Recently I’ve noticed the rise of the period drama in the film and television world. Dramas set at the turn of the last century in Europe . The Tudors and more recently The Borgias, Downton Abbey, the film adaptation of Jane Eyre. Don’t get me wrong I love the Borgias and can easily see myself getting addicted to Downton Abbey. However the message that speaks volumes to me about these programs is for once nothing to do with fashion and the beautiful gilded costumes the period brings, but the subliminal message it sends to ethnic minority actors.
A hundred plus years ago there were hardly any ethnic minorities visible in Europe, so with the rise of the period drama and in order to maintain authenticity to the era, it feels as though this is a subliminal way to reduce the number of ethnic minorities on screen.
For a long time ethnic minority actors, directors, producers and writers have worked hard to bring diversity to the film and television industry. Although a role may have been devised with a specific person in mind, it should be colourless in the sense that any actor as long as they are good should be able to fit into the role and play that character – isn’t that what good acting is?
I might be being paranoid but I think it was Kurt Cobain who was said “Just because you’re paranoid – it doesn’t mean they aren’t after you.”
