Small Axe’s John Boyega reveals racist abuse scenes left him ‘so fuming’ he can’t remember filming them
SMALL Axe's John Boyega has revealed filming racist abuse scene left him so furious that he can't remember filming them.
The Star Wars actor described filming the new series as like undergoing “therapy”.
Boyega, 28, plays real-life police officer Leroy Logan in the third episode of the series titled “Red, White and Blue”.
Leroy in real life, who was an anti-racism reformer in the 1980s, who served as a member of the police force for 30 years.
He endeavoured to change racial attitudes and eradicate racism from the force, after his father was brutalised at the hands of two former policemen.
Boyega told Radio Times doesn't remember filming the scene where Leroy finds racist graffiti in his locker.
"I don't remember filming that scene, I just remember fuming and being angry.
"I didn’t see the locker room or the locker door until those cameras were rolling. So that reaction was all natural to the character and the choices I thought he would make."
Boyega also recalled an experience of racism closer to home, which involved his father being stopped by cops on the way home from church.
He added: "Everybody knows, especially if you grew up in Peckham, somebody who's gone through the darkest scenarios with the police. I do. I know a few people.”
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Small Axe follows five tales from London’s West Indian community which took place between the late 1960s and early 1980s.
Other stars include Black Panther's Laetitia Wright, Malachi Kirby from Black Mirror, Top Boy and Blue Story star Michael Ward, Lost in Space star Shaun Parkes and Line of Duty actress Rochenda Sandall.
The other four hour-long episodes are titled Mangrove, Lovers Rock, Alex Wheatle and Education.
Catch the first episode of Small Axe on Sunday 15 November on BBC One at 9pm.