For many aspiring actors, the dream is to move to Hollywood and find that lucky role that will catapult them into stardom. While it’s a very cliché dream, it’s still a relevant one today.
We’ve seen a new era of actors that come from the U.K. becoming almost instant stars. And it can be frustrating for an American actor to work so hard, just for someone from the U.K. to steal their spot. But there’s a reason why so many Black British actors are coming to America.
The U.K. has a history of treating their Black actors poorly, and from 2006-2016, 59% of U.K. films did not feature a Black actor in any named character role. With these foreign actors still being treated poorly by their home country, it makes sense to seek opportunities elsewhere.
The truth is Black British actors aren’t truly “out to take Black Americans roles away.” With that in mind, another truth is clear.
It's time for Black actors from both countries to battle the racism they face both in the U.S. and U.K. With an international alliance, we can change how the international film industry views Black actors, and allow ALL Black actors to thrive.