Dreaming Whilst Black is officially headed back to U.S. screens.
Paramount+ with Showtime has announced that Season 2 of the British comedy will premiere on February 20, with new episodes rolling out weekly through March 27. The series, which already aired in the U.K. on the BBC, continues its partnership with Showtime for U.S. distribution.
Created by and starring Adjani Salmon, Dreaming Whilst Black follows Kwabena, a determined Black British filmmaker navigating the entertainment industry while trying to stay true to his creative values. The series is produced by A24 and Big Deal Films.
In the new season, Kwabena finally appears to be on the brink of a major breakthrough when he’s offered his first high-profile directing opportunity: a bold, “color-blind” historical drama. What initially feels like long-awaited validation quickly becomes more complicated, forcing him to confront whether success in the industry truly aligns with the principles he’s fought to protect.
Season 2 expands the show’s scope, shifting Kwabena into what’s being described as a “new era” of his career—one shaped by the industry’s post-2020 rhetoric around diversity, equity, and inclusion. While the business outwardly presents itself as progressive, the reality proves far murkier for Kwabena as he tries to balance ambition, integrity, and survival.
Speaking about the upcoming season, Salmon shared that the new episodes push the series further both comedically and emotionally, digging deeper into Kwabena’s professional frustrations and chaotic personal life. That includes his ongoing, unresolved relationship with Vanessa, played by Babirye Bukilwa, which continues to anchor the show’s emotional core.
Returning cast members include Dani Moseley, Demmy Ladipo, Rachel Adedeji, and Babirye Bukilwa. The ensemble once again surrounds Kwabena as he attempts to navigate opportunity, exploitation, and the cost of compromise in an industry that often speaks the language of change without fully embracing it.
The series is created by Salmon alongside Maximilian Evans, Natasha Jatania, and Laura Seixas. Season 2 is written by Salmon, Thara Popoola, Ali Hughes, and Yemi Oyefuwa, and directed by Sebastian Thiel and Abdou Cissé. Executive producers include Salmon, Hughes, Dhanny Joshi, and Thomas Stogdon, with Nicola Gregory serving as producer.
Season 1 of Dreaming Whilst Black earned widespread critical acclaim, landing on multiple “best of” television lists and receiving nominations from BAFTA TV, NAACP Image Awards, and the Film Independent Spirit Awards. The series originated as a BAFTA-winning web series before being adapted for television.
Following its U.S. release on Paramount+ with Showtime, the series is also set to return to the BBC later this year.