Sky will air a new documentary revealing the untold story of black hair on film sets.
Untold Stories: Hair on Set is owned by British actress and director Fola Evans-Akingbola (“Ten Percent,” “Night Agent”) and produced by One Umbrella Productions and Doc Hearts.
Featuring exclusive interviews with stars including Naomie Harris (Moonlight, Skyfall), Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones), David Ajala (Star Trek: Discovery) and Verona Rose (Top Boy), Black British performers share their stories of hidden hair struggles on set for the first time.
In the documentary, Fola Evans-Akingbola paints an intimate picture of how something as seemingly superficial as hair quickly reveals a whole story about what it means to be different in the place you call home.
It comes as Sky UK&I announces a new commitment that all productions of Sky Original programming featuring black talent will use make-up artists and stylists with experience working with afro-textured hair and darker skin tones.
Untold Stories: Hair on Set will air on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW from 1 October.
Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content, Sky UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to bring this powerful, relevant and exciting debut to a wider audience. The intimate and sometimes heartbreaking stories presented in the film highlight the need for more inclusiveness behind the scenes. Our commitment to Black talent is grounded in our ongoing work to ensure true inclusivity in all of our productions.”
Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios, said: “We remain committed to ensuring that the sets of all Sky Original dramas and comedies are an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves. Today’s commitment to providing qualified makeup artists and hairstylists with experience working with afro hair and darker skin tones is a key step in this journey.”
Directors Fola Evans-Akingbola and Jordan Pitt added: “This project has been a labor of love and we are honored that rising and established stars of the British entertainment industry have entrusted us with their untold stories. Their struggle forces us to reconsider how we think about race, identity, and belonging. The documentary celebrates the beauty of afro hair and we hope it will make a positive difference in bringing about change in the industry. We’re delighted the film has found its home on Sky.”
Andy Mundy-Castle, founder of Doc Hearts, said: “As the father of a young girl who may be facing these issues, Doc Hearts felt this project was absolutely right for him to support. Fola and Jordan had a clear and distinct voice in their approach and a unique twist on a familiar conversation. We love making films that have a significant impact, and we deliver on that promise. “We’re very proud that Sky not only saw the value in this film, but also took its own initiative and worked to address an industry issue that had been overlooked for many years.”
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