Original Documentary “White Nanny Black Child” Ordered for Channel 5

A 90-minute documentary titled White Nanny Black Child has been commissioned by Channel 5. The documentary delves into the unexpected and terrible story of the unregulated fostering of black newborns and children into white families across the UK and its reverberating effects on all parties concerned.

Between 1955 and 1995, white British families unofficially fostered more than 70,000 children from West Africa whose parents had emigrated there in search of a better life. There are themes of mass migration, parenthood, childhood, identity, neglect, and abuse in White Nanny Black Child.

The film, co-produced by Doc Hearts and Tigerlily Productions, follows nine people who were placed in foster care as children as they participate in a therapeutic retreat.

The goal of the retreat is to promote emotional health and start a conversation they have never had before. Two therapists with extensive experience in group dynamics and comprehensive trauma processing are in charge of the retreat. Participants engage in a variety of group exercises designed to encourage the sharing of personal narratives that are both raw and revealing, with the ultimate goal of strengthening the group as a whole.

White Nanny, Black Child delves into deeper intimate experiences of diverse natures in its telling of modern British history. The film follows the adults as they undergo various therapies at the retreat, drawing the spectator into their stories and making them feel as though they, too, are breathing in and out of their characters’ experiences.

Adrian Padmore, Commissioning Editor, Factual for Channel 5 and Paramount+ says: “Doc Hearts is known for telling bold and authentic stories and that is what we wanted with White Nanny, Black Child. It’s a really heart-breaking story about modern day Britain which not many people know about, and one that we felt was extremely important to tell on our channel. We are both honoured and grateful to the contributors for taking part in the retreat and taking us along on their journey of healing.”

Executive Producer Andy Mundy-Castle added: “As a filmmaker of mixed Nigerian / British heritage this project has been a labour of love, with many twists and turns in which we are ultimately excited to have found a home on Channel 5. It speaks to the kind of content we are proudly known for and also showcases how brave Channel 5 have been in their trajectory over the recent years. We are stoked that this is a first in a partnership with the BFI Doc Society and cant wait for the world to see this very personal film.”

White Nanny Black Child is commissioned by Adrian Padmore for Channel 5, and executive produced by Andy Mundy-Castle at Docs Hearts. The Producer is Natasha Dack Ojumu at Tigerlily Productions.  It has been co financed by BFI Doc Society Fund.