Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Creative BAME talent must have ‘an equal playing field’

by LAUREN CODLING

CREATIVE people from BAME communities have urged the UK entertainment industry to do more to tackle racism and the lack of diversity and representation in TV and film in an open letter published last Sunday (21).


Signed by a number of prominent filmmakers, producers and writers, the letter called for “active engagement to tackle structural and systemic racism in (the TV and film) industry.” It noted that while messages condemning racism on social media may “inspire hope”, the UK industry “must put its money and practices where its mouth is”.

As Eastern Eye went to press on Tuesday (23), the letter had garnered more than 4,300 signatories, including a number of ethnic minority stars in the UK film and TV industry, such as Meera Syal, Michaela Cole, Gurinder Chadha, Asif Kapadia, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Himesh Patel.

Playwright Tanika Gupta and theatre director Pooja Ghai were both involved in creating the open letter, alongside film producer Nisha Parti and TV stars Syal, Indira Varma and Anita Rani.

Speaking to Eastern Eye on Tuesday, Gupta and Ghai both admitted that their motivation came from wanting to see equality in the industry.

“(The letter) is about us being able to have our lived experiences as creatives, and have them be on stage, TV and film in equal measures,” Ghai said.

Gupta echoed her sentiments, telling Eastern Eye: “We basically want equality in terms of work, and getting it out there for everybody.”

The letter has called on broadcasters and film studios to banish “weak excuses”, such as referring to ethnic minority stories as “too small” or “too risky”. It has also urged the empowerment of BAME independent producers and to “think outside the box” for new talent.

As well as representation on-camera, Gupta emphasised that there needed to be a focus on diversity behind the scenes.

“Too often we have films or TV shows that are made from a minority perspective, and yet there is not a single person of colour on the team, in terms of producing or working behind the camera,” she noted.

Ghai also believed that there needed to be more diversity at decision-making levels. “We need our teams to be fully representative, we need our voices to be part of the universal voice of this nation, this country and this industry,” she said.

Both Ghai and Gupta have worked in the industry for more than 25 years. They have regularly voiced support for wider diversity and representation in the industry.

Gupta said she has consistently seen the “same (BAME) faces” in the industry. Calling for more inclusivity and equal opportunity, Ghai said it was important to acknowledge there is a “huge talent pool out there”.

“We have to be given as many chances to be as successful as we do to fail,” she said. “It can’t be a one-shot game, because we need to develop our talent and give our talent the space to grow.

“All voices need an equal playing field.”

More For You

The meeting between Trump and William took place at the UK ambassador's residence in Paris after the event. (Photo: Getty Images)
The meeting between Trump and William took place at the UK ambassador's residence in Paris after the event. (Photo: Getty Images)

Trump meets Prince William at Notre Dame reopening

US president-elect Donald Trump met Prince William on Saturday during the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The event marked the restoration of the historic landmark following a major fire in 2019.

Keep ReadingShow less
Princess of Wales hosts emotional Christmas service
Kate attends the "Together At Christmas" Carol Service" at Westminster Abbey in London on December 6, 2024. (Photo by ISABEL INFANTES/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Princess of Wales hosts emotional Christmas service

PRINCESS OF WALES, Kate Middleton, hosted a Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on Friday (6) that reflected on "the most difficult times" as she returns to public life after her cancer diagnosis.

The London carol service intended to "reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives", according to Kensington Palace office.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rotherham sexual assault convict to be released from prison: report
Banaras Hussain

Rotherham sexual assault convict to be released from prison: report

A MAN convicted of violent sexual offences in Rotherham is set to be released from prison on licence after serving nine years of a 19-year sentence.

The crimes of Banaras Hussain, 44, included rape, indecent assault, and actual bodily harm, were part of a prolonged pattern of abuse targeting vulnerable victims, some as young as 11.

Keep ReadingShow less
Birmingham gang convicted for £2.5m Covid fraud

Birmingham gang convicted for £2.5m Covid fraud

TWELVE members of an organised crime group from Birmingham, Walsall, and Yorkshire have been found guilty of defrauding over £2.5 million in Covid support grants through fraudulent claims.

The crime group exploited non-trading businesses and stolen identities to submit multiple Covid support claims, including Bounce Back Loans, HMRC payments, and various grants set up to assist struggling businesses and individuals during the pandemic.

Keep ReadingShow less
Migrant workers key to meet housing target, warn builders
Construction workers work on building residential houses and homes at a Homes by Strata building site, in Leeds, northern England on September 4, 2024. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

Migrant workers key to meet housing target, warn builders

THE UK must urgently address a construction skills shortage, including by increasing migrant worker numbers, to achieve prime minister's target of building 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliamentary term, industry leaders have warned.

The National Federation of Builders, which represents small and medium-sized contractors, highlighted the scale of the challenge, pointing to an ageing workforce and declining numbers of apprentices, the Telegraph reported.

Keep ReadingShow less