The Trials of Pa Salieu
After prison, Coventry musician Pa Salieu returns with renewed purpose and takes the stage at Glastonbury. While he fights to rebuild his career, can music save him again?
Documentary following British鈥揋ambian musician Pa Salieu at a pivotal moment as he attempts to rebuild his life and career after prison. Released in 2024 but still on probation, he prepares to return to live performance while navigating curfews, travel restrictions and the risk of recall.
With exclusive access to Pa, his family and team, the film follows his comeback. Cameras are with the Coventry rapper through studio rehearsals and backstage preparations. They capture the pressure of stepping back onto one of the world鈥檚 most iconic stages at Glastonbury. But touring in Europe hangs in the balance as Pa's team awaits permission from the probation service to allow him to travel. Pa is faced with a decision: break contractual commitments and disappoint his fans or risk returning to prison.
The film explores the events of 2018 that resulted in the hospitalisation of one man and the death of Pa's best friend. In intimate scenes, Pa reads from diaries he wrote while in prison, confronting his unresolved grief, where putting words on paper became both therapy and survival.
On the day of his release, Pa is collected by his music team and driven straight to the studio, where he鈥檚 eager to record new material and channel his experiences. The documentary follows this next chapter as he navigates ambition with accountability. It culminates with Pa鈥檚 Mercury Prize Album of the Year nomination for his mixtape Afrikan Alien, where he performs live alongside some of the biggest names in British music.
With exclusive access to one of the UK鈥檚 most exciting artists, the film captures the intensity of a comeback where music is both an outlet and a lifeline. Through studio sessions, live performances and the constant tension between freedom and restriction, it offers an intimate portrait of an artist transforming experience into music, determined to define his next chapter on his own terms.
On TV
Clips
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Pa gets a wake-up call after being shot
Duration: 00:55
-
Pa Salieu: My Comeback
Duration: 01:31
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Editor | Yasmine Almosawi |
| Executive Producer | Jenny Popplewell |
| Executive Producer | James Rogan |
| Director | Flynn Esther |
| Production Manager | Nickie Hyde |
| Production Company | Rogan Productions Ltd |
Broadcasts
- Tuesday 22:10
- Wednesday 00:10麻豆社 One except Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland HD, Scotland & Scotland HD
- Wednesday 00:15麻豆社 One Northern Ireland HD & Northern Ireland only
- Wednesday 01:25麻豆社 One Scotland & Scotland HD only
- Wednesday 01:30
- Wednesday 23:35
- Yesterday 22:00
- Today 01:55
- Tomorrow 03:10
- Monday 01:15
- Wednesday 22:00
- Next Saturday 00:00
- Sun 5 Apr 2026 02:00
- Wed 8 Apr 2026 02:10
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