As a new exhibition and panel talk from the Museum of Colour celebrate people of colour in TV, the latest Diamond report demonstrates there is more work to do.
The Creative Diversity Network’s latest Diamond report into diversity and inclusion across the UK TV industry has yet again reflected what our members tell us. Analysing data from 2025, the report highlights that the representation of Black creatives off-screen has stalled, and the proportion of women directors has stagnated in the last five years.
“Opportunities have for stalled for underrepresented directors, with no evidence of a wholesale plan to address the structural issues that prevent them from securing directing work,” says Directors UK CEO, Andy Harrower.
The impact underrepresented creatives have on our culture is the subject of the Museum’s latest exhibition, supported by Directors UK. Test Card saw three artists comissioned to create portraits of people of colour who have profoundly shaped British television history, the exhibition can be viewed online here. Last week’s launch at Channel 4 headquarters offered an opportunity to openly discuss the systemic issues marginalised creatives face, and reflect that there is no resolution in sight.
As part of Test Card we also collaborated with the Museum of Colour for a panel discussion: The Racism Will Be Televised. Director Christiana Ebohon-Green, Mobeen Azhar, Fatima Salaria, and Professor Doris Ruth Eikhof participated in an open and honest conversation moderated by Baroness Lola Young. They discussed how TV impacts society, whose voices it amplifies, and what it will take to build a more representative industry.
While these discussions are important, action must be taken now. Andy adds, “It’s easy to allocate modest amounts of money for diverse commissioning, but harder to ask your people to change the way they think, hire and work. There’s good work being done but it’s in pockets, helping a handful of directors at a time. We still see no evidence of a wholesale plan to address the structural issues that prevent underrepresented directors from having opportunities.”
We have urgently asked the broadcasters to share their plans for cultural change.
IMAGES: Tamiym Cader