1980s: The New Wave

The 1980s were a seminal decade in representation, and African Caribbean and South Asian led television projects. Multicultural television departments were developed, such as the London Minorities Unit, which produced Skin (1980). Channel 4 was launched in 1982, and started producing shows for and about African, Caribbean and Asian people, with specific diverse programming departments. These shows predominantly include documentary and magazine shows such as Eastern Eye (1982-85), Black on Black (1983-85), Bandung File (1985-91) and Black Bag (1991-97). Important figures in 1980s media and anti-racist television programming include Tariq Ali, Darcus Howe, and Parminder Vir. Farrukh Dhondy became the commissioning editor for Multicultural programmes at Channel 4 from 1984 to 1997.

Sitcoms moved away from heavy racist stereotypes, and more were made by and featured people of colour. No Problem (1983-1985) was created by the Black Theatre Co-operative, written by Farrukh Dhondy and Mustapha Matura. This also featured actors and writers such as Judith Jacobs. Other significant shows of the 1980s included Tandoori Nights (1985), written by Farrukh Dhondy. One of the most significant Channel 4 AfricanCaribbean comedies, Desmond’s, aired in 1989. Desmond’s was created and co-written by Trix Worrell. The show features a mostly British Guyanese cast, and stars Norman Beaton and Carmen Munroe. The Lenny Henry Show also started in 1984.

East Asian representation was, and is, extremely low on British television. In 1982, The Chinese Detective first aired. David Yip played the lead character; this was the first time an East Asian actor had a lead role on a British Television show. It is still one of the only series to feature an East Asian lead.

The 1980s were a time of radical political change and grass-roots activism, against a backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s government and policies. In 1980, the Black Media Workers' Association (BMWA) formed as a pressure group, bringing together African, Caribbean and Asian creatives. Significant figures in Channel 4 programming, like Farrukh Dhondy and Darcus Howe, were involved in political groups, such as the British Black Panthers and the Indian Workers’ Association. Channel 4 was hugely influential and revolutionised broadcasting by funding and screening work from marginalised groups. Their influence extended to the BBC and ITV.

The 1980s were a period of drastic change, particularly because of the creation of Channel 4. This led to more politically engaged programming, anti-racist TV, and opportunities.