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Dreaming Whilst Black – Season 2 (2025) TV Review
- Joao Nsita
- 13 hours ago
- 11 min read
The alarm tone on an iPhone has never sounded quite so much like a death knell to ambition. When we first met Kwabena in Dreaming Whilst Black, he was a man trapped in the suffocating purgatory of a corporate recruitment job, desperately clinging to the belief that he was destined to be a filmmaker. Created by and starring the brilliant Adjani Salmon, the BAFTA-winning series began as a web show, evolved into a BBC pilot, and eventually blossomed into one of the most vital, funny, and painfully accurate British comedies of the decade. Now, returning for a highly anticipated second season, the show asks a terrifying question: what happens when you finally get your foot in the door, only to realize the house is built on hypocrisy, microaggressions, and terrible period dramas? To write a definitive Dreaming Whilst Black review requires acknowledging that Salmon has not just avoided the sophomore slump; he has actively dismantled it. Co-written with Ali Hughes, this season is a masterclass in tone, effortlessly balancing surreal, laugh-out-loud comedy with a deeply sensitive exploration of Black British life. It is essential, unmissable television.
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The Reality of "Making It": The Plot Explained
For those needing the narrative trajectory of Dreaming Whilst Black explained, Season 2 picks up in the messy aftermath of Kwabena's supposed breakthrough. He now has a high-powered agent (the hilariously sharp Jessica Hynes) and has finally left his soul-crushing day job behind. However, the reality of "making it" in the film and television industry is far less glamorous than he envisioned. Kwabena finds himself struggling to secure meaningful directorial work, discovering that his principles often clash with the commercial realities of a predominantly white, risk-averse media landscape. As his uncle brutally points out, Kwabena seems to be the only Black man in England who didn't manage to capitalize on the corporate diversity push following 2020.
The central dramatic conflict of the season kicks into gear when Kwabena is eventually hired to direct Sin and Subterfuge, a glossy, Bridgerton-esque period drama. It is a job that requires him to navigate egregious "colorblind casting" mandates, including working with an underqualified, Essex-accented influencer cast solely for her follower count, acting opposite a legendary Black theater actor, Rudolph Williams (Kobna Holdbrook-Smith).
Meanwhile, his personal life remains in flux. His long-distance romance with Vanessa (Babirye Bukilwa) has fizzled, forcing him to navigate the modern dating scene while constantly stressing over rent. The season brilliant weaves Kwabena's professional compromises with his personal integrity, asking whether the price of entry into the elite media class requires the sacrifice of one's own voice. It is a storyline packed with biting satire and genuine heart, proving why Dreaming Whilst Black streaming BBC iPlayer is currently the best decision you can make with your remote control.
Director's Style & Cinematic Elements: Elevated Surrealism
Adjani Salmon’s transition from creating 10-minute YouTube webisodes to helming a flagship half-hour BBC comedy has been seamless, and the visual language of Season 2 reflects a massive leap in confidence. The directorial approach—shared across the season by a talented team but clearly guided by Salmon's vision—is defined by its ability to oscillate between grounded, awkward realism and elevated, hilarious surrealism. The camera work during the industry meetings is deliberately static and claustrophobic, lingering on the excruciating silences and performative allyship of white executives. This visual stillness forces the audience to sit in the discomfort alongside Kwabena, making the microaggressions feel visceral rather than merely written.
However, where the show's visual style truly shines is in its fantasy sequences. Whenever Kwabena zones out, the show transitions into highly stylized, cinematic daydreams that act as a release valve for his frustrations.
This season, the fantasies are grander and more absurd. When imagining his version of a period drama, the screen bursts with vibrant, culture-melding costumes and dialogue that brilliantly juxtaposes Regency-era affectations with Jamaican patois ("One doth think he is... a pussyclart!"). These sequences highlight the fact that Salmon, as a real-life creator, is a far more competent and visionary director than the fictional Kwabena is currently allowed to be.
The editing rhythm is sharp, leaning into the comedic timing of awkward pauses—a technique reminiscent of The Office or Atlanta. The soundtrack also plays a crucial role, featuring an eclectic mix of contemporary UK rap, afrobeats, and classic reggae that grounds the show authentically in the Black British experience. For viewers exploring the 20 best BBC TV series right now, the production value here proves that the broadcaster is investing heavily in fresh, visually dynamic storytelling. A look at the show's official IMDb page reveals a crew dedicated to maintaining the authentic, independent spirit of the original web series while utilizing the resources of a major network.
Themes & Deeper Meaning: The Price of the Ticket
To truly appreciate the brilliance of this series, one must look beneath the comedy. The thematic core of Dreaming Whilst Black explores the concept of institutional gatekeeping and the specific tax placed on Black creatives. The show interrogates the idea of "representation," questioning whether simply having a Black director behind the camera is enough if the scripts, casting, and final edits are still controlled by a white establishment that prioritizes comfortable caricatures over authentic narratives. When viewers search for Dreaming Whilst Black themes, they are often looking for the show's nuanced take on complicity.
