“It’s great having those big landmark shows with those key characters, but it’s about making sure everything around them, their environment, their culture, the set is absolutely reflective,” she added, speaking Monday about the BBC’s diversity and inclusion strategy at the digital MIPTV conference. “It will be very much about how can we make sure that this program is authentic in terms of the storytelling.”
Wayland is head of the BBC’s creative diversity unit, set up in 2019.
“The BBC is committed to its continued investment in diversity and recent BBC One dramas I May Destroy You and Small Axe are testament to that,” the spokesperson said.
In June last year, the broadcaster said it would put aside £112 million ($154 million) over three years to support diverse production. It has also committed to one-fifth of its off-screen production staff being from diverse backgrounds for future television commissions.
In December, the BBC outlined a new range of diversity initiatives, including a disability content panel and further investment in diverse talent.
CNN has reached out to representatives of Idris Elba and “Luther” writer Neil Cross for comment.
For some, the reference to Elba as “too street” was code for “too black.” Horowitz subsequently apologized for his choice of word.