Nathaniel Martello-White was so frustrated by the lack of parts for black British actors he decided to do something about it.

He wrote the play Blackta, which is now showing at the Young Vic in London, about his experiences as a black actor.

He hopes it will make people more aware of the lack of opportunities at the same time as creating some for fellow professionals.

Nathaniel told Sky News since he graduated from Rada six years ago there has been a real lack of parts and he believes it is a problem with the industry refusing to take chances.

“Maybe there’s an opinion in the film industry and TV industry that if you have a black protagonist in a major TV show or a movie that you’re not going to get the bums on seats as if you had a young white actor in the same role,” he said.

“I think there’s issues there. We live in a very multicultural society, so I think people are ready for that type of diversity on screen.”
Blackta stars Daniel Francis and Howard Charles (Pic Simon Annand) Daniel Francis plays Black and Howard Charles is Yellow (Pic Simon Annand)

A number of black actors have recently spoken out about the problem, saying they’ve been forced to move to America to further their careers.

David Harewood won a starring role in the American series Homeland after moving over, believing there were more roles for ethnic minorities in the States after he failed to find regular screen work here in Britain.

Other high-profile actors have done the same. Idris Elba, who starred in The Wire, previously admitted he had to leave Britain to be taken seriously.

The main characters in Blackta have names based on their complexions and they examine how someone’s life chances are influenced by their colour.

Anthony Welsh plays the character Brown, Javone Prince is Dull Brown, Daniel Francis is Black and Howard Charles plays Yellow.

source

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