Playwright and screenwriter James Graham has made a passionate plea for more opportunities for working-class people in the TV industry, citing the alarming statistic that only 8% of those currently working in television come from a working-class background.
In his MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Graham emphasized the importance of having a diverse range of voices and experiences represented in the industry. He highlighted the fact that a significant portion of the population identifies as working class, yet their perspectives are vastly underrepresented on screen.
Graham called for social class to be given more consideration when measuring diversity within the industry, noting that it is often overlooked in favor of more visible diversity categories such as race, gender, and sexuality. He shared his own experiences of growing up in a working-class environment and the impact that representative television had on him.
The playwright also praised public service broadcasters like the BBC, urging critics to recognize the value they bring to British storytelling and culture. He called on the new government to prioritize the restoration of creative subjects in the education system, which have been systematically stripped away in recent years.
Graham’s speech comes at a time when the TV industry is facing challenges from technological advancements like artificial intelligence. While acknowledging the potential threat posed by AI, Graham expressed confidence that audiences will continue to value human creativity and connection in storytelling.
Overall, Graham’s call for greater representation and opportunities for working-class voices in the TV industry has sparked important conversations about diversity and social mobility within the sector. His words serve as a reminder of the power of storytelling to reflect the full diversity of experiences and communities across the UK.
