The Kitchen: Everything you need to know about the new Netflix film co-written by Daniel Kaluuya and starring Kane Robinson

Academy Award winner Daniel Kaluuya, best known for his stand-out performances in Get Out, Black Panther, and Judas and the Black Messiah, has co-written a new film for Netflix alongside Joe Murtagh (Calm with Horses, Gangs of London).

The Kitchen is directed by Kibwe Tavares, who was nominated for the Sundance Short Film Grand Jury Prize for Jonah, also starring Daniel Kaluuya. He also executive produced acclaimed sci-fi drama Noughts & Crosses for the BBC.

Kaluuya recently let the cat out of the bag by posting a photo of the script on his Instagram account. It’s early days, but the ball has definitely started rolling and Top Boy star Kane Robinson is already on board in a lead role. 

What’s The Kitchen about? 

"We’re sure to learn more about the film and who’s involved nearer to its release date, but the following Netflix summary should give you a good idea about the plot:

"The Kitchen is set in London, 2044, a future where the gap between rich and poor has been stretched to its limits.

"All forms of social housing have been eradicated and London’s working classes have been forced to live in temporary accommodation on the outskirts of the city. The Kitchen is the first and the largest of its kind. It’s London’s last village harbouring residents that refuse to move on and move out of the place they call home.

"It’s here we meet Izi, a resident of The Kitchen who is desperately trying to find a way out, and 12-year-old Benji, who has lost his mother and is searching for a family. We follow our unlikely pair as they battle to survive in a system that is stacked against them."

Speaking about the inspiration behind The Kitchen, Kaluuya explains:

“In 2011, I was in my barbershop and there was a guy boasting about smash and grabs – kids doing million-pound heists in a minute, getting paid £200 to do it. I saw the potential to unlock a unique story door to the inequality, fatherhood, class, joy, resilience, courage, defiance and care of London.

“Now, nearly a decade later, Kibwe Tavares, Daniel Emmerson and I are about to start production, immersing ourselves in a dystopian London that interrogates what 'care' means, at home and as a society and the dangers in our future if we stay indifferent to everything around us.”

Director Kibwe Tavares added:

“The Kitchen is very much a love letter to London, the city that has defined my childhood and ultimately my identity. It’s set in an extreme version of our current world; our characters have little choice but to let the city take over them. Through Benji, a 12-year-old in need of care, we explore what we as society lose in the ever-changing and shifting patterns of life, of our cities. This is a film for all the communities out there that are trying to take care of each other.” 

Who’s cast in The Kitchen?

The full cast is yet to be announced, but keep an eye on this page to get all the latest details as we get them.

What we do know is that Top Boy star and UK grime artist, Kane ‘Kano’ Robinson, above, will star as a character called Izi.

He’ll be joined by young newcomer Jedaiah Bannerman, below, playing co-lead Benji. He was discovered by acclaimed casting director Aisha Bywaters (The Last Tree, We Are Lady Parts, County Lines). Aisha was selected for Bafta Breakthrough 2021 and will launch a host of young British talent on The Kitchen.

Where was The Kitchen filmed?

The Kitchen will shoot on location in London and Paris.

When and where can I watch The Kitchen?

There is no set release date yet for The Kitchen, but expect it to air on Netflix in 2023. 

Is there a trailer for The Kitchen?

There’s no trailer yet, but keep an eye on this page for more details when we get them.