Small Axe

Episode one, Mangrove, tells the true story of Frank Crichlow (Shaun Parkes), whose West Indian restaurant Mangrove, a lively community hub in London’s Notting Hill, attracted locals, activists, intellectuals and artists.

In a reign of blatant racial discrimination, Crichlow finds himself and his drug-free business the brunt of relentless police raids. In a bid to stop the discrimination and ruination of their community base, Frank and his friends take to the streets in peaceful protest in 1970, only to be met by police aggression.

As a result, nine men and women, including Frank, leader of the British Black Panther Movement Altheia Jones-LeCointe (Letitia Wright), and activist Darcus Howe (Malachi Kirby), are wrongly arrested and charged with incitement to riot and affray. A highly publicised trial ensues, leading to a hard-fought win.

Mangrove was co-written by Alastair Siddons and Steve McQueen.

Pictured: Darcus Howe (Malachi Kirby), Altheia Jones (Letitia Wright), Frank Crichlow (Shaun Parkes), Barbara Beese (Rochenda Sandall)

Publicity contact: JS