Adjoa Andoh, the acclaimed actress who portrays the formidable Lady Danbury in Netflix's global phenomenon Bridgerton, has candidly shared her thoughts on the lack of diversity within royal family traditions.
The actress, who also featured in The Crown, revealed her disappointment during a recent interview, specifically referencing the monarchy's balcony appearances at events like Trooping the Colour.
'A Terrible Shame' - Andoh's Candid Royal Commentary
'I'm very cross about the balcony,' Andoh stated emphatically. She described looking at the sea of white faces during the Platinum Jubilee and thinking, 'We're going to have to get some more mixed-race folk on the balcony.'
The actress didn't hold back her feelings about the visual representation, calling it 'a terrible shame' and expressing her hope for more inclusive representation in the future.
From Regency London to Modern Representation
Andoh's role in Bridgerton has positioned her at the forefront of conversations about diversity in period dramas. The Netflix series, created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes, has been widely praised for its colour-conscious casting that reimagines Regency-era London with racial diversity at all social levels.
'We have a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-faith, multi-gendered, multi-sexual world,' Andoh explained, highlighting the importance of reflecting reality in historical storytelling.
The Power of Inclusive Storytelling
The actress passionately discussed how Bridgerton's approach allows audiences to see themselves in stories from which they've traditionally been excluded.
'When you have a story that is as beautifully told as Bridgerton is, and you have the opportunity for people who don't normally get to see themselves in that context to see themselves,' she said, 'it's really thrilling.'
Andoh's comments come as the entertainment industry continues to grapple with questions of representation and diversity both on-screen and behind the camera.
