David Olusoga to get Bafta Special Award for ‘outstanding’ TV contributions
H
istorian and broadcaster David Olusoga will likely be honoured with a Bafta Special Award for being a “trailblazer” within the TV trade throughout his three-decade profession.
The 53-year-old will likely be offered with the prize on the British Academy Television Awards ceremony on May 14, with a particular commendation for his work in “widening perspectives” of how historical past is offered and “expanding the diversity of stories told”, Bafta stated.
The award is likely one of the academy’s highest honours and former recipients embrace sports activities commentator John Motson, comic Sir Lenny Henry, TV presenter Cilla Black and actor Idris Elba.
Nigeria-born Olusoga, who grew up in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, presents the BBC’s acclaimed and massively common documentary collection A House Through Time, which tells the story of people who have lived at a house from when it was constructed to the fashionable day.
His different credit embrace writing and presenting award-winning collection Black And British: A Forgotten History on BBC Two and the Bafta-winning BBC collection Britain’s Forgotten Slave Owners.
He has additionally penned seven books.
Olusoga, who’s a professor of public historical past on the University of Manchester, stated: “I am honoured to be the recipient of the Bafta Special Award 2023. It is humbling to have my work in television, as both a producer and a presenter, recognised in this way.”
Bafta boss Jane Millichip stated: “David Olusoga has made an outstanding contribution not just to the television community but to our society and culture.
“His commitment and bravery in reappraising how history is presented through television is inspiring. He represents the best of what television can do – its power to inspire, educate and challenge.
“David has made our industry and society a better place and this Bafta Special Award couldn’t be more deserved.”
In latest years, Olusoga has additionally led main interviews with former US president Barack Obama and held lectures, together with the Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart Lecture in 2020.
Bafta stated: “With a three-decade career spanning the creative arts and academia, Olusoga has been a trailblazer for the television industry, leading a reappraisal of how history has been traditionally told through popular culture.”
Olusoga will likely be offered with the award on the Royal Festival Hall in London on Sunday May 14. The ceremony will likely be hosted by comedians Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan and broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer at 7pm.