Hackney-born star warns MPs about the lack of diversity
Idris Elba addresses MPs in parliament about the lack of diversity in British television - Credit: Archant
Hackney-born star Idris Elba addressed 100 MPs in parliament yesterday to warn them over the lack of diversity in British television – both in front and behind the camera.
In his speech, the 43-year-old star of BBC’s Luther, said the lack of opportunities for black actors was leading them to be “thrown on the scrapheap”.
This lack of opportunity led Mr Elba to the USA, where he was cast in the hit crime series The Wire.
MPs heard the actor say how the American Dream was the “most famous diversity policy of all”.
Speaking at parliament, Mr Elba said: “People in the TV world often aren’t the same as people in the real world. And there’s an even bigger gap between people who make TV, and people who watch TV.
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“I should know, I live in the TV world. And although there’s a lot of reality TV, TV hasn’t caught up with reality.
“Change is coming, but it’s taking its sweet time.”
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