Blacklisted Conversations

In this episode of Blacklisted Conversations, we sit down with award-winning filmmaker and historian Shola Lynch, celebrated for her powerful documentaries centring Black voices and untold histories. With a legacy that includes Free Angela and All Political Prisoners and Chisholm ’72: Unbought & Unbossed, Lynch brings a distinct, truth-driven approach to storytelling.We dive into her latest work as director of the Leading Women in Hollywood segment of the Apple TV+ docuseries Number One on the Call Sheet. Lynch shares the care and craft behind building trust with initially hesitant icons like Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, and Gabrielle Union — ultimately capturing deeply personal reflections on navigating stardom as Black women in the industry.From the politics of representation to the pursuit of creative freedom, this conversation explores the resilience, legacy, and quiet power that fuel both her subjects and her own journey as a filmmaker.

Robinne Lee, an accomplished actress and author, has a diverse career spanning both film and television. She made her screen debut in the 1997 independent film "Hav Plenty" and has since appeared in movies like "National Security," "Deliver Us from Eva," "Hitch," "Seven Pounds," and the "Fifty Shades" sequels.On television, Robinne is known for her role in the BET drama series "Being Mary Jane" and has guest-starred on shows such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Numbers." Her impressive educational background includes degrees from Yale University and Columbia Law School.Transitioning from acting to writing, Robinne published her debut novel, "The Idea of You," in 2017. This story, which explores themes of love and fame, has recently been adapted into a film starring Anne Hathaway and is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime Video

Vinette Robinson is an award-winning actress known for her roles in "Sherlock," "Black Mirror," and as Rosa Parks in "Doctor Who." Born in Bradford to a Jamaican father and British mother, her career spans television and theatre. She received acclaim for her award-winning portrayal of sous chef Carly in the film "Boiling Point." In her latest role, Robinson portrays Natalie, a controlling and toxic mother, in new Channel 4 series "The Gathering." Set in Liverpool, the show delves into the complexities of teenage and family life, exploring deep-seated conflicts and relationships ...We spoke to her about playing difficult to love characters and how to achieve that all important work/life balance ... The Gathering airs on Channel 4 Tuesday 14th May @ 9pm.

Joseph Marcell, known for his iconic role as Geoffrey in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," is currently touring he UK in the play "The School For Scandal." He's also soon to be seen in the upcoming Channel 4/ Hulu series "Queenie" by Candice Carty-Williams. We had the opportunity to chat with him about his role in the play and his involvement in the eagerly anticipated TV series ...

Nels Abbey, British-Nigerian writer and satirist, merges finance with culture in "The Hip Hop MBA." Author of the best selling 'Think Like A White Man' which shares tips on now to navigate corporate spaces. Nels talks to us about why he decided to shift the perspective of Hip Hop's leading figures including JayZ, Ice Cube, and Suge Knight from hustlers to respected business moguls, how So Solid's Megaman inspired him, why he refuses to play the game and being a girl dad! The Hip Hop MBA: Lessons in Cut-Throat Capitalism from Rap’s Moguls is available in all good books stores now.

The brilliance of Micheal Ward was first captured in the Netflix series Top Boy and since he's gone on to shine on the big screen in projects Empire of Light and The Book of Clarence. In his latest project The Beautiful Game, Ward stars as Vinny a gifted striker, who joins England's homeless football team for the Homeless World Cup in Rome.TBB's Sam caught up with Micheal about the impact working on The Beautiful Game had on him ... The Beautiful Game is available on Netflix from Friday 29th March

Cynthia Erivo, is the multi-nominated, critically acclaimed Tony Award-winning actress known for her roles as Celie in "The Color Purple" on Broadway and as Harriet Tubman in "Harriet." The South London born actress is now starring in and producing "Drift," a film that about Jacqueline, a homeless refugee, navigating the challenges of survival on a Greek island after a devastating loss. Jacqueline's encounter with an American tour guide named Callie adds a new dimension to her story, exploring themes of resilience, friendship, and the human spirit amidst adversity. TBB's Nana Evans spoke to Cynthia about juggling the two roles of actor and producer and how she takes care of self ... Drift is in UK cinemas March 29th

French-Senaglese filmmaker Ramata-Toulaye Sy's debut feature Banel & Adama is showing in UK cinemas now.The film being Ramata's first writer-director project made a rare mark on the industry when it screened in competition at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. Picked up for UK distribution by We Are Parable Banel & Adama is a love story set against the backdrop of a Senegalese village, delving into themes around love's challenges and the harsh realities of climate change.TBB's Nana Evans spoke to Ramata about how this visually stunning film came to life ...

Jo Martin, is an acting legend, with her body of work spanning television, film, and theatre. Stand out roles include being the first Black Fugitive Doctor "Doctor Who" and she champions Black narratives by starring in ground breaking projects like "Champion," "Grime Kids," and "Dreaming Whilst Black."Jo's upcoming role is as Suzie Harris in The Marlow Murder Club where she joins a trio of women investigating a murder in Marlow, blending dark mystery against a picturesque backdrop.The Marlow Murder Club premieres on Drama and UKTV Play on Wednesday, March 6th, at 8 pm. The concluding part airs Thursday, March 7th, also at 8 pm.

Domino Day is a new BBC horror series about a powerful witch with a dark secret. Domino has to feed on humans to survive, desperate to understand who she is she embarks on a journey of discovery whilst dodging a coven of witches tracking her every move.We speak to the creator Lauren Sequeira, and lead actress Sienna Miller and co-star Percelle Ascott about the making of this brilliant new series.Domino Day is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer