Dreaming Whilst Black

Presumably, Dreaming Whilst Black faced some of the same challenges on its own way to the screen — and yet, none of that is apparent in the finished show, which feels as distinctive and undiluted a statement as any artist might hope for. Maybe it’s not quite Kwabena’s cherished Jamaica Road. But it feels very much like the sort of work a born storyteller might make in his dreams.

In this easily binge-able six-episode series, Salmon and his writing team continue the streak of Black TV excellence (“Insecure,” “Rap Sh*t,” “Killing It”) with a hilarious and authentic portrayal of being a self-made, millennial, creative trying to follow their dreams and how far they’re willing to go to achieve them.

Dreaming Whilst Black livens up a fairly standard outline for a comedy series with an ensemble of outstanding performances, biting social satire, and a keen sense of its own identity that makes for one of the most rewarding watches of the year.

“Dreaming Whilst Black” is a rich slice of life, and Salmon’s confident and inventive storytelling is impressive. It’s as funny as it is moving, and I’m hoping there will be more to come.

Dreaming Whilst Black is a funny take on how following your ambitions is much harder when you’re Black and facing a world of institutional racism, but the show doesn’t hesitate to give its main characters their own ambition-stalling quirks, as well.

A deft combination of young-adult rom-com and workplace cringe comedy.

This is a fresh and funny new voice and the switch between the fantasy life in Kwabena's head and disappointing reality is well done. Another series feels certain.

In Dreaming Whilst Black, the laughs are there and are balanced with prevalent conversations and everyday explorations about what it means to be Black in Britain.