Collection 4: Black Representation on British Television

Further resources from BFI Screenonline

• Big George Is Dead

  Returning to England from Trinidad and Tobago for one night only, a former trickster finds that old friends and communities have moved on.

• Black Christmas

  As Christmas approaches, Gertrude gathers her family around her. But the perfect Christmas Day that she dreams of seems destined to turn to disaster.

• Desmond's

  The varied lives of Peckham barber shop proprietor Desmond Ambrose, his wife Sheila, three children and assorted locals and regulars.

• Norman Beaton

  A highly expressive performer, Norman Beaton became particularly associated with his role as the eponymous barber of Desmond’s.

• Fable

  In a black-run, totalitarian Britain, a white couple are separated from their children and each other following new legislation.

• The Fosters

  The Fosters was the first British sitcom on television to feature an all black cast, among them a young, up-and-coming Lenny Henry.

• Till Death Us Do Part

  The BBC series which aimed to take narrow-minded, racist views and hold them up to ridicule.

• The British Sense of Humour - a tour

  What makes Britain laugh?

• Channel 4 Drama

  Over 30 years of diverse and challenging drama.

• Race and the Sitcom

  How the sitcom has tackled one of society’s must difficult subjects.

• Sitcom

  Over the last 40 or so years sitcoms have helped British society engage with itself.