Black Cultural Archives will mark its sixth anniversary at its home of 1 Windrush Square by hosting an exclusive online event celebrating the return of the legendary comedy series, The Real McCoy.

Broadcast live from BCA’s Brixton location, The Real McCoy: Revisited will include conversations with the cast and crew from this ground-breaking show. Audiences will watch an exclusive interview with The Real McCoy producer and director Terry Jervis, a media entrepreneur and the man ‘Behind the Scenes’.

An award winning producer and director, Terry Jervis has gone on to receive critical acclaim internationally, working across the entertainment industry including being headhunted by Clarence Avant (The Netflix ‘Black Godfather’) as the first person outside of America, to set up a division at the legendary Motown label with the likes of Diana Ross, Gladys Knight and Boyz II Men.

He has also worked with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Tim Burton (Batman), Spike Lee, Will Smith, Queen, Madonna, Elton John, Natalie Cole, Janet Jackson, Luther Vandross, The Rolling Stones, The Williams Sisters.

Also launching channels with TRACE TV (with features on Beyonce, Rihanna, Def Jam) and SKY Sports (Specials on Venus & Serena Williams, Rio Ferdinand, Lewis Hamilton). In the business and civic arena he has worked companies and institutions such as the office of the Prime Minister at Number 10, Buckingham Palace, Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin and the Royal Air Force.

Get your tickets here

Hosted by television talent maverick Michelle Matherson and award-winning Cultural Producer Tobi Kyeremateng, the evening will give an unprecedented look into the making of The Real McCoy, with those involved sharing their real-life accounts of bringing this historic show to the small screen.

Following years of requests and campaigning by the Black communities, the Real McCoy will make its way back to our screens again through BBC iPlayer. From Wednesday 29 July 2020, a whole new generation of viewers will be able to discover and fall in love with this seminal show.

“It makes absolute sense for this event to happen at BCA which is the home of Black British history,” says BCA Managing Director, Arike Oke, “As we approach our 40th birthday next year, this event is a reminder of the vision left behind by one of our co-founders, Len Garrison. He wanted us to be a place of learning and celebration of our contributions to this country. “The Real McCoy is such an iconic show and so beloved by the community. It was one of the few times that Black people would be able to see themselves in lead roles on-screen during the 90s. As a keeper of African and Caribbean histories in this country, hosting this event at BCA is one of the many ways we are capturing our stories and making it available to the world. There are very few productions like The Real McCoy in British television history. We at BCA are proud to be a part of celebrating its return”.

You’ll also be able to to buy special edition merchandise with proceeds going to support the securing of the future of the BCA, including signed goodies, copies of Terry Jervis’ book ‘Spirit of the Pharaoh’ and special edition BCA collectables.

To find out more about the Black Cultural Archives 2030 strategy designed to ‘Secure the Future’ of the Black Cultural Archives click here 

This event has been produced by Niche on Demand and supported by The TV Collective, the Black Ticket Project and the Screen Nation Film and Television Awards.