BBC commits to “authentically reflect” communities, classes and cultures after review calls out “tokenism” and “preachy” content

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The BBC, committed to representing the UK’s diverse population in its programming, has announced it will be improving how it reflects different audiences and communities.

The BBC has responded following a review conducted by its board. The review found concerns about how diversity is handled in some BBC programs, suggesting they sometimes rely on superficial representation or come across as overly didactic when trying to include diverse characters and stories.

A recent review, led by former BAFTA Chair Anne Morrison and media consultant Chris Banatvala, examined how well the BBC reflects the lives and experiences of various communities and groups throughout the UK.

The review gathered opinions from 100 people connected to the BBC – including those who create programs, make decisions about them, and offer expert commentary. While views varied, key concerns centered around the use of color-blind casting and whether it sometimes felt like a superficial attempt at diversity (tokenism).

Referring to the 2023 series Murder Is Easy, one viewer commented that when a show feels awkward or forced, it’s often because the creative choices aren’t working, and attempts at diversity feel added on instead of naturally fitting the story.

Viewers are quick to lose interest if a show deviates from what they anticipate, especially when they’ve chosen it for a specific reason. For example, someone tuning in to a classic Agatha Christie murder mystery during the holidays likely doesn’t want to suddenly find the story shifting to themes of anti-colonialism alongside the traditional country-house setting.

They warned that without careful handling, the work could come across as preachy or like a lecture, forcing a message onto the audience. They emphasized that genuine authenticity is key to engaging viewers.

The BBC aired a new adaptation of an Agatha Christie story over the holidays. The series, starring David Jonsson, took some liberties with the original book. Notably, the screenwriter, Siân Ejiwunmi-Le Berre, reimagined the main character, Fitzwilliam, as a Black man who recently moved to London from Nigeria.

Viewers again raised concerns about casting choices in ‘Murder Is Easy,’ specifically regarding color-blind casting. The review also mentioned similar feedback about the 2023 adaptation of ‘Great Expectations,’ featuring Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella. Some felt the TV versions should have stuck closer to the original characters, though the review points out that adapting a story inherently involves making changes.

Doctor Who also faced criticism for casting Nathaniel Curtis, a mixed-race actor, as Sir Isaac Newton, though the role was small. Some viewers argued that portraying a historical figure of color with a white actor would be considered offensive, implying a double standard. However, the report points out that we shouldn’t compare this to outdated and problematic practices like Sir Lawrence Olivier using blackface in his 1965 performance as Othello.

As a long-time Doctor Who fan, I really appreciated how this review acknowledged that everyone has their own take on things. But it also made a fantastic point about the show itself: if we’re already willing to accept a time-traveling alien who can become completely different people, a reimagined historical figure like a mixed-race Isaac Newton doesn’t seem that far-fetched at all! It’s a clever way to put things into perspective.

Participants in the review had different opinions on representation. Some felt more diversity was needed, while others believed there was already sufficient representation of minority groups.

The review highlighted two main issues. First, some participants seemed to be attending simply to fulfill a requirement, not because they were genuinely qualified. Second, there was worry that a participant from a minority group felt excluded and unsupported, which could unfortunately reinforce harmful stereotypes.

When it comes to shows that offer strong representation, Michaela Coel’s I May Destroy You and Man Like Mobeen – created by, written by, and starring Guz Khan – are particularly noteworthy.

The 79-page report generally points out ways the BBC can improve as a public service broadcaster. This includes better ways to track diversity and a stronger commitment to showcasing a wider range of UK locations and people’s backgrounds in its programs.

Following the review, the BBC has committed to several improvements. These include significantly increasing funding for high-quality content created across the UK nations, and moving more decision-making roles and staff out of London – a plan originally scheduled for December 2025.

The organization will regularly examine its future programming to make sure it accurately represents diverse communities. This will involve using data to ensure that people from various social backgrounds, age groups, and locations are included, both on-screen and behind the scenes. They’ll focus on this when developing and planning for future presenters, including building a stronger system for identifying and nurturing new talent over the next year.

It’s also crucial to have a strong grasp of the UK’s evolving population and communities. The BBC plans to regularly share census data and other detailed information to help its staff, independent production companies, and partners accurately portray British society.

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Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a BA degree in English Literature.

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2026-01-30 16:05