Empire Road(1978)

Empire Road is a British television series created by Michael Abbensetts for the BBC in 1978–1979. Running for two seasons of eight episodes each, it was the first British TV series written, acted and directed predominantly by black artists. The soap opera follows the interconnected lives of African-Caribbean, East Indian and South Asian residents living on a diverse street in Birmingham, drawing comparisons to Coronation Street for its intimate community focus. The ensemble cast includes Norman Beaton, Corinne Skinner-Carter, Wayne Laryea, Joseph Marcell and Rudolph Walker, with early appearances from Julie Walters. Filmed at BBC Pebble Mill with location shooting in Handsworth, Empire Road captured the texture of multicultural British life during a pivotal cultural moment. The show's theme song, performed by reggae band Matumbi, was released as a single.