Adjoa Andoh has claimed she criticised Bridgerton bosses for failing to properly shine a light on black actors, after becoming a household name as the star of the Netflix show.
The 61-year-old actor, who has played Lady Danbury since 2020, said that despite the show’s huge success, it has done “nothing” to help improve the way black actors are treated.
The actress revealed that even in Bridgerton, which has been praised for its diverse cast, Black actors, including herself, were not lit properly during scenes.
About him Shaking it In a podcast on Thursday, he explained that it was an issue affecting all sets, but admitted that he finds it exhausting to have to deal with.
Despite his frustration, Adjoa admitted that things were getting better, but he shouldn’t have to fight it and wished he could just “come and do his job.”
Adjoa Andoh claimed she criticised Bridgerton bosses for failing to properly shine a light on black actors, after becoming a household name as the star of the Netflix show (pictured 2023)
The actress, who has played Lady Danbury (pictured) since 2020, said that despite the show’s huge success, it has done “nothing” to help improve the way black actors are treated.
The actress revealed that even in Bridgerton, which has been praised for its diverse cast, Black actors, including herself, were not being lit properly during scenes (photo from last month).
The actress was speaking about her career and racism with Miquita Oliver and her mother Andi on an episode of her hit show.
Adjoa, who has worked in theatre, television and film, said she felt powerless in her career because of the racism she experienced.
She said: ‘No. The conversation about lightening black skin on every show continues. Nothing has changed. They’re getting better, so I guess I feel powerful because now I’m going to say, ‘Am I blonde?’
“But I hate doing it because part of me is like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to do it, I don’t want to make a fuss. ‘ I don’t want to do it because I want to come and do my job.
“I don’t want to have to go on set (and raise an issue). I want to be Lady Danbury and be totally involved in that.
‘When people say we’re being aggressive or militant, I mean I’m just a human being and I just want to do the gift I’ve been blessed with and I want to do it freely.
“I am not asking for a special revelation, I just want to live in my gift,” he added.
The actress described the constant battle with production crews as “very exhausting and very distracting,” adding, “That’s not my thing, I don’t want to think about that.”
Adjoa told presenters Miquita Oliver and her mother Andi that she did not want to always have to raise an issue, saying: “I want to be Lady Danbury and be totally committed to that.”
Adjoa revealed on the podcast that she had worked closely with Bridgerton creator Shonda Rhimes to develop Lady Danury’s backstory, adding details about her West African heritage.
The star also worked with a costume designer and created jewelry for the hit third season that included West African symbols.
These included an adrinka symbol meaning farewell or see you later, the sankofa bird with its head curved back, representing ‘returning and remembering your origin’ and the gye nyame symbol which Adjoa explained means accepting God and not fearing anything.
Adjoa told Miquita and Andi that she thought it was important to include the symbols, which were incorporated into her characters’ jewelry and costumes, “because that’s real.”
She described Shonda as “smart and open” to her ideas and said her family was proud to see the little details in the latest series.
This is not the first time the star has spoken out about racism.
The Invictus actress revealed last year how racism had ruined her life, from having her head smashed into walls at nursery school to being banned from the homes of friends and potential boyfriends.
In high school, she said she even became a punk because boys were afraid to hang out with her for fear of getting in trouble with their parents.
Netflix has been contacted for comment.