Dreaming Whilst Black Season 2 Review: Satire, Survival, and the Cost of Integrity
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Reel Perspectives
February 27, 2026
There's something truly endearing about "Dreaming Whilst Black" (Dreaming Whilst B\@*k) that continues to be a truthful industry satire about diversity and representation. The series feels both deeply personal and culturally significant. The critically acclaimed British comedy, adapted from the winning web series of the same name, stars Adjani Salmon as Kwabena and made its streaming debut for its second season on Paramount+ with Showtime on February 20.
Produced by A24 and Big Deal Films, the series is written by Salmon and Ali Hughes. Kwabena is on the hunt for his first directing gig. Having previously "sold out" his cousin during the making of his short film, he is determined not to repeat the same mistake. When the opportunity to direct the radical color-blind historical drama "Sin and Subterfuge" arises, Kwabena thinks his dreams have come true. However, things aren't quite as they seem, and he realizes how difficult it is to create something with integrity as he peers behind the curtain of a "progressive" industry.
For anyone struggling to make it in the entertainment industry, it's tough. Trying to succeed while being Black is even tougher. It becomes nearly impossible if you're determined to do so without compromising your integrity. It's why "Dreaming Whilst Black" is both true and highly entertaining.
Let's face it. The film industry has long been celebrated as a space for imagination, cultural expression, and social reflection. However, for many Black filmmakers, it has also been marked by systemic barriers and underrepresentation. Kwabena's struggles are real, and what makes them even more impactful is that they're told through comedy. Some scenes are laugh-out-loud funny, especially in the fantasy sequences, providing insight into Kwabena's imagination and aspirations. Other scenes resonate so deeply that it's hard not to notice the exhausting hustle of creative labor, yet never losing sight of Kwabena's humanity.
Kwabena, in Season 2, now has an agent, but it's slim pickings, and the age-old saying of "creep before you walk "doesn't offer much comfort as Kwabena is constantly met with microaggressions from his White peers, which makes it impossible to ignore.
"Dreaming Whilst Black" continues to be a gem, filled with rich characters who bring cultural nuance to characters that could easily have become caricatures. The series culminates in a poignant finale of revelations and self-awareness, culminating in a career-defining moment. In real life, that moment would be career-ending for a Black filmmaker, but for Kwabena, we hope to see the consequences unfold in Season 3 as he navigates the fallout while rekindling his romance with Vanessa.
In addition to Salmon, the cast for Season 2 includes Dani Moseley, Babirye Bukilwa, Demmy Ladipo, Rachel Adedeji, Jo Martin, Roger Griffiths, Martina Laird, Alexander Owen, Kemi Adekoya, Tom Stourton, Christine Adams, and Charles Edwards.
Smart, funny, and emotionally grounded, "Dreaming Whilst Black" is more than a comedy about the industry. It's a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the stubborn courage it takes to keep dreaming anyway.
Dreaming Whilst Black aired on BBC Three and on iPlayer and is streaming now on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Comments