An article about the wonderfully gifted actor Sophie Okenedo in The Guardian (4th July 2014) mentioned that in order to find good parts she has to travel to the USA. She said, “I think a lot of it is [due to] costume and period drama, which must be, what, at least 40% of what we do here? Which means 40% of opportunities are closed to me already.”
Now this statement bothered me and not just because one of our best and brightest actors can’t find enough work in the UK. What’s really troubling is the apparent assumption amongst programme makers that costume and period drama is a Whites-Only zone. Peter Fryer’s Staying Power – the definitive history of black people in Britain – really ought to be required reading for anyone who produces period drama in the UK. Africans, Asians and their descendants have shaped British Culture and society…
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First Night History 
Very interesting Sarah. I had no idea that ‘The Searchers’ was based on a real event, though I believe that the bigotry of Wayne’s character in the film is dealt with to a reasonable degree. I did know about how many black soldiers served in the US armed forces though, from the Civil War, right through the Indian Wars. The film ‘Glory’ deals with attitudes during the Civil War, and is worth seeing, if too sentimental.
There was a strong part for a black actor in the recent TV series ‘The Mill.’ This was set in 1830, and the character was a free man, called Gardner. Attitudes towards his colour were fairly well done, if I recall. But I agree, they are few and far between, and usually unbearably stereotypical.
Best wishes, Pete.
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There are still far too many black criminals in drama.
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That’s for sure. But at the risk of being controversial, as someone who worked for the Police in London for 11 years, it says it like it is. I am not commenting on the background social issues, you understand. And when I was a young man, and all the criminals were white, it was still inexcusable.
Best wishes, Pete.
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