Idris Elba is not only one of the most well-known actors today, but one of the most talented. Among his library of successes is the BBC show Luther. The series began in 2010 and concluded in 2019. It featured Elba as a Detective Chief Inspector named John Luther. The series was applauded for its story, writing, and Elba’s performance. Elba won a Golden Globe for his role in the show.
However, BBC’s diversity chief Miranda Wayland is criticizing the show for not accurately portraying John Luther. Wayland, who was appointed as the Head of Creative Diversity last February; commented on Luther:
“When [Luther] first came out everybody loved the fact that Idris Elba was in there — a really strong, black character lead. We all fell in love with him. Who didn’t, right? But after you got into about the second series you got kind of like, OK, he doesn’t have any black friends, he doesn’t eat any Caribbean food, this doesn’t feel authentic.”
Luther’s creator and writer Neil Cross expressed [in response]:
“I have no knowledge or expertise or right to try to tackle in some way the experience of being a black man in modern Britain. It would have been an act of tremendous arrogance for me to try to write a black character. We would have ended up with a slightly embarrassed, ignorant, middle-class, white writer’s idea of a black character.”
Cross also insists that Elba took the role due to race not being a focal point of the story. Wayland’s comments are garnering attention and a discussion on accurately representing diversity on screen. What do you think about Ms. Wayland’s comments? Did you enjoy Luther?
For the full story, go to the Daily Mail UK.
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