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UK television ahead of US on diversity, says ex-Hollyoaks star Ricky Whittle UK television ahead of US on diversity, says ex-Hollyoaks star Ricky Whittle
(about 3 hours later)
Actor Ricky Whittle has said he believes UK television is ahead of the US in terms of diversity. The British actor Ricky Whittle has said he believes UK television is ahead of the US in terms of diversity.
The British actor – a former star of Hollyoaks and contestant on Strictly Come Dancing – who is starring in hit new US drama The 100 said he felt typecast by the roles he is being offered across the Atlantic. Whittle – a former star of Hollyoaks and contestant on Strictly Come Dancing – who is starring in hit new US drama The 100 said he felt typecast by the roles he was being offered across the Atlantic.
Asked if he had been offered better roles since moving to Los Angeles, the 32-year-old Manchester-born actor said: "No, not at all. I'd say the UK definitely has more diversity."Asked if he had been offered better roles since moving to Los Angeles, the 32-year-old Manchester-born actor said: "No, not at all. I'd say the UK definitely has more diversity."
His comments came in the wake of claims that the reverse is true, with some British black actors saying they were finding more opportunities in the US than at home. His comments come in the wake of claims that the reverse is true, with some British black actors saying they have found more opportunities in the US than at home.
Sophie Okonedo, one of Britain's most accomplished and acclaimed actors, told the Guardian earlier this week that most of her job offers come from the US Sophie Okonedo, one of Britain's most accomplished and acclaimed actors, told the Guardian this week that most of her job offers came from the US.
David Harewood has said in the past how he has struggled to find roles at home despite drawing acclaim and an enhanced public profile for his appearances in US drama Homeland. David Harewood has said in the past how he has struggled to find roles at home despite drawing acclaim and an enhanced public profile for his appearances in the US drama Homeland.
And last month, Lenny Henry told a select committee of MPs that Britain had been "haemorrhaging" talent to the US because of the mistaken belief over here that ethnic minority actors do not have enough star power. And last month, Lenny Henry told a select committee of MPs that Britain had been "haemorrhaging" talent to the US because of the mistaken belief over here that minority ethnic actors did not have enough star power.
Whittle said although he was finding work in the US there were only a restricted number of parts he could take unless he hid his accent.Whittle said although he was finding work in the US there were only a restricted number of parts he could take unless he hid his accent.
He said: "I actually spoke to one of the heads of a studio and he said I confuse middle America. Basically, when they see a black person, they see athlete, they see rapper or they see criminal or something like that. And then when they hear a British accent they hear posh, so they hear lawyer or doctor.He said: "I actually spoke to one of the heads of a studio and he said I confuse middle America. Basically, when they see a black person, they see athlete, they see rapper or they see criminal or something like that. And then when they hear a British accent they hear posh, so they hear lawyer or doctor.
"So when they see me and hear me, it's confusing, so you kind of have to fall into a typecast.Idris Elba had to do it when he was here. He was in The Wire playing a gangster. And then once he established himself he was able to start playing himself."So when they see me and hear me, it's confusing, so you kind of have to fall into a typecast.Idris Elba had to do it when he was here. He was in The Wire playing a gangster. And then once he established himself he was able to start playing himself.
So you really do have to fall into a stereotype out here, so I definitely give props to the UK."So you really do have to fall into a stereotype out here, so I definitely give props to the UK."
Whittle added: "Every role has been American. Which confuses me because they've got so many talented black and mixed race actors, and then they've got talented British white actors. Surely my niche was the fact I was black and British? Like an Idris Elba but younger." Whittle added: "Every role has been American. Which confuses me because they've got so many talented black and mixed-race actors, and then they've got talented British white actors. Surely my niche was the fact I was black and British? Like an Idris Elba but younger."
Whittle played a footballer for 10 series in Sky drama Dream Team and policeman Calvin Valentine in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for six years before he left in 2011.Whittle played a footballer for 10 series in Sky drama Dream Team and policeman Calvin Valentine in Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks for six years before he left in 2011.
However, he said that even in the UK there was room for improvement, "Even in Hollyoaks we were known as 'the black family' as opposed to just 'the new family'. But that's where we are in the world I guess. It's getting better, everything's heading in the right direction, whether it be race, sex, gender," he said. However, he said that even in the UK there was room for improvement. "Even in Hollyoaks we were known as 'the black family' as opposed to just 'the new family'. But that's where we are in the world I guess. It's getting better, everything's heading in the right direction, whether it be race, sex, gender," he said.
"I think in general America is not quite as advanced as the UK but they're both heading in the right direction, but we will get there. First black Bond – that's my aim! That's the one!""I think in general America is not quite as advanced as the UK but they're both heading in the right direction, but we will get there. First black Bond – that's my aim! That's the one!"
Since moving to Los Angeles, Whittle has had a few supporting film and TV roles before landing lead roles in the US remake of BBC drama Mistresses, and now post-apocalyptic drama The 100, which begins on E4 in the UK on Monday.Since moving to Los Angeles, Whittle has had a few supporting film and TV roles before landing lead roles in the US remake of BBC drama Mistresses, and now post-apocalyptic drama The 100, which begins on E4 in the UK on Monday.
He said of the series: "We try and give as much diversity to our show as possible. That's something that's very strong in our show, there are so many strong female leads in The 100. My character, being black, is a strong lead character. Isaiah Washington is playing the head of the whole space station. Christopher Larkin is Asian.He said of the series: "We try and give as much diversity to our show as possible. That's something that's very strong in our show, there are so many strong female leads in The 100. My character, being black, is a strong lead character. Isaiah Washington is playing the head of the whole space station. Christopher Larkin is Asian.
"But it's just an honour to be involved in a show that's pushing all the boundaries in every way. When it comes to race or sex this show is allowing everyone to blossom.""But it's just an honour to be involved in a show that's pushing all the boundaries in every way. When it comes to race or sex this show is allowing everyone to blossom."