Steve McQueen
The Small Axe creator reflects on the TV event of the year…
How hard was it to decide which historical stories to focus on for this anthology?
It took some time but Mangrove and Lovers Rock were there from the get go. I had writers’ rooms which turned out to be the place I auditioned the writers I wanted to work with, which were Courttia Newland and Al Siddons.
Red, White And Blue came from the process. Alex Wheatle was one of our writers. We went round the room introducing ourselves and telling our stories. When we got to Alex, I immediately knew his story would make an ideal coming-of-age film. Education came after the writers’ room when I had to confront my own past, specifically my time in the education system.
How important was it for you to tell these stories in 2020?
It was time to confront a lot of things that had been buried in the past. Sometimes when it happens is not within your choosing.
What are you hoping TV audiences get from watching Small Axe as a complete series, rather than as standalone films?
I think what is interesting when seeing these films on TV as an anthology is that it takes the audience on a journey from 1968 to 1984. The trajectory of the stories is all about a certain manner of progress and at the same time people still having to overcome challenges against them. I love the idea that people are at home rooting for these characters and understanding their challenges and also reflecting on their own.
How challenging was it to make five feature-length films back-to-back?
To be honest, without an amazing crew and cast it would not have been achievable. I am so grateful for their focus and passion towards this project.
Following the success of Small Axe, are there more historical stories about the Black British experience that you would like to explore in a future anthology?
I am not too sure about an anthology but there are so many stories to tell. It is a very rich area and I am so grateful to be able to tell some of them. SMALL AXE IS AVAILABLE VIA BBC IPLAYER.