Colour-Blind & Colour-Conscious Casting

Colour-blind casting is a casting method that promotes diversity and inclusivity in the entertainment industry by casting actors regardless of their race, ethnicity, or skin colour.

Colour-conscious casting, on the other hand, allows directors to consider the history and culture that comes with each race and use it to create a more meaningful show. 

One example of successful colour-blind casting is the Netflix series Bridgerton, which features a diverse cast portraying characters from the English Regency era. For instance, the show’s Duke is played by a Black actor, and the Queen is portrayed by a mixed-race actor, among others. A lot of people loved this show; but others were less enthusiastic.

Meanwhile, the musical Hamilton uses colour-conscious casting to reimagine the story of America’s founding fathers. The show features a diverse cast, with Black and Latinx actors playing the roles of historical figures such as Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. The creator of the show, Lin-Manuel Miranda, has stated that the casting was a deliberate choice to compare Alexander Hamilton’s rise through the power of his words to that of a hip-hop artist.

Similarly Jocelyn Bioh’s production of Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor was set in an area of Harlem with a large West Indian community, and the cast was entirely West Indian, infusing the show with West Indian culture. This is a fine example of colour-conscious casting which explores race in a different kind of way.

There are times, however, when colour-blind casting may not be appropriate, such as when casting a historical figure.

For example, it would be problematic to have a white actor play the role of Nelson Mandela, given the historical significance and cultural background of the real-life figure. Similarly, casting a Black actor in the role of Queen Elizabeth I would not be historically accurate and could also be perceived as offensive to some viewers.

It is thus very important to approach colour-blind casting thoughtfully and with sensitivity, taking into account the cultural and historical context of each character before making casting decisions.

But here at enCAST, we believe that ANY role should be cast colour-blind unless there are compelling reasons why it should not be. Likewise actors should apply to ANY role unless ethnicity is a very compelling factor and they are not of the ethnicity in question.

Both colour-blind and colour-conscious casting are essential tools in promoting diversity and inclusivity in the entertainment industry.

While colour-blind casting can sometimes be problematic when it’s used as a way to fulfil diversity quotas or when it ignores the cultural and historical context of a character, colour-conscious casting allows for a more thoughtful and nuanced approach to casting. It acknowledges the role of race and discrimination and allows directors to consider the history and culture that comes with each race, creating a more meaningful and inclusive show.

With Bridgerton and Hamilton paving the way for more diverse casting choices, it is essential to approach casting thoughtfully and with sensitivity, considering the cultural and historical context of each character before making casting decisions. But it cannot be denied that both colour-blind and colour-conscious casting are incredibly valuable tools which have helped level the playing field in casting since the bad old days of John Wayne playing Mongolian leader Genghis Khan in The Conqueror or Mickey Rooney playing an insensitive racist stereotype Japanese character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.