Drama2020BBC One

The Best Episodes of Small Axe

Every episode of Small Axe ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Small Axe!

Best episode
S1E1 Mangrove
8.06,243 votes
Worst episode
S1E4 Alex Wheatle
6.82,709 votes
Top season
Season 1
7.5avg
Binge time
6h 46m
5 episodes
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons1

All1

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Small Axe Season 1 Episode 1 - Mangrove
    8.0/10(6243 votes)

    S1:E1

    The true story of The Mangrove Nine, who clashed with London police in 1970. The trial that followed was the first judicial acknowledgment of behaviour motivated by racial hatred within the Metropolitan Police.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writers:Alastair Siddons, Steve McQueen

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Small Axe Season 1 Episode 3 - Red, White and Blue
    7.6/10(3570 votes)

    S1:E3

    Spotlights the true story of Leroy Logan, who at a young age saw his father assaulted by two policemen, motivating him to join the Metropolitan Police and change their racist attitudes from within.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Small Axe Season 1 Episode 5 - Education
    7.5/10(2655 votes)

    S1:E5

    The coming of age story of 12-year-old Kingsley, who has a fascination for astronauts and rockets. When Kingsley is pulled to the headmaster's office for being disruptive in class, he discovers he's being sent to a school for those with "special needs." Distracted by working two jobs, his parents are unaware of the unofficial segregation policy at play, preventing many Black children from receiving the education they deserve, until a group of West Indian women take matters into their own hands.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writers:Steve McQueen, Courttia Newland

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Small Axe Season 1 Episode 2 - Lover's Rock
    7.4/10(5676 votes)

    S1:E2

    A single evening at a house party in 1980s West London sets the scene, developing intertwined relationships against a background of violence, romance and music.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Small Axe Season 1 Episode 4 - Alex Wheatle
    6.8/10(2709 votes)

    S1:E4

    Alex Wheatle follows the true story of award-winning writer, Alex Wheatle, from a young boy through his early adult years. Having spent his childhood in a mostly white institutional care home with no love or family, he finally finds not only a sense of community for the first time in Brixton, but his identity and ability to grow his passion for music and DJing. When he is thrown in prison during the Brixton Uprising of 1981, he confronts his past and sees a path to healing.

    Director:Steve McQueen
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"Mangrove" is the best rated episode of Small Axe. It scored 8.0/10 from 6,243 votes. Directed by Steve McQueen and written by Alastair Siddons, Steve McQueen, it aired on November 15, 2020. This episode scored 0.4 points higher than the second highest rated, "Red, White and Blue".

Keep going

Browse Small Axe by season

If you like Small Axe