The story of the UK's first black cop in the works at Revelation Films (EXCLUSIVE)

Revelation Films has acquired the worldwide rights to "I Am Norwell Roberts", the British director's autobiography first black policeman,Norwell Roberts.

UK-based Revelation is initially developing a feature-length documentary with plans to expand into scripted, told in the context of the social and political events of each decade of his life and career. These events will be presented through a mix of archival news, photography and era-defining music with the aim of giving audiences a better understanding of Norwell's struggles and successes in a world that was often against him. The film will be set alongside other defining events in the UK's black community that coincided with the trajectory of her life.

Published by John Murray Press in June 2022, "I Am Norwell Roberts" reached the top 10 on the Amazon charts and tells the story of the Metropolitan Police's first black officer, who joined the force in 1967. Norwell found he had a new job the same as the rest of the country - from a Daily Telegraphheadline that read "MET TO GET FIRST COLORED POLICEMAN".

Since that day, Roberts face has become a symbol – of acceptance, of strength of diversified police, of a changing Brittany. Although he became the poster child for progressive policing, his day-to-day reality was anything but. His career culminated in being awarded the Queen's Police Service Medal in 1996, a year before his retirement. In 2016, he received the Legend Recognition Award at the CA Awards in honor of his dedication to keeping the Black community safe and his determination to lead the way for the next generation.

Tony Carne, founder of Revelation Films, said: "The company was created on the back of an iconic film produced with the Terrence Higgins Trust [Higgins was one of the first people in the UK to die of an AIDS-related illness], 30 years later it seems appropriate to develop another film about a British icon. This is one of the most inspiring stories we have had the honor of developing. Norwell has spent his whole life being ahead of the curve and his sheer perseverance has been a big part of seeing change significant in British society."

"His focus and determination to simply be the best copper [cop] he can be, in the most test of circumstances, carved a furrow for the Met to become the far more racially diverse organization it is today. At a time when we desperately need a new, more compassionate to converse, disagree and find common ground, Norwell exemplifies that spirit,” Carne added.

Coming soon for Revelation is the third season of the crime hit "The Real Manhunter" for Sky Crime, and an exclusive three-year development deal with former Chief Detective Inspector Colin Sutton that sees the production of two true-crime investigative documentaries – "Bellfield" and "West End Girls: The Search for a Serial Killer".

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