show, which captivated audiences with its blend of humour and real-life issues, offered a window into Black British life and became one of the channel’s longest-running sitcoms.
 

We then screened the joyful film, Rye Lane (2023), a romantic comedy set in the heart of Peckham. Directed by Raine Allen-Miller, the film contrasted the grounded, everyday feel of Desmond’s, offering a fresh take on storytelling with its single-day love story.
 

After the screenings, we were joined by Trix Worrell for a thought-provoking Q&A with Lorna Hamilton-Brown MBE, where we delved into the growth of opportunities for Black creatives and the changing representation of Black lives on screen.

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