Advanced Television

Osun Group announces White Man Walking BBC Storyville commission

May 15, 2025

White Man Walking, a feature-length documentary commissioned by BBC Storyville and produced by Osun Group, premieres on BBC Four and iPlayer on May 27th to mark the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s death.

The film follows white filmmaker Rob Bliss as he walks across America wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt, confronting hostility, armed Trump supporters, and unexpected moments of connection along the way.

Ahead of its UK premiere, European broadcaster ARTE has acquired rights for France and Germany, with a broadcast scheduled for June 8th. Mediawan Rights is managing worldwide sales for all other territories.

White Man Walking follows one man’s extraordinary journey as he walks through Trump’s America all the way to Washington in a Black Lives Matter t-shirt after the killing of George Floyd. Bliss’ journey across a deeply divided America becomes both a powerful call for unity and a stark exploration of fear. As he meets people on both sides of the racial and social divide, moments of hostility are contrasted by rare but meaningful connections with those who choose to walk beside him.

The film explores the deep racial and ideological divide in America, asking why advocating for Black lives sparks such visceral anger, particularly in poor, rural white communities. It is both a deeply personal journey and a broader call for empathy and understanding.

Osun Group founder and Executive Producer Luti Fagbenle said: “At Osun, we believe in telling stories that matter—even when they’re uncomfortable. White Man Walking is a rare and necessary film: a white man confronting racism not in theory, but face to face, in the streets. Racism isn’t just a Black burden to carry. It’s a system built and sustained by white silence. The film is a rare attempt to step into that silence and speak—to other white people with the message – BLACK LIVES MATTER.”  

Lucie Kon for BBC Storyville said: “This riveting and often shocking and emotional film about one man’s walk through modern America seems a fitting way to mark five years since George Floyd was publicly murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. Storyville is proud to bring another landmark international documentary to our UK audience.”

Commissioning executive for WDR & ARTE, Jutta Krug says of the film: “We are very excited to bring White Man Walking to Germany and France as a co-production for ARTE and the German public channel WDR. We are sure that the documentary will trigger a lot of attention – especially now that many people in Europe are watching closely what is happening in the USA.”

Produced by Osun Group (in association with Doc Hearts), the documentary is executive produced by Luti Fagbenle, founder and CEO of Osun Group, alongside BAFTA-winner Andy Mundy-Castle (White Nanny, Black Child), and Emmy-nominated Maxine Watson (African Queens). The film is co-directed by Rob Bliss and Grierson Award-winner Denise Alder (SALT), produced by Georgia Cassidy, and edited by Emmy-winner Jordan Montminy, with Afua Hirsch as Associate Director. Commissioned by Lucie Kon, Commissioning Editor for BBC Storyville. Commissioning executive for WDR and ARTE is Jutta Krug (Dying to Divorce).

White Man Walking is presented by Osun Group, the London-based production company behind boundary-pushing scripted and unscripted content that amplifies voices from the diaspora. Founded by Luti Fagbenle, Osun is led by a creative team including producer and Head of Drama, Sheila Nortley (Supacell, Stay Close), Head of Development Tara Ayeni (Maxxx, Robyn Hood), and Head of Unscripted Georgia Cassidy (Blue Therapy).

White Man Walking will premiere on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer in the UK on May 27th, and broadcast in Germany and France with ARTE on June 8th.

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