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A common example is Jordan Peele’s
2017 movie ‘Get Out’, a comedic-horror
film centred on interracial dating and
other race relation issues in the US.
He believed movies about US race
relations should be only played by Afri-
can Americans.

Vauxhall Jermaine voiced his opinions
on this, saying “The casting director is
still going to pick the person they want,
no matter who walks in the room. Blame
the casting director if anything”. Chari-
ty Muiruri, suggested it is down to per-
formance “If you’re doing the role well,
I don’t see the problem in being able to
In 2016 Charity performed for live shows, From Vauxhall Jermaine’s view, America cross cultures. Especially as Americans
which enabled her to be contacted by an offers more chances as there is supposed- have done it”.
organisation that creates projects around ly more work. Whereas, both Sèverine and
political events in the community. Charity see it differently and believe there Sèverine Howell-Meri also disagreed that
is often this misconception that acting in Black British actors shouldn’t play Amer-
Since then, she has been involved in var- America is the way forward. ican lead roles. Sèverine used the exam-
ious screen acting and music video op- ple of fellow British actor Cynthia Erivo
portunities. Not to mention her remark- Sèverine Howell-Meri said, “I don’t think (below) and how she has been subjected
able collaborative project The Basement there are no opportunities here or not as to criticisms, for playing as ‘Harriet’. A
Bunch. Which works with other artists and many. I think there are different kinds of film based on 19th-century abolitionist
creatives for theatre styled performances, opportunities in America because it is a and American Icon Harriet Tubman.
in her hometown Luton. “When we start- different industry”. Charity Muiruri, praised Sèverine supports Cynthia Erivo as she
ed in the acting industry, we were always the fact there are so many British actors in said: “Cynthia is more interested in the
finding limitations to the roles we can do the US but says it leaves a narrative for up- experiences Black British and Black
or the roles that are available to us. We coming actors to follow the same path. “If Americans have in common rather than
just decided instead of us waiting for the we go over there, we are the only following their differences”. She added, “I can’t
industry to give us work, why don’t we just the same pattern as what has already hap- speak about the experiences of Black
create that work”. pened. We are not leading the way for those British people vs Black Americans.
who are coming up beneath us”.
Charity Muiruri added, “We work in Luton Charity suggested that as creatives we
because we want to bring it back to the should create work and be consistent with
town that we’re from. However, we don’t it in England. “Why not make it our mission
want to limit ourselves to just Luton, we to create a platform, not for us to be seen,
want to go to the midlands, London and but for others who see that and go ‘I want
international”. In light of Coronavirus, The to do that, or I could do that’. Charity shared
Basement Bunch had to postpone their with me her dream of acting in a Netflix se-
web series ‘Thick and Thieves’ which was ries, even if it means going to America.
scheduled to be released this year.
“I’m not going to turn around and say, ‘I’m
“There’s nothing we can do to move for- not going to do that’, but I’m not going to
ward in what we are doing. As a team leave everything I have here now and sac-
we still have talks, but it’s relaxed as we rifice that to go to the States”. But one thing I can agree on is what
talk about each other and look after our Cynthia said, the feelings are very simi-
well-being”. Black British actors playing American lar between Black American people and
leading roles Black British people when we experience
Acting industry: the UK versus the US racism”.
It was interesting to bring into context, the
Talking with Vauxhall, Sèverine and criticisms Black British actors face when Speaking with Vauxhall, Sèverine and
Charity. There was common debate, about taking on a role solely based on a American Charity makes me proud to be British.
whether the acting industry in the UK character. The UK has a collective of talented ac-
offers the same amount of opportunities in American actor Samuel L. Jackson tors and creatives doing such great work.
the United States. criticised the leading role being played by paves the way for the next generation of MAGAZINE // 41
London-based actor Daniel Kaluuya. performers.