My Name Is Leon

The BBC adaptation of Kit De Waal's 2016 novel is inspired by some of the author's real life experiences of growing up in Birmingham.

That said, My Name Is Leon still stems from many of her own personal experiences – De Waal also grew up in Birmingham, and her mum was a foster carer. A story of racism, classism, and the failures of the fostering and adoption system, the one-off show is adapted from Kit De Waal’s 2016 novel of the same name. Set in 1980s Birmingham, against the backdrop of Prince Charles and Diana’s Royal Wedding and a surge in rioting and escalating racial tensions, My Name Is Leon follows the journey of a nine-year-old mixed race boy who is taken into care, and quickly separated from his white brother.

Newcomer Cole Martin is captivating as a young boy whose life is turned upside down when he is taken into foster care.

At times, the handling of the fraught racial context feels slightly rushed and trite, perhaps due to the limited time there is to work with. As the dirty nappies pile up and the food runs out, a worried neighbour pays a visit. Sir Lenny Henry, the show’s executive producer, will no doubt delight viewers with his cameo role as Mr Johnson, a mentor on the allotments. young boy stands frozen on an unfamiliar street in the middle of the night, clutching a bundle tightly to his chest. Martin is captivating as Leon, beautifully toeing the precarious line between naivety and untimely maturity with skill well beyond his years. This is how we are forced to piece together much of the story of 10-year-old Leon’s turbulent life.

Based on Kit de Waal's novel of the same name, this film beautifully renders a childhood punctured too early by life's cruelties.

In a novel, there is more space to offer nuance that will speak to an adult audience, despite a young narrator. For older viewers, the script is occasionally heavy handed in its message and the overly sentimental ending adds to the sense that this might be more suited to family viewing. Because it is not just being a child forced to grow up too fast that Leon is reckoning with.

Here's who's on the cast of BBC's new TV adaptation of award-winning novel My Name Is Leon. Kit de Waal's lauded debut novel My Name is Leon has been.

The subject matter has deep resonance, and my character is both grotesque and very real. Olivia Williams commented: “This film is a real challenge for me. “And it could not have come at a more appropriate time.

Cole Martin plays Leon · Malachi Kirby plays Tufty · Monica Dolan plays Maureen · Poppy Lee Friar plays Carol · Olivia Williams plays Sylvia · Christopher Eccleston ...

Where have I seen Sir Lenny Henry before? Where have I seen Christopher Eccleston before? Where have I seen Monica Dolan before? Where have I seen Cole Martin before? She's a single parent who is unable to look after Leon and his infant brother due to her post-natal depression. Who is Maureen? Maureen is a long-time foster carer who takes in Leon and his brother.