Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh criticizes industry, claims "nothing's changed" for black actors

Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh expressed her frustration over TV bosses' failure to properly light Black actors.

Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh criticized the entertainment industry for its lack of progress in supporting Black actors.

The 61-year-old actress, known for portraying Lady Danbury in the Netflix series, expressed her frustration over TV bosses' failure to properly light Black actors. Despite the show's acclaim for its diversity, Adjoa noted that Black actors were still not being lit correctly in scenes.

Speaking on the Stirring It Up podcast on Thursday, she explained to Miquita Oliver and her mother Andi that her ongoing struggle with production teams has been “very tiring and very distracting.” She added that it wasn't “her s**t” and that she “didn't want to think about it.”

Discussing whether she felt powerful in her career, she said, "No. The continuing conversation about lighting black skin on every show. Nothing's changed. They're getting better, so I suppose I feel powerful in that I will now go, 'Am I blonde?'" But I hate doing it because a bit of me is like, 'Oh, I don't want to do it, I don't want to make a fuss.'”

"I don't want to because I want to come and do my work. I don't want to have to walk onto set [and raise an issue]. I want to be Lady Danbury and be totally engaged in that. When people say we're being chippy or militant I want to say that I'm just a human being and I just want to do the gift I'm blessed with and I want to do it in a free way. I'm not asking for a special revelation, I just want to live in my gift."

Adjoa collaborated closely with show creator Shonda Rhimes to develop Lady Danbury's backstory, incorporating elements of her West African heritage. She also teamed up with a costume designer to create jewelry for the third season, featuring West African symbols.