Naomie Harris, known for her versatile acting talent, will provide the narration for the forthcoming documentary titled “Swim Sistas.” This film highlights the significant connection between Black women and swimming.
Directed by Catherine Joy White, who is also an actress and author, “Swim Sistas” is envisioned as a “poetic and visually rich love letter to water, sisterhood, and the resilience of Black women across generations.”
The documentary showcases the experiences of four Black British women: Alice Dearing, the U.K.’s first Black female Olympic swimmer; Jasmine Boatswain, a professional rugby player and former contestant on “The Traitors”; teenage athlete Lexi Sandiford; and Roni Bruno, who first learned to swim at the age of fifty-four.
With original poetry penned by White, the film is characterized as “a heartfelt exploration of visibility, community and reclamation.” Harris will narrate as ‘Mami Wata,’ a poetic figure that symbolizes ancestral strength and hope for upcoming generations.
Produced by Oriane Pick and Anais Ferrato from BAFTA-nominated Candid Broads Productions, and executive produced by Afua Hirsch (“Enslaved,” “Africa Rising”) and Amandla Crichlow (“Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul”), the film emerges from White’s Forbes 30 Under 30 company, Kusini Productions.
Hirsch commented on the collaboration with White, stating, “Working with Catherine Joy White on ‘Swim Sistas’ has been an inspiring collaboration rooted in shared purpose and creative power. At Born In Me Productions, we are passionate about telling stories that reflect the richness and complexity of Black women’s experiences — and this film does exactly that.” She praised White for her vision and authenticity, emphasizing the importance of creating space for joy, freedom, and community.
Filming for “Swim Sistas” took place at the historical Penshurst Place in the U.K. This endeavor aims to address the concerning statistic that only 5% of Black adults in the U.K. can swim, according to Swim England.
Looking ahead, White is transforming “Swim Sistas”—initially a segment in Season 3 of Warner Bros. Discovery’s “Black Britain Unspoken”—into a mini-anthology series. This project is part of a broader initiative to create the first national archive in the U.K. that documents the experiences of Black women and girls in aquatic environments.
The development of this mini-series, which plans to expand geographically to the USA, Africa, and the Caribbean, is currently in progress, with production targeted for 2026.
Naomie Harris is represented by The Artists Partnership, WME, and Untitled Entertainment.
