Complex.com host Sean Evans asked Idris Elba, a black British actor, playing the iconic Stringer Bell on the acclaimed series The Wire, if it was true that series creator David Simon was unaware of his English accent. Elba admits that it’s true, but goes a step further in explaining why Simon didn’t know about his accent in the first place, saying that because Simon told Wire casting director that this series was set in Baltimore, he didn’t want non-American actors cast.
“Alexa Fogel was a casting director that was really into seeing new talent,” Elba says. “She said ‘I love you, I gotta bring you into this audition, but you have to promise that you can’t tell him you’re from East London.'” Fogel apparently told Elba—who was living in Brooklyn at the time—that he had to come in and just speak in an American accent.
Elba explains that when the fourth audition came around, they “changed the tactic” on him, asking him about his life and growing up. “My parents told me not to lie—you gotta look someone in the eye and be honest,” Elba admits. That’s when he had to spill the beans and admit that he was from East London. “Don’t fire Alexa, she told me not to tell you guys,” Elba says he admitted. West shouted “I knew it” and David ended up giving him the job, but instead of giving him the role of Avon Barksdale, he gave Elba the role of Stringer Bell.
Is this a perfect example of how Hollywood casting directors like Alexa Fogel deliberately pushing black British actors over African-American actors?
Join us for a protest rally on Washington, DC Wednesday, November 13, 2019.
The Solidarity Against Comcast’s Assault on the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 Protest Rally is Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at the Supreme Court of the United States building in Washington, DC. Register today and help us spread the word – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/80005549753.
We are asking individuals and organizations who fight for civil and human rights to join us in the protest rally and fight for civil rights in the United States.
If you cannot attend the march:
• Cancel your Comcast/Charter service today [How to Cut The Cable Cord] • Contact Comcast and Comcast’s CEO on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. and demand they stop this attach in the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 before the Supreme Court • Contact the Supreme Court and ask them to not change the current law.
There are organizations across the country supporting this fight. Join us for this march on Washington and protest against Comcast/NBCUniversal. Add your name/organization name to the list of supporters. Register today and help us spread the word – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/80005549753.
Here is why Cynthia Erivo, in particular, should not play Harriet Tubman.
TL; DR: There’s a troubling pattern of Cynthia repeatedly, deliberately, selectively *choosing* to not give respect to African-American heritage – the heritage of Harriet Tubman.#HarrietDeservesBetterpic.twitter.com/omxuA1Ese7
On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, Comcast/NBCUniversal is going before the Supreme Court of the United States to destroy the Civil Rights Bill of 1866. The company is asking SCOTUS to change the law to require a plaintiff to prove that 100% of the reason discrimination occurred was because of race.
The Urban Mediamakers stand in solidarity with women, LGTBQ, African-Americans, Blacks, Asian, Latinx, Indian, American Indian, other people of color and media mogul Byron Allen to fight Comcast/NBCUniversal blatant assault on the Civil Rights Bill of 1866.
There is a Solidarity Against Comcast’s Assault on the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 Protest Rally is Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at the Supreme Court of the United States building in Washington, DC. Register today and help us spread the word – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/80005549753.
For time sensitive or urgent questions please contact the Public Information Office at the following number: 202-479-3211.
Solidarity Against Comcast’s Assault on the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 Rally, Cancelling Comcast Service, Make Phone Calls and Send Emails/Letters to Members of SCOTUS
Watch and listen to Byron Allen breaks down the entire Comcast/NBCUniversal lawsuit – https://youtu.be/d6VBYU3Jvl4.
Congratulations to our winning filmmakers, graphic designers and writers representing creativity from around the world! We are excited to have these new members of the Urban Mediamakers Winners Circle. Checkout the full winners list.
The 18th Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (UMFF) 2019 was a success because of the actors, filmmakers, content creators, writers, movie lovers and volunteers from around the world. Thank you for coming out October 10-16 to support diverse and inclusive storytellers!
Happy holidays and we look forward to seeing you in 2020!
Media Mogul Leading the Way – Byron Allen, CEO of is a comedian, television producer, philanthropist, and the founder, owner, chairman, and chief executive officer of the U.S. television production company Entertainment Studios.
A Game changer, Byron Allen is leading the challenge of white media powers – Comcast and Charter – for not doing business with wholly-owned Black media businesses in the USA. Using the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 — the very first civil rights bill of the United States — Allen is suing and has won several legal battles against Comcast and Charter.
Kudos to Allen for speaking truth to power and addressing inequity in USA media. We, the Urban Mediamakers, are honored to give Byron Allen the UMFF Vanguard Award 2019 in Gwinnett County, Georgia on Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 7:00 pm at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast Hotel in Norcross.
Tyler Perry came to Atlanta living out of his car. Now he owns the largest studio in the United States. Located in southwest Atlanta – SWATS – Perry has turned an old confederate United States Army Base into a site to see. Atlanta has its own Hollywood owned by Tyler Perry. Congratulations Tyler. We are so proud of you.
