BBC is told to stop box-ticking casting that 'shoe-horns' ethnic minority actors into period dramas – and to improve coverage of the working class and women over 60

UK Daily Mail ^ | January 29, 2026 | Katherine Lawton

[C19fan]

The BBC must stop box-ticking casting that 'shoe-horns' ethnic minority actors into period dramas, a review has urged.

In a damning independent report into the corporation's content, the BBC was also told it needs to improve coverage of the working class and women over 60 if it is to keep engaging audiences.

The broadcaster has been conducting 'preachy' diversity casting in a string of its dramas, resulting in ethnic minorities ending up in inappropriate settings, the review found.

[C19fan]

I enjoy period dramas but I have not watched any recent productions as they are plagued by race swapping and being made for the mythical "modern audience".

[Leaning Right]

My fearless prediction: The BBC will pay some lip service to this report, and make a few minor adjustments.

But then they will go back to their old, woke methods. After all, that’s the way “progressives” operate. Those smug and arrogant folks just won’t be able to help themselves.

[FLT-bird]

Its hilarious when they just insist on putting Black actors in shows/documentaries about the battle of Hastings or in the Court of King Henry VIII. Could you possibly beclown yourselves any further?

I even saw one version of the Iliad in which they cast Achilles as Black....y'know because there were so many Black Greeks 3300 years ago....Its impossible to take anything like that seriously. It would be like placing a 6'4' Blonde Haired Blue Eyed Swede in a period piece about 16th century Japan.

No. Just No.

[GaryCrow]

I remember a movie from a few years back with Margot Robbie playing Queen Elizabeth I. Her ladies in waiting were asian and black. I’m not the most historically literate but I’m pretty sure QE1’s court was not comprised of Chinese and sub-saharan courtiers. It ruined the whole movie, there was no way you could feel you were watching an accurate depiction of historical events with such silliness on display. The movie flopped, largely for that reason I’d argue. I’m sure the producers high fived themselves over their diversity stance but to most normal people it’s just ridiculous and makes us lose interest quickly.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Saw a BBC show about a young King Arthur, set in the far dark ages. The show's title
was Merlin. "Welsh" Queen Guinevere was cast with a Negress. Preposterous. Ludicrous.

I guess the BBC thought that's why it was called the dark ages.

[Tax-chick]

... the BBC was also told it needs to improve coverage of the working class and women over 60 if it is to keep engaging audiences.

I suppose that, with good writing, "the working class and women over 60" can be as entertaining as any other topic.

[ClearCase_guy]

the BBC was also told it needs to improve coverage of the working class and women over 60

So ... stop steering entertainment toward black and other ethnic groups, but start steering entertainment toward working class and older women.

Controlling people need to control.

[quantim]

Said another way it would appear that the BBC is the British version of Disney, don’t know though as many of us would rather watch grass grow.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Broadway did the same with it's bastardization of Tolstoy's War and Peace. They retold the story
of Natasha and Pierre. Set in Russia in 1812, they cast Natasha as Negress. Totally nuts.

Then again this is the same Broadway which cast the founding fathers in Hamilton with Negroes.

Where is the rich African culture we are always told about? Are there no authentic African tales
worth telling?

Ironically, one of the most endearing African tales, is the African "trickster" fable of Br'er Rabbit.
Yet that tale has been totally suppressed and buried by Disney.

[central_va]

A fun spoof would be a remake of “Roots” with the races switched: white slaves and black owners.

[Kudsman]

Where is the rich African culture we are always told about? Are there no authentic African tales worth telling?

You want a Zulu Dawn remake?

[central_va]

How about a bio about MLK using a white actor to play MLK?

[KobraKai]

Mary Queen of Scots a particularly vile and egregious offender.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

:: working class and older women ::

Middle class working women in the sunset of the boomer era?

Sounds AWFL

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Yes! Great idea—a freckled ginger MLK Jr with braces.

[OldHarbor]

Tubi has a bunch of older BBC mini dramas available . Nary a negro in any of them.

[albie]

“box-ticking casting that ‘shoe-horns”

WTH does that mean?

[albie]

I guess they crossed the line with the 300 pound, bald black woman who portrayed George Washington.

[No name given]

Agreed.

[maddog55]

So the BBC is their NETFLIX.