One of the most powerful moments of the season occurs when the veteran actor Rudolph Williams confronts Kwabena about his people-pleasing directorial style on the set of Sin and Subterfuge. It forces Kwabena to realize that his desperation to stay employed is causing him to perpetuate the very exclusion he has spent his life fighting against. The show brilliantly illustrates how the price of entry into a privileged elite is often the abandonment of one's peers.
Additionally, the show uses its humor to explore the generational divide within the Black British community. The elders in Kwabena's family are ruthlessly pragmatic, viewing his pursuit of a creative career with a mixture of skepticism and tough love. The show juxtaposes the artistic struggles of millennials with the survivalist mentalities of their parents, creating a rich tapestry of familial obligation. This nuanced exploration of cultural expectations makes it a profoundly moving viewing experience, akin to the deeply relatable family dynamics discussed in our piece on parenting chaos and finding humor in the mess.
Acting Performances: Comedy Masterclass
A comedy of this nature lives or dies on the strength of its ensemble, and the Dreaming Whilst Black cast delivers flawlessly. Adjani Salmon is a revelation. He anchors the show with a performance that is inherently reactive; so much of the comedy comes simply from watching Kwabena process the utter nonsense happening around him. Salmon has mastered the art of the bewildered stare and the forced, customer-service smile. Yet, he also allows Kwabena to be flawed. He is sometimes selfish, occasionally spineless, and often makes the wrong choices in his pursuit of success, making him a deeply human and relatable protagonist.
The supporting cast is equally stellar. While Babirye Bukilwa’s Vanessa takes a slight back seat this season due to the breakup, her presence is still felt, and her scenes remain grounded and emotionally resonant. The standout addition this season is Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Rudolph Williams. He brings a quiet, commanding dignity to the role, acting as the moral compass Kwabena desperately needs.
"Kwabena is the only Black man in England that never got any work out of Black Lives Matter." — Uncle Claude
The elders, particularly Roger Griffiths as Uncle Claude, steal every scene they are in, delivering devastatingly accurate and hilarious critiques of Kwabena's life choices. Furthermore, the meta-casting of Kayode Ewumi (creator of the beloved Enterprice) as an aspiring director whom Kwabena inadvertently screws over adds a brilliant layer of insider industry commentary. When evaluating the best comedic ensembles on television, this cast stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the talent praised in our look at the 10 Must-Watch Upcoming Prime Video Shows.
Strengths: A Satire With Teeth
What makes Dreaming Whilst Black an absolute must-watch is its refusal to pull punches. The writing is exceptional, consistently hitting a tone that is thoughtful-yet-funny and freewheeling-yet-focused. It does what the best satires do: it makes you laugh out loud before making you wince at the uncomfortable truth of the joke. The show's ability to skewer the media industry's performative diversity initiatives—like the obsession with hiring influencers over actors for "reach"—is devastatingly accurate.
A major strength of Season 2 is its structural confidence. The writers are not afraid to sideline Kwabena entirely for an episode to serve the broader narrative. The standout episode "Black Love" is a perfect example; it abandons the industry satire completely to focus on the date nights of three different Black couples at varying life stages. It is a beautiful, tender, and hilarious half-hour of television that proves the show can operate brilliantly even without its central conflict.
Furthermore, the show's authenticity is unassailable. Salmon has stated that every absurd, racially insensitive situation depicted on the show is based on something that actually happened to him or someone he knows. This lived experience translates directly to the screen, creating a show that feels incredibly specific yet universally relatable to anyone who has ever tried to navigate a corporate hierarchy.
Areas for Improvement: The Caricature Trap
If there is a critique to be made of this near-perfect second season, it lies in the handling of some of the white supporting characters. In the first season, the micro-aggressors were played with brilliant, insidious nuance (notably by Peter Serafinowicz). In Season 2, some of the industry figures skew closer to broad caricatures. The Essex-accented influencer and the culturally appropriating colleague occasionally feel like easy targets, lacking the subtle, terrifying realism of the executives from the first season. While the show ultimately shades some of these characters with nuance as the season progresses, their initial introductions border on sketch comedy rather than the grounded satire the show usually excels at. However, given the sheer volume of two-dimensional Black characters written by white writers over the last century of television, this is a minor—and perhaps ironic—flaw to forgive.
Comparative Analysis: The Vanguard of Modern Comedy
When putting Dreaming Whilst Black vs Atlanta, the comparisons are inevitable and well-earned. Both shows are created by their Black leads, both deal with the music/entertainment industry, and both utilize surrealism to explore racial dynamics. However, where Donald Glover's Atlanta often leans into horror and abstract existentialism, Salmon's series remains fundamentally rooted in the structure of a British workplace sitcom. It is warmer, more accessible, and explicitly focused on the mechanics of filmmaking rather than the music industry.
