TV's Greatest: Black on the Box

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Documentary

Summary

The story of how some of the UK's best-loved stars changed the face of television when they became the first black people to take their place on the small screen. Pioneers such as Shirley Bassey, Lenny Henry, Trevor McDonald, Moira Stuart, Craig Charles, Don Warrington, Floella Benjamin and Diane-Louise Jordan all broke new ground in the decades in which they came to prominence, as did trailblazing sitcoms Desmond's and The Fosters and sketch show The Real McCoy. This programme examines the impact they had, both at the time and in subsequent years. Narrated by Angela Griffin

Review

David Brown

It’s the talking heads who make this profile of black TV talent worth your time, particularly Craig Charles, who offers fresh insights into his time aboard Red Dwarf. The antagonism between Lister and Rimmer could, he points out, have easily descended into Love Thy Neighbour-style abuse. But not once was the colour of Lister’s skin ever mentioned.

It was progress, especially when compared to those 70s sitcoms we’d all rather forget. Yet there is still work to be done when it comes to diversity. The likes of Lenny Henry and Floella Benjamin are lauded as on-screen pioneers, but Britain still doesn’t have a black programme controller running any major channel.

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rolenameProducerJason BernardDirectorJason BernardExecutive producerMark WellsExecutive producerThomas Stogdon

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