Thread by @BritBlacklist

The problem with UK TV thus far is that it ignores the Black Audience.
It pays no attention to the likes, dislikes, interests, traditions, the culture of British Black people.
So when they create Black characters they miss the nuances the Black Audience looks for ...

So when someone says #Luther isn't black enough it's tongue in cheek to say rice & peas etc. It's more nuanced. In what world does a black detective like Luther have no consult with anyone black? It's a lie! You don't have to change the whole script... it's about NUANCE!!!

He's from London and is a geezer. He's not portrayed as a man disconnected from his roots. He's not portrayed as a privileged black man who's only grown up around white people ... this is the problem. There's a chasm of disconnect...

This is not a criticism of Idris or the cast. Everyone in Luther does a phenomenal job. But when the writer says 'who am I to write about a black man' then
CONSULT (& PAY) BLACK CONTRIBUTORS.
EMPLOY BLACK WRITERS.
EMPLOY BLACK SCRIPT EDITORS
to authenticate. That's all.

UK Black audiences are treated as an after / non-thought. Especially those who are 30+ 40+ 50+ who are in, secure jobs, who are upper working / middle class. Those who have the money. Pay mortgages. Pay their taxes. Which shows on UK TV consider them? ...

Colourblind casting only works ... if after the casting of a non-white actor a scan through the script takes place to ensure that you don't have the non-white actor doing things that don't match the visuals. This isn't about stereotyping. It's about authenticity.

We don't want a walking parody or stereotype of a black man. But what if there was some extra authentication? What else would that have brought to the series?
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