What Does the K Stand For?

Synopsis

Stand-up meets sitcom in Stephen K Amos’s semi-autobiographical show about growing up black, gay and funny in 1980s London‘One of the most likable figures in British comedy Radio TimesComedian Stephen K Amos is one of eight children, whose parents came to London from Nigeria in the 60s. In these three series, co-written with multi-award-winning British playwright Jonathan Harvey, he takes us back in time to the 1980s, as he reminisces about his dysfunctional childhood and formative experiences, and shares the dramas and traumas of his teenage years.We join his younger self as he wrestles with his identlty; falls in love; overcomes his stage fright and takes the lead role in the school play, Balham Side Story. And as he takes his first steps into working life, he gets caught up in the Brixton riots, worries about his parents splitting up, and finally plucks up the courage to reveal a secret…Shaquille Ali-Yebuah stars as Young Stephen, and each show is hosted by Stephen K Amos himself, adding stand-up narration and his own comic perspective. Among the cast are Ellen Thomas and Don Gilet as Stephen’s mum and dad, Fatou Sohna as Stephanie Amos, Gemma Whelan as Miss Collins, Michelle Butterly as Miss Bliss and Frankie Wilson as Jayson Jackson.And the answer to the show’s title? You’ll have to listen and find out...Production creditsStephen K Amos – HimselfYoung Stephen – Shaquille Ali-YebuahStephanie Amos – Fatou SohnaVirginia Amos – Ellen ThomasVincent Amos/Tanktop – Don GiletMiss Collins – Gemma WhelanJayson Jackson/John the Baptist – Frankie WilsonPE Teacher/Red Coat/Philip/Check-in guy/Random Bloke – Harry JardineFanni – Emerald O'HanrahanFola – Kathryn DrysdaleBo Bells/Taxi driver/Stephanie Turner – Rachel AtkinsSamaritan/Policeman/Taxi driver – David SeddonMiss Bliss – Michelle ButterlyMary Magdalene/Bette Davis/Sophie – Nadia KamilBoy Roy – Ryan WatsonMiss Hunt/Moira Stuart/Fergie – Margaret Cabourn-SmithPrincess – Jocelyn Jee EsienDustin – Laurie KynastonWith Frances Barber, Bola Okun, Emerald Crankson, Karen Bartke and David SterneWritten by Jonathan Harvey with Stephen K AmosProduced by Colin Anderson and Paul SheehanViolin played by Rachel BarnesCover photography by Pal HansenFirst broadcast BBC Radio 4, 27 November 2013-1 January 2014 (Series 1), 31 December 2014-4 February 2015 (Series 2), 25 January-15 February 2017 (Series 3)© 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.