BBC in race row after white actor is cast in role first written as black

The BBC was attacked today for casting a white actor in a role originally written as black for a new thriller.

Danny Lee Wynter, who set up diversity campaign Act for Change, said black actors were “confused and understandably angry” when Edward Holcroft was chosen for London Spy after many of them had auditioned.

He said the part was originally advertised for “an immensely talented non-Caucasian actor” and auditions had taken place over the past six months for what was described as “a pivotal role in this brilliant original drama series”. He claims some black actors had been “in serious talks”.

Mr Wynter, 32, said: “To change the race of a character seems a cavalier decision to make, especially so very late in the casting process.

“It may seem like one small thing from the outside but once again this highlights the subtle, repeated erosion of opportunities available for black British artists in British drama.”

He said the creative team behind the BBC Two drama were “entitled to artistic licence”.

But he added that “people are really starting to ask questions about what they see on TV” and the American experience showed that “if you want diversity on screen you can get it”. He said: “It’s disheartening the producers don’t appreciate the benefits to be had from change and haven’t shown the guts to follow through.”

The BBC backed Tom Rob Smith, the writer of London Spy, while repeating its commitment to increasing diversity. Casting had started before the final scripts were delivered for the five-part series, which also stars Ben Whishaw and is due to be screened next year.

Smith, the bestselling author of Child 44, said: “The character originated without any specific race but as I continued writing a particular story took hold which required a black character. However, during the rewriting of the final episodes the plot changed and he became a white character.”

A BBC spokeswoman said the corporation remained committed to diversity. It has targets to increase the proportion of black and minority ethnic people on screen from 10.4 per cent to 15 per cent in the next three years, which it believes will make “a tangible difference”.

But she added: “The BBC supports the creative freedom of its writers.”