Josette Simon breaks down her trailblazing roles – and explains why we need to stop saying “colourblind casting”

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Josette Simon immediately replied “No” when asked if she remembered seeing anyone like herself on television growing up.

Since then, she’s blossomed into the role model she always wished she had, inspiring a new generation of actresses. However, her journey hasn’t been without its challenges.

While studying at drama school, Simon’s principal bluntly told her she didn’t have the talent to work with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Remarkably, she’s since performed in over 50 RSC plays.

She first became well-known for playing Dayna Mellanby in Blake’s 7, a pioneering science fiction series, and her character was a strong female lead in a genre often lacking them.

She’s played a diverse range of memorable characters, including Chief Superintendent Clark in Broadchurch, Mnemosyne in Wonder Woman, Lydia in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series, Eithné in The Witcher, Angela Regan in Anatomy of a Scandal, and Talitha in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. This is just a small selection of her many roles.

Simon remembers growing up, both in school and during his drama training, and then throughout his career, he never saw anyone who shared his background that he could admire or emulate.

I often had to figure things out on my own, acting as my own guide. I faced a lot of challenges and negativity, with many people telling me what I couldn’t achieve.

However, she definitely had role models. In an interview with TopMob for International Women’s Day, Simon shared a list of inspiring women, including Judi Dench, Glenda Jackson, and Helen Mirren. Simon fondly remembers how Mirren mentored her when they both appeared in a 1982 production of Antony and Cleopatra with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Despite being warned by her drama school head that it might not work out, Simon has become closely associated with the Royal Shakespeare Company, which she never expected.

Growing up in Leicester, my parents were part of the Windrush generation, and I never imagined I’d be giving a speech about Shakespeare,” she says.

Shakespeare is widely considered the greatest writer of all time because of his incredible ability to portray the full range of human experience, for both men and women. Despite living in Elizabethan England, he understood and wrote about every aspect of being human – the emotions, sensitivities, and even the smallest details – with remarkable depth.

Simon made history by becoming the first Black actress to play leading roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She began with Rosaline in Love’s Labour’s Lost in 1984, and went on to perform iconic characters like Isabella in Measure for Measure, Titania and Hippolyta in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra.

But how do you begin to approach a role that so many have taken on before you?

Simon recalls having to quickly understand the weight of expectation, especially when joining the Royal Shakespeare Company. He says that as soon as you land a major role, people immediately start comparing your performance to legends like Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, and Maggie Smith, praising their brilliance.

When I started taking on lead roles, I faced a lot of extra pressure. Not only was I new to those roles, but I also felt like I was being watched as a Black actress attempting Shakespeare – something people didn’t think actors of color could successfully do. It was incredibly stressful, because a bad performance could have reinforced that harmful idea.

I’ve learned to approach things in two ways: first, I try not to pay attention to what’s been done before, and second, I act as if I’m experiencing everything for the very first time – as if no one has ever seen or known about it before.

Simon’s work with the Royal Shakespeare Company included some of the first instances of casting actors without considering their race. However, the term ‘colourblind casting‘ itself is something she finds troubling.

“I absolutely hate the term ‘colourblind casting’,” she says.

I dislike being labeled a ‘Black actor.’ I’m simply an actor – we all are – and we happen to be Black, which I’m very proud of. The problem with the term ‘Black actor’ is that it focuses more on race than on the profession itself. I prefer to say ‘actors who are Black’ to emphasize that we are actors first.

We generally just refer to actors as ‘actors,’ without specifying their race. But when we say ‘Black actor,’ we’re unintentionally creating a distinction and reinforcing the idea of ‘otherness.’ It subtly categorizes them and limits how they’re seen.

Simon understands the term was originally intended to encourage more diverse casting. However, she clarifies: “We’re not ignoring anyone’s race. I recognize I’m Black, and you’re white, but ultimately, we’re all just human beings.”

Throughout my career, I’ve always strived to portray characters who are simply human – grappling with the complexities of life, relationships, love, loss, and all the challenges everyone faces – rather than being defined by their race.

Through her work, Simone has not only landed amazing opportunities, but she’s also become a role model for others, filling a void she experienced growing up.

Last year, when TopMob interviewed Noma Dumezweni, the Murderbot actress shared that seeing Josette Simon in Blake’s 7 was the first time she imagined a future for herself as an actor.

I’m a Black woman with short hair, and I’m here today because of a character in the science fiction show Blake’s 7. That show imagined different worlds, and seeing that character helped me believe in my own potential.

Simon landed the role of Dayna on Blake’s 7 while still a student at drama school, appearing in seasons three and four. She fondly remembers the experience, saying she truly loved both the character and being part of the show.

I’m really thankful that it kickstarted my television career and gave me a valuable education in TV at a young age. Plus, I worked with a wonderful group of people who were both fun and inspiring.

She describes Dayna as a fantastic weapons expert and a compelling character, but emphasizes she was simply a person, not defined by her race. Viewers have told her it was groundbreaking to see a Black character portrayed simply as an individual, without being limited by stereotypes or expectations.

Sally Knyvette, the actress who played Jenna Stannis in the first two seasons of Blake’s 7, has spoken out about the way female characters were portrayed in the series. However, Simon offers a contrasting opinion.

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I haven’t analyzed it in detail like you probably will, but this character was a skilled fighter and weapons expert – really impressive! She was athletic, always in the middle of action, and could definitely hold her own. She wasn’t at all like a typical, helpless female character; she was strong and stood her ground.

Peter Hoar is now confirmed to be developing a new version of Blake’s 7. When Simon heard the news, she found it amusing.

Everyone kept telling me about it! I think it’s fantastic, and I’m really curious to see what happens. They’re going to have a lot more money to work with than we did.

She playfully imagines how it might be made, suggesting a low-budget approach with a wobbly set and props held together with sticky tack.

I have to admit something that might surprise people,” she continued. “I’m actually not a fan of science fiction. I took on that role because it was a fantastic opportunity for me, but it wasn’t because I have a passion for the genre.

What really matters to me is a compelling character and a strong story – that’s the most important thing. It’s not about the genre; people often ask me why I don’t do more science fiction, but that’s just not my main focus.

So, if not more sci-fi, what is next?

I’m driven by work that’s demanding, interesting, and exceptionally well-crafted. The quality of the work itself is more important to me than the specific job title.

Looking ahead, Simon is optimistic about the future of women in media, emphasizing that women behind the scenes are now leading the way in shaping how women are depicted on screen.

She notes that we’ve made significant progress in portraying women as central characters, rather than simply as supporting figures in men’s stories.

It’s notable that many of these projects are led by women who own and run their own production companies, which is key to getting them made and seen by a wider audience. Without their leadership, these stories wouldn’t get as much attention.

Authors

Louise GriffinSci-Fi and Fantasy Editor

Louise Griffin edits the Sci-Fi & Fantasy section at TopMob, where she writes about popular franchises like Doctor Who, Star Wars, Marvel, House of the Dragon, and Good Omens. Before joining TopMob, she was a Senior Entertainment Reporter at Metro and holds a degree in English Literature.

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2026-03-08 12:08