Are black actors discriminated against in the UK?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph....or-me-in-Britain.html

David Harewood seems to be inferring this, what is he suggesting that just because he is black, special leading roles should be created for him?

Seems to me to be just the same as a white actor complaining that there are not enough leading roles for him in 'Bollywood' movies.

[ludwig]

He's not complaining at all, or inferring that there should be more roles created for black actors. He's simply stating the fact that he hasn't had a job for 6 months and he thinks there are more opportunities for black actors in America.

[friedgreentomato]

No your example is not the same thing at all. And he is not suggesting that they should make special roles for black people.

As a multicultural society there are not that many shows on British TV that have black roles and if they do they tend to be painted as the bad guy - where as over in America there are quite a few shows that have a black guy as the lead.

why do you always try to paint something as overly negative when it involves someone of a different skin!

[anotheoldgit]

He is not on his own it seems, here is another black actor with almost the same thoughts, but he spells it out much more clearer.

http://www.telegraph....aims-black-actor.html

/// When I’m asked about my race I can’t, and won’t, pretend. If it curtails my earning potential, so be it. ///

/// “The BBC makes me angry because they already have our money, they’re not relying on advertisers, so why do we see so many programmes without a single black face? It’s laughable.” ///

We are predominately a 'white' country so it is only reasonable to assume that just on a percentage level there are very few leading parts available for black actors.

[mickrog]

a good actor regardless of colour will get top rolls

eg...Morgan Freeman a superb example of a true actor.

[FredPuli43]

No. He's saying no more than actresses say , when they complain that there aren't roles available, nor roles being written, for women of their particular age group.
We may look forward to you giving us the news item when some actress who is no longer young makes that complaint.

[rojash]

"He is not on his own it seems, here is another black actor with almost the same thoughts"

Not the same thoughts at all. As has already been pointed out to you, David Harewood is simply stating a fact, without complaint.

[weecalf]

I was once passed over for the part in a play because I was to small didnt bother me it was in the title role too somebody White and the seven guys.

[andy-hughes]

No I don't think he is inferring anything of the kind. He is stating a fact, and he does not appear to be complaining about a situation he cannot change.

Your comparions with a whilte actor in 'Bollywood' movies is ludicrous - there is an entire national industry of film-making in India with dozens of experienced actors who speak the required language and are well aware of the cultural requirements of such roles in what is a seriously specialised market.

Why on earth would a white actor wish to appear in such a film, why would a director cast a white actor, and how on earth do you think this is a valid point?

[jomifl]

He could always do what 'Sly' did, write a script with himself as the star.

[bazwillrun]

"He's simply stating the fact that he hasn't had a job for 6 months and he thinks there are more opportunities for black actors in America."

in that case he knows what to do then

Bye !

[mickrog]

yes but Sly cant act

[rojash]

"in that case he knows what to do then "
What an idiotic remark - he's already done it, very successfully.

[dibble1]

why do people bring race into absolutely everything theses days?

[bazwillrun]

"We are predominately a 'white' country"

yes at the moment, but rest assured the powers that be are doing their best to make sure this afwul state of affairs doesnt persist for any longer than can be helped and are doing/have been doing their utmost to redress the balance.

[bazwillrun]

"What an idiotic remark"

no more so when compared to some of the absolute rubbish you have posted in the past

[anotheoldgit]

friedgreentomato

/// No your example is not the same thing at all. And he is not suggesting that they should make special roles for black people.///

No perhaps not in so many words, but Patrick Robinson it seems is much more forthright in his argument.

/// As a multicultural society there are not that many shows on British TV that have black roles and if they do they tend to be painted as the bad guy ///

Of course there are, just take the soaps for instance, I can't think of one that doesn't have a black actor in them, especially Eastenders which due to it's location has many black actors, then there has been Desmond's, The Hustle and much earlier The Fosters, not to mention all the crime dramas they appear in and not in the role of the villains as you have wrongfully pointed out.

/// where as over in America there are quite a few shows that have a black guy as the lead. ///

That is only to be expected taking into consideration the higher number of black people in the United States.

[andy-hughes]

"No perhaps not in so many words, but Patrick Robinson it seems is much more forthright in his argument."

Patrick Robinson may be more forthright, but his was not the link you posted in your original Question. Your point was an assumed inference which was simply not there - ands now you are using another example to back up your point.

Perhaps you would have been better quoting Mr Robinson in the first place - since his stance is more in keeping with the point you appear to be making.

[Zeuhl]

David Harewood seems to be inferring this

Don't know about that.

He was certainly IMPLYING it

(what was wrong with English teaching 85 years ago?)

[anotheoldgit]

FredPuli43

/// We may look forward to you giving us the news item when some actress who is no longer young makes that complaint. ///

Since it is you who is making this diverting comment, perhaps you could go to the trouble of providing us with the news item.

Or better still, enter the news item yourself as a question in it's own right?