My Name Is Leon | Preview (BBC Two)

My Name Is Leon is an adaptation of award-winning author Kit de Waal’s novel by Shola Amoo, writing his first screenplay for television.

Set in 1980s Birmingham, this special film tells the uplifting and incredibly moving story of nine year-old Leon, a mixed-race boy, and his quest to reunite his family after being taken into care and separated from his blond and blue-eyed baby brother.

Told through Leon’s eyes, we follow his journey, full of energy and hopefulness despite the hardships he encounters, and witness the touching relationship between him and his foster carer Maureen.

With his favourite action figure Sergeant Smith by his side, Leon’s adventure teaches him valuable lessons about himself, the world, love, and what family, in its various guises, really means.

My Name Is Leon stars Malachi Kirby, Monica Dolan, Olivia Williams, Christopher Eccleston, Poppy Lee Friar, Shobna Gulati, and Sir Lenny Henry CBE. Cole Martin plays the lead, Leon, in his first TV role.

My Name Is Leon airs Friday 10th June at 9pm on BBC Two.