Yesterday, Actor Idris Elba was invited to Parliament to address the lack of diversity on British Television and he did a brilliant job through his thought provoking and powerful 30 minute speech.
Surrounded by up to 100 MP’s in the room, Idris boldly stated: “The Britain I come from is the most successful, diverse, multicultural country on the earth […] But here’s my point: you wouldn’t know it if you turned on the TV.”
Idris reminisced: “because I never saw myself or my culture on TV, I stopped watching TV. Instead I decided to just go out and become TV”
He continued: “So many of our creative decision-makers share the same background – and they decide what stories get told.” – Very true!!
Idris not only urged better representation of different races, but of women and disabled people. He said: “talent is everywhere, opportunity isn’t” which Viola Davis similarly mentioned in her Emmy speech.
The acting star explained that he had to travel to the US to be offered lead roles which weren’t available in the UK. It was only after he landed a lead part in The Wire, which helped Idris get his star role in BBC1’s Luther.
Idris quoted Nelson Mandela: “anything difficult always seems impossible until it’s done.”
Watch the full speech above:
