Introduction

‘Test Card’ is an online exhibition produced by Museum of Colour. Three artists have been commissioned to create portraits of people of colour who have profoundly shaped British television history, both behind and in front of the camera. Through directors, writers, actors, producers, and videographers, the exhibition demonstrates how their influence has increased representation, enriched television storytelling, and left legacies. The exhibition examines individuals and events from 1950 to 2016, demonstrating television's evolution in varying sociopolitical contexts and the impact of these pioneers.

Racial representation on British television has been historically poor , but there are some signs of improvement, with the Creative Diversity Network’s 2025 Diamond Report finding that that on screen presence is increasing. Nevertheless, representation behind the camera is still lower, with 14% of African, Caribbean, Asian and minority ethnic groups making up 14% of off-screen contributions when they make up 17% of the UK workforce, and they make up 13.2% of contributions in senior roles. Most ethnic groups are less represented in senior roles, and African, Caribbean representation in senior roles is particularly low.

The Diamond report states, ‘While on-screen representation of African, Caribbean, Asian and other minority ethnic groups is above the Census figure, this disguises the relative underrepresentation of certain minority groups, particularly off-screen. For example, Asian (including East Asian, South Asian and other Asian backgrounds) representation in off-screen roles (3.2%) is less than half the national workforce estimates (6.4%)’

Television serves both as a mirror and driver of social change, shaping and reflecting narratives of identity, diaspora, culture, and race in the UK. Self-led projects offer spaces of resistance, joy, and presence.

Television is central to British identity and heritage. Diversity, equity and meaningful representation, including race, gender, faith, disability, and class, on British television is inevitably influenced by political hostility and structural inequalities that permeate the creative industries and beyond. In times of political contention, censorship, and fear, it is more important than ever to celebrate and platform creativity. People of colour have had a monumental impact on culture and media, using television as a tool for storytelling and socio-political advocacy. The commissioned portraits highlight some of these trailblazers, in front of and behind the camera.

Television’s role in political and social identity has been explored in the BFI’s season, ‘Constructed, Told, Spoken: A Counter-History of Britain on TV.’