Excluding us black actors from all kinds of period dramas is wrong. We have to say enough is enough
The comments by the producer of Midsomer Murders, who said "We just don't have ethnic minorities involved" in the show, are of no surprise to me, a British actor of African/Caribbean descent – nor I doubt to most black, Asian or other ethnic minority actors, entertainers, dancers, comedians etc (ITV producer in row over diversity remarks, 15 March).
As you reported, Brian True-May "suggested in an interview that there was no place in the programme for ethnic minorities and it was the 'last bastion of Englishness'".
Not surprisingly, ITV distanced itself, suspending him and saying: "We are shocked and appalled at these personal comments by Brian True-May which are absolutely not shared by anyone at ITV." True-May had said Midsomer "wouldn't be the English village" with ethnic minorities. In its 13 seasons, I imagine thousands of actors, including supporting artists, have appeared (presumably all white). So why is ITV so "shocked and appalled" only now? In all that time, why has it not done something about it?
I have trained at one of the most eminent drama schools in the UK and have over 20 years of experience in TV, theatre, radio and film. The broadcasting decision-makers – executive producers, producers, directors, casting directors, writers, and even our agents, who are meant to be on our side – are aware that True-May's ramblings are not isolated. They are aware that it is being thought, that it is being actioned, and yet for the most part they do nothing to put a halt to this discrimination, allowing it to continue year after year.
Take a look at the programming on any night of the week. Sky One's new flagship drama, Mad Dogs, has five white male leads. Can you imagine the same happening in the US? We ethnic minority actors are used to playing sidekicks or best friends to the leads. We're used to the endless period dramas – for example, ITV's Downtown Abbey – where, as a result of not being given an opportunity to be auditioned, we are left in no doubt that we have no chance of donning a period costume. By comparison, the current US TV drama Boardwalk Empire is set in 1920s prohibition America and yet has a black lead.
Still not convinced? Take a look at the front cover of TV Times, Radio Times or any of the TV listings magazines over the past year and see how many black or Asian faces are on the covers.
So when are we ethnic minority actors going to stand up to the prejudice and say enough is enough? To be honest, I have no idea: the problem is the "Let's not rock the boat", the "I'm doing all right", the "I don't want to come across as a troublemaker" syndrome. And so we remain frozen and unhappy, talented but not given the space or opportunity to express it. Many of us seek our futures across the Atlantic, where our work is more respected. We can then come back and be given a lead role, as did Idris Elba in BBC's Luther.
Brian True-May should lose his job – he's the kind of producer who prevents me from being seen or even considered for a job. I only wish more of us actors had the courage to speak out. But if we did, would the phone ever ring with the offer of a casting? So even I feel I have to remain anonymous.