Power to the people

Idris Elba and Daniel Mays are on opposing sides in a new drama about the fight for black rights in 1970s London.

- Rebecca Mahoney

Racial tensions, police brutality and a pair of dogged detectives hell-bent on stamping out black activism are just some of the dramatic ingredients in Sky Atlantic’s gripping six-part thriller, Guerrilla.

Set in 1970s London, it follows nurse and black-power activist Jas Mitra (Freida Pinto) and her English teacher boyfriend Marcus Hill (Babou Ceesay), who’s struggling to find employment – and, indeed, respect – in an increasingly racist society.

TICKING TIME BOMB

But when the couple experience merciless police discrimination first-hand, after a peaceful protest rally against the 1971 Immigration Act spirals into bloodshed and tragedy, they decide to take drastic action.

‘Jas and Marcus are skilled and well-educated,’ says Pinto. ‘But like many of the immigration population at the time, Jas has had to take a job below the level her qualifications merit.

‘She’s frustrated and feels she needs to be doing something more radical than just protesting. She’s like a gentle ticking time bomb, but whatever happens, Jas and Marcus have each other’s backs.’