Creators:
Steve McQueenDirected by:
Steve McQueenCinematography:
Shabier KirchnerComposer:
Mica LeviCast:
Thomas Coombes, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr, Malachi Kirby, Jodhi May, Shaun Parkes, Rochenda Sandall, Letitia Wright, John Boyega, Nigel Boyle, Gary Beadle (more)Episodes(5)
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Mangrove (E01)
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Lovers Rock (E02)
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Red, White and Blue (E03)
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Alex Wheatle (E04)
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Education (E05)
Plots(1)
Created and directed by Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), the anthology series Small Axe tells personal stories about London's West Indian community from the late-1960's to mid-1980's. The title is derived from a Jamaican proverb which has resonance throughout the Caribbean, "if you are the big tree, we are the small axe". Small Axe is also the title of a Bob Marley song from The Wailers' 1973 album Burnin'. It means that relatively marginal or small voices of dissent can successfully challenge more powerful voices. Steve McQueen says: "I felt these stories needed to be shared. I wanted to re-live, re-evaluate and investigate the journeys that my parents and the first generation of West Indians went on to deliver me here today calling myself a Black British person." (HBO Europe)
(more)Cast
Micheal Ward
Best series:
Top Boy (2011) (series)
Small Axe (2020) (series)
The A List (2018) (series)
![Kedar Williams-Stirling](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/160/164160228_e3fb18.jpg)
Kedar Williams-Stirling
UK
Best series:
Sex Education (2019) (series)
Roots (2016) (series)
Small Axe (2020) (series)
Romario Simpson
Best series:
Andor (2022) (series)
Small Axe (2020) (series)
Noughts + Crosses (2020) (series)
![Stephen Boxer](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/165/003/165003880_7f8d40.jpg)
Stephen Boxer
UK
Best series:
The Crown (2016) (series)
Garrow's Law (2009) (series)
Luther (2010) (series)
![Steve Toussaint](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/166/656/166656200_60cd19.jpg)
Steve Toussaint
UK
Best series:
It's a Sin (2021) (series)
Skins (2007) (series)
Line of Duty (2012) (series)
![Antonia Thomas](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/162/186/162186434_035956.jpg)
Antonia Thomas
UK
Best series:
Misfits (2009) (series)
The Good Doctor (2017) (series)
Lovesick (2014) (series)
![Liam Garrigan](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/160/246/160246203_781e91.jpg)
Liam Garrigan
UK
Best series:
Endeavour (2012) (series)
24: Live Another Day (2014) (series)
The Pillars of the Earth (2010) (series)
![Nadine Marshall](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/957/163957814_4e541f.jpg)
Nadine Marshall
UK
Best series:
Time (2021) (series)
The End of the F***ing World (2017) (series) - actor, a.f.
Criminal Justice (2008) (series)
![Calum Callaghan](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/159/326/159326140_0f7ccb.jpg)
Calum Callaghan
UK
Best series:
Silk (2011) (series)
Mr. Selfridge (2013) (series)
Torchwood (2006) (series)
Sheyi Cole
Best series:
Atlanta (2016) (series)
Small Axe (2020) (series)
Full Circle (2023) (series)
![Robbie Gee](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/000/277/277292_e36216.jpg)
Robbie Gee
UK
Elliot Edusah
Best series:
Small Axe (2020) (series)
Ashley McGuire
Best series:
It's a Sin (2021) (series)
Derek (2013) (series)
Miranda (2009) (series)
Johann Myers
Best series:
Black Mirror (2011) (series)
Luther (2010) (series)
State of Play (2003) (series)
![Sharlene Whyte](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/168/382/168382745_dtz7me.jpg)
Sharlene Whyte
Best series:
Jonathan Creek (1997) (series)
Small Axe (2020) (series)
Hidden (2011) (series)
![Josette Simon](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/164/143/164143754_718f98.jpg)
Josette Simon
UK
Best series:
Broadchurch (2013) (series)
Capital City (1989) (series)
Agatha Christie: Poirot (1989) (series)
![Naomi Ackie](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/957/163957816_39df02.jpg)
Naomi Ackie
UK
Best series:
The End of the F***ing World (2017) (series) - actor, a.f.
Small Axe (2020) (series)
The Five (2016) (series)
![Jo Martin](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/168/212/168212545_d56jxh.jpg)
Jo Martin
UK
Best series:
Fleabag (2016) (series)
Jonathan Creek (1997) (series)
Doctor Who (2005) (series)
![Kate Dickie](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/163/755/163755533_04d3ca.jpg)
Kate Dickie
UK
Best series:
Peaky Blinders (2013) (series)
Game of Thrones (2011) (series)
Still Game (2002) (series)
![Stewart Wright](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w88h116crop/files/images/creator/photos/159/765/159765047_d1263b.jpg)
Stewart Wright
Best series:
Black Books (2000) (series)
The Vicar of Dibley (1994) (series)
Doctor Who (2005) (series)