John Boyega, known for his role as anti-racism campaigner Leroy Logan in Steve McQueen’s 2020 BBC series *Small Axe*, has reflected on his involvement in the documentary *Damilola: The Untold Story*, which airs on BBC Two. The film revisits the life and tragic death of Damilola Taylor, a young boy from Peckham, South London, whose killing sparked widespread public attention and debate around youth violence and policing.

Boyega, who grew up in Peckham himself, emphasized the resilience he witnessed within the community despite the negativity surrounding the area. He highlighted the efforts of people who “pulled up their bootstraps” to make a difference. For him, participating in the documentary was a way to explore his own past through art rather than traditional therapy. He said the project offered perspectives that helped him make sense of complex emotions tied to the story.

The film delves into the controversial police investigation following Damilola’s death, as well as the environment of fear and bullying linked to youth violence in the neighborhood. Boyega was particularly moved by a poem Damilola wrote, which was often recited publicly after his death. He remarked on the maturity and depth of the young boy’s writing, noting the respect it commanded from adults and comparing its significance to works by Shakespeare.

Reflecting on what Damilola’s future might have held, Boyega expressed his belief that the boy would have grown up to become a doctor or lawyer, describing him as someone destined for something special. The actor also spoke about the emotional experience of revisiting childhood memories through old VHS tapes, which brought a bittersweet appreciation of life and youth.

Boyega stressed the importance of learning from the tragedy to prevent similar incidents in the future. He pointed to the value of investing in extracurricular activities and community support for children as key measures to build safer and more nurturing environments. Citing his own experiences benefiting from such programs, he underlined the documentary’s positive intent to foster long-term impact.

Acknowledging the emotional difficulty of watching the film, Boyega said it brought him to tears as it involved “reliving” the painful events. However, he found solace in seeing the people who were deeply involved in Damilola’s life and who cared profoundly for him.

*Damilola: The Untold Story* is scheduled for broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday on BBC Two.