Actor John Boyega speaks candidly in a new BBC Two documentary about the killing of his childhood friend, 10-year-old Damilola Taylor. Admitting to feeling nervous about revisiting the traumatic events of over two decades ago, Boyega explains that sharing these memories is a step he hopes may prove beneficial. His heart remains heavy while discussing a period he has long avoided in the public eye. “I feel a bit nervous,” confesses John Boyega, as he sits down in front of the camera. “Speaking about it could possibly help. Boyega was one of the last people to see Damilola alive. Be that his impassioned, impromptu address to thousands of people at a Black Lives Matter protest in Hyde Park, posing for the Pirelli calendar, or portraying an African king in a Hollywood movie, boyega is more often seen looking assured and confident. With broad shoulders supported by a proud stance, usually he stands tall. It feels as if he has almost reverted to the eight-year-old child he was nearly 26 years ago when he found out his friend had died, but in revisiting the memories of that day. A couple of hours later I reconvene with him at BBC New Broadcasting House to discuss the show. In person, Boyega is unassuming, with a calm demeanour and a welcoming smile.
The tragedy occurred on November 27, 2000, when Damilola was fatally stabbed in the leg with a broken bottle. The young boy was attacked while returning home from an after-school program at the Peckham library in south London. The subsequent legal pursuit for justice spanned six years, involved three separate trials at the Old Bailey, and incurred total costs of £16 million before a manslaughter conviction was finally secured.
Viewing the documentary ahead of its premiere at a Bafta screening, the 34-year-old actor appears visibly moved, reflecting the vulnerability of his eight-year-old self at the time of the incident. While Boyega is widely known for his assured performances in major projects like the Star Wars franchise and cult classic Attack the Block, this film captures him in a rare, reflective state, struggling with the weight of the past.
Boyega’s personal history with Damilola began at Oliver Goldsmith primary school in Peckham. His sister, Grace, was instructed by a teacher to look after Damilola because he was a new arrival from Nigeria. Boyega notes that he inherited the friendship through his sister, finding Damilola to be a hilarious and engaging companion. Reflecting on their youth, his father, Samson, recalls that John preferred the company of girls at the time, joking that his son once remarked, “Dad, boys are dangerous.” The pair had enjoyed a close friendship since Damilola’s move to the UK from Nigeria in August of that year.
The actor acknowledges that the death of his friend fundamentally altered his worldview, shattering his childhood belief that mortality was reserved only for the elderly. In the aftermath, Boyega became withdrawn, often preferring the safety of his bedroom over socializing. This protective instinct extended to his parents, who opted to send him to Westminster City School, a journey that required an hour-long bus ride, in an effort to distance him from the local environment.
The documentary also addresses broader systemic failures, including the criticism leveled at the police investigation for making significant errors. Boyega expresses frustration that the influence of the Stephen Lawrence case did not appear to yield more effective results in the handling of this inquiry. He remains deeply invested in the film, having reviewed daily edits on various devices, from phones to televisions, before seeing the final cut.
Beyond his professional acclaim in films such as The Woman King and They Cloned Tyrone, Boyega credits the way Damilola lived as a source of inspiration. He notes that the experience has shaped his own approach to parenting, intending to use the film as a reference point when his own child reaches an appropriate age. During the interview, he casually mentions his marriage of nearly two years, displaying a sentimental, two-toned wedding band.
The documentary features interviews with several figures central to the early stages of the investigation, including the estate worker who first discovered Damilola. While Boyega still finds his home borough of South London familiar, he admits that the area has changed significantly, noting that he often requires guidance to navigate the neighborhood now. Despite the passage of time, he maintains that the psychological impact of his friend’s death continues to foster a daily appreciation for his own life.
