Shows that we watch because there are no specific UK Black shows

[streets.]

Well 2.2% of the UK's population is black.Let us consider this. White actors in the UK outnumber Black actors CONSIDERABLY. Therefore, dramas that are set in the UK are going to consist of mainly a white cast. The only way you're going to get a majority black cast is if you set this drama in geographical locations that are predominately black. Thats why the majority black casts appear in dramas and movies like Kidulthood (dont even think the cast is majority black actually) etc. which projects a negative view of British black dramas.The arguement for this is that most British TV sitcoms/whatever take place in the city, where ethnic minorities are in their greatest numbers. Therefore, shows like Eastenders are FORCED into incoporating non-white roles. However, the cast is predominately white and does not represent the east end of London at all.

Agreed, however

If I was writing a drama for British TV, I wouldn't cast a black person in the main role. It's way too risky.

Thats a very silly point of view although sadly that means you would fit right into the TV industry. Those words "too risky" get said in production meetings every day when deciding wether to cast a black actor in the lead role.Hustle and Spooks have shown that having a black person playing a "normal" main role does nothing to affect viewer ratings. Please show me one example to back up your point about it being "too risky"?

Too risky simply because it hasnt been done AS MUCH before.Im not saying black actors cannot be lead roles. Im just saying I understand why most film directors keep their lead role as white. The reason its risky is because it hasnt been done AS MUCH.So, upon reflection, it could work out all fine. However, because you dont see as many black actors in lead roles, its risky. Some risks work out though.

Thats fair enough.

[Michel Kane]

Question I'd pose to these producers NOW though, don't you think we're at a stage now in the UK, to have more ethnic leads?It's 2009 FFS.

[carpedeum]

More Black writers need to come up with quality material & bring that sh*t out themselves in the Noel Clarke manner.At the end of the day, why don't hear about ANY quality writers.Again, the best Black writers & actors are involved in theatre & it SEEMS like they're not too concerned with Film/TV which is a shame.From an actor's perspective, I definitely agree with Street's POV. I think it's important that Black/Ethnic actors aren't quick to go for 'Black/ethnic' roles. Making yourself available for roles which are generic & to take it a step further, available for roles which are regarded for White acotrs, would help.

you dont hear about them because their work doesn't get commissioned or it gets so filtered down they get frustrated and leave the project. i happened to have a discussion with angie lemar and someone else (cant remember name) who has a production company. they said there are writers and actors, but they dont get their work commissioned, unless when it's something like dot shoot the messenger or about gun crime/gangs. there are more people involved in theatre bcos they get a few more roles in theatre so the numbers in theatre reflect the demand. she said they usually abandon tv cos the door is shut. who's that guy from bbc london who does drive time? he has said the exact same thing. ive also heard thandie newton say the same, and she slated ITV in particular.

[Numero001]

More Black writers need to come up with quality material & bring that sh*t out themselves in the Noel Clarke manner.At the end of the day, why don't hear about ANY quality writers.Again, the best Black writers & actors are involved in theatre & it SEEMS like they're not too concerned with Film/TV which is a shame.From an actor's perspective, I definitely agree with Street's POV. I think it's important that Black/Ethnic actors aren't quick to go for 'Black/ethnic' roles. Making yourself available for roles which are generic & to take it a step further, available for roles which are regarded for White acotrs, would help.

you dont hear about them because their work doesn't get commissioned or it gets so filtered down they get frustrated and leave the project. i happened to have a discussion with angie lemar and someone else (cant remember name) who has a production company. they said there are writers and actors, but they dont get their work commissioned, unless when it's something like dot shoot the messenger or about gun crime/gangs. there are more people involved in theatre bcos they get a few more roles in theatre so the numbers in theatre reflect the demand. she said they usually abandon tv cos the door is shut. who's that guy from bbc london who does drive time? he has said the exact same thing. ive also heard thandie newton say the same, and she slated ITV in particular.

Good posting. And look how successful these things are in theatre. Brothers all got to MTV so its like they have to prove their worth. Next thing thats meant to be popular are them stupid Jamaican comedies like Bashment Granny (and they say we're homophobes), Tek Weh Yuself etc. Swear they all had one at Hammersmith Apollo and sh*t.Noel Clarke broke through because he did the stereotype. Good on him, but I wouldnt really hold in such high regards for breaking down doors as he did it the easy way.

[Captain Planet]

I don't watch TV just so I can see black people, I watch it to be entertained.sh*t thread tbh.

/Your Discotheque

[Trilliam]

I don't watch TV just so I can see black people, I watch it to be entertained.sh*t thread tbh.

[Guillermo Rigondeaux]

Some foolishness.The real question should be why aren't there more realistic representations of ethnic groups within mainstream programmes. For example in the U.S you have "normal" lead roles being played by black men. So the storyline could be about an FBI agent fighting a terrorist and you have a black man playing the lead role even though theres nothing specifically "black" about the character.In the UK black men only get the lead roles when it's a specific story (e.g. A Yardie story in the Bill, a race war story in eastenders). It's the same in the film industry, where you have people like Will Smith playing an alien fighting hero in 1996 yet in 2009 us Brits still get Kidulthood/Rolling With The 9s/Bullet Boy to get our fix of blacks in lead roles.The closest we've had so far in the UK is Hustle and Spooks, which both had main black actors in "generic" roles. Both prgrammes should be applauded but there is still a long way to go. We must remember that ethnics only make up about 10% of the population (it's easy to forget when you live in a major city) so we can't expect the main 5 channels to have bare "black" programmes, there should just be a fair 10-15% representation across the board on all programming. The theatre industry set a good example when they casted Lenny Henry as the lead actor in Othello.This really does come down to the people in power. Like I said before, in the U.S there is a black middle class, so within major companies (e.g. - HBO/BET) you have black people in powerful positions as the norm. In the UK there is a definate under-representation within the industry so that will naturally show in their programming.

i had u down as a gasser but u make a good point hereexcept for the fact that othello was black (A moor)