It also shares cinematic DNA with Issa Rae's Insecure and Aziz Ansari's Master of None, particularly in how it explores the intersection of professional ambition and millennial dating. Yet, what sets Dreaming Whilst Black apart is its distinct, unapologetic London identity. It captures the specific rhythms, dialects, and cultural markers of Black British life in a way that American equivalents cannot. For those looking to dive deeper into this specific brand of storytelling, checking out our list of 10 Gritty British Crime Dramas to Stream This Weekend offers a look at the dramatic side of UK television.
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Target Audience: Who is This Show For?
Is Dreaming Whilst Black worth watching? For fans of sharp, intelligent comedy, it is essential viewing. It is tailor-made for audiences who love industry satires, surrealist humor, and character-driven half-hour comedies. If you work in the creative industries, media, or any corporate environment that relies on buzzwords, you will find yourself cringing in recognition at Kwabena's struggles. It is an excellent choice for solo viewers looking for something smart, or couples looking for a comedy that sparks post-episode discussion. A mild content warning: the show contains strong language and mature themes, making it suitable for adult audiences.
Personal Impact: A Show That Lingers
Walking away from Season 2 of Dreaming Whilst Black, the feeling that settled in my chest was one of immense respect for Adjani Salmon. The show managed to make me laugh until my stomach hurt, while simultaneously forcing me to reflect on the compromises we all make to achieve our dreams. Watching Kwabena realize that getting the job isn't the end of the struggle, but rather the beginning of a much harder moral compromise, is a profoundly relatable experience. The show lingers in the mind because it tells the truth. It is a brilliant reminder that art should be a vehicle for expression, not just a stepping stone for corporate advancement.
Conclusion: A Triumph of British Television
In conclusion, our Dreaming Whilst Black review renders a confident verdict: this is one of the smartest, funniest, and most necessary comedies on television today. By transitioning Kwabena from a struggling outsider to a compromised insider, Adjani Salmon and his writing team have deepened the show's satirical bite while retaining all of its heart and surrealist humor. It is a masterclass in tone, offering a devastating critique of the media industry wrapped in a laugh-out-loud sitcom.
Whether you are a returning fan or a newcomer ready to binge the series, you must stream this show. Dreaming Whilst Black Season 2 is currently available to watch in its entirety on BBC iPlayer. Do not miss the chance to watch one of Britain's brightest creative voices operating at the absolute peak of his powers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dreaming Whilst Black worth watching? Yes, it is widely considered one of the best and sharpest British comedies in recent years. It brilliantly balances laugh-out-loud humor with poignant commentary on race, class, and the creative industries.
Do I need to have seen Season 1 to watch Season 2? While you could theoretically jump in, you really must watch Season 1 to understand Kwabena's journey, his relationships, and the immense struggle it took for him to finally get an agent and a directing job.
Where can I watch Dreaming Whilst Black in the UK / US? In the UK, all episodes of Dreaming Whilst Black are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. In the US, the series is co-produced by and available to stream on Showtime / Paramount+.
Is Dreaming Whilst Black suitable for families / couples? It is a great watch for couples, sparking excellent conversation. However, it is not suitable for young families due to strong language, sexual references, and mature thematic content.
Does Dreaming Whilst Black have a happy ending? Without giving away Dreaming Whilst Black spoilers, the season finale masterfully ties up several storylines in ways that are both neatly ironic and bitterly plausible, leaving the door wide open for a highly demanded third season.
Is Dreaming Whilst Black based on a true story or a book? It is not based on a book, but creator Adjani Salmon has stated that almost every racially insensitive or absurd industry moment in the show is based on real experiences he or his colleagues have faced.
How long is Dreaming Whilst Black / How many episodes does it have? Each season consists of six episodes. With a runtime of approximately 25-30 minutes per episode, it is a fast-paced, highly binge-watchable comedy.
Dreaming Whilst Black vs Atlanta — which is better? They are different beasts. Atlanta is more surreal, abstract, and heavily focused on the music industry and existential dread. Dreaming Whilst Black is warmer, more grounded in workplace sitcom structures, and specifically explores the Black British experience in filmmaking.
Will there be a sequel / Season 3 of Dreaming Whilst Black? While the BBC has not officially greenlit Season 3 as of early 2026, the critical acclaim, BAFTA wins, and open-ended finale of Season 2 make a renewal highly likely.
Who plays Kwabena in Dreaming Whilst Black? The lead character, Kwabena Robinson, is played by the show's creator and writer, Adjani Salmon.
About the Director
Adjani Salmon is a BAFTA-winning Jamaican-British writer, actor, and director who has rapidly become one of the most exciting voices in modern television. A graduate of the MetFilm School in London, Salmon initially struggled to find footing in the traditional television industry. Taking matters into his own hands, he co-created, wrote, and starred in the original Dreaming Whilst Black web series in 2018. The web series garnered massive critical acclaim and festival awards, eventually leading to a BBC Three pilot and full series commission. Known for his ability to blend sharp social satire with grounded, relatable character comedy, Salmon is also currently developing a new sitcom project titled Gabby's with BBC Studios.
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