"Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd, a powerful 99-minute documentary, explores the aftermath of the police killing that sparked a wave of protests around the world and became one of the defining moments of modern history.
Abroad? Here's how to watch "Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" online from anywhere with a VPN — and potentially for free.
"Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" premieres on Weds, 21 May on BBC One and is available to stream online in the U.K. the same day.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
Incorporating interviews with George Floyd's family and Chief Medaria Arradondo, the Minneapolis police chief who took the bold step of testifying against one of his own officers, "Backlash" looks beyond the civil unrest.
It reveals how social media became a powerful weapon in mobilising protests in the U.S., U.K. and beyond, and why thousands of people defied strict curfews to demand an end to police brutality.
Derek Chauvin, the police officer who knelt on Floyd's neck and back for over nine minutes, was eventually convicted on two counts of murder and one count of manslaughter.
Now, five years later, director Kwabena Oppong brings us up to date with Black Lives Matter and those who continue to be affected by the shockwaves of May 2020.
Read on to find out where to watch "Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" online from anywhere in the world.
How to watch 'Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd' for free in the U.K.
How to watch "Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" from abroad
Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), the BBC's latest documentary, "Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" (2025), should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software enables your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where you are in the world. Our favorite is NordVPN, which unblocks iPlayer and most other streaming sites.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch the show. Head to BBC Two to watch "Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" online and on-demand.
Can I watch 'Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd' in the United States?
As yet, "Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" is not available in the U.S. – it is, however, streaming for free in the U.K..
So what if you are a Brit in the States for work or on vacation and you are craving to watch "Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd"? Fear not, you can catch the show for free by using a VPN such as NordVPN (save 70%), choosing U.K. from the list. This will unblock the BBC iPlayer streaming service.
Watch 'Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd' online and on-demand in the U.K. today
"Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" premiered on Wednesday, 21 May on BBC Two at 9.p.m. BST.
The 99-minute doc – directed by Kwabena Oppong – is available to watch for 11 months. The film is available to stream on BBC iPlayer the same day (typically in the hours before it airs on TV).
If you're not in the U.K., you can still catch the show by using one of the best VPN services, such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd' online in Canada?
As with the U.S., there is no release date for the BBC's George Floyd documentary in Canada as yet but, again, we will let you know here if/when it drops.
However, if you are a Brit in the Great White North for work or on vacation you can catch the documentary on your own domestic streaming platform by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd' online in Australia?
There is no release date for "Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" in Australia as yet.
However, if you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under and you want to catch the show much earlier you can do so by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
'Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd' episode guide
"Backlash: The Murder of George Floyd" (99 minutes)
Five years since the murder of George Floyd – the police killing that set America on fire with rage and sparked a wave of protests around the world – director Kwabena Oppong's film is a gripping account of one of the defining events in recent modern history.
The film tells the story through the eyes of some of those who found themselves on the front line as they reflect on the events of spring and summer 2020, and the impact these still have on their lives today.
With unseen archive footage and compelling interviews, this feature documentary tells the story of how the police killing in Minneapolis went viral, causing the biggest civil unrest in the US in living memory, and then went global, landing with enormous impact in the UK.
What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?
Lots – including "The Settlers", "Ludwig", "Tribe with Bruce Parry", "Strike: Ink Black Heart", "Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special", "Call The Midwife", "Doctor Who: Joy to the World", "Strictly Come Dancing", "Outnumbered" and plenty more.
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We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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