John Boyega to feature in Damilola Taylor documentary

Star Wars actor John Boyega is set to appear in a BBC documentary examining the killing of his childhood friend Damilola Taylor. The programme, titled 'Damilola: The Untold Story', will focus on the final 24 hours of Taylor's life. Boyega was among the last people to see Taylor alive before the 10-year-old was fatally injured on November 27, 2000, in a stairwell in Peckham, south-east London.

Exploring the impact of the killing

Boyega, who is 34, said he was inspired to speak about the incident for the first time due to the team behind the documentary and their intentions. He told The Standard that while he had watched previous documentaries about Taylor, this felt like the right moment to discuss the origins of the case and its effect on those in the surrounding area. He expressed a belief that the film is informative and positive, aiming for a long-term beneficial impact.

The documentary will include contributions from other close friends and family members of Damilola Taylor, who will share their experiences of how the killing affected their lives. Boyega stated that the incident provided him with a significant perspective on life, noting that his experiences have led him to feel as though he has lived longer than his 34 years. He added that watching the documentary allowed him to see that growth had occurred despite the negative experiences, motivating him to participate in what he considered a positive project.

Broadcast details

'Damilola: The Untold Story' is scheduled to air on BBC Two and be available on iPlayer on October 5.