Mal Fletcher comments

Mal Fletcher

This week the co-creator and producer of the popular TV series Midsommer Murders was sacked after comments indicating a preference for keeping the show an all-white affair.

Brian True-May told the Radio Times the long-running drama was a 'last bastion of Englishness' and should stay that way. He added that the drama 'wouldn't work' if there was racial diversity in the show.

ITV immediately launched an internal investigation into the reported comments and has now relieved Mr. May of his position.

Is this a case of extreme political correctness? Is ITV simply reacting to emotive responses from journalists and media commentators, or are real issues of wider public concern involved?

In responding, let's remain mindful of two factors.

First, programmes like Midsommer Murders are not designed to present accurate social commentary.

After all, if there really were a small village area in England that's had 221 murders since 1997, it would have been in the news long before now. The show is escapist fantasy, not factual documentary.

Second, we must bear in mind the economic forces at play here. This particular programme is sold to 231 territories worldwide.

A large part of the programme's global audience is American. There are many areas stateside where the image of English country living is one of small, cosy villages in which everyone knows everyone else - and everyone is white.

It's a stereotype that harks back to Agatha Christie period pieces. Yet it doesn't represent Britain in the 21st century, not by a long stretch.

Perhaps in this case, though, the medium has begun to shape the man. The producer himself may have started to actually believe the fantasy image he is selling.

That said, there are village areas in England where you'll still find very little in the way of cultural diversity. I live in south Oxfordshire and it's surprising, when you drive through some of the villages here, how little cultural diversity is on display.

Even so, Mr. May's comments are unsettling because he seems to feel that this is a situation that isn't changing and should not change. He seems to feel that mono-culturalism is the way forward for English rural life.

Even in the most rural areas, the ethnic mix is clearly starting to change, particularly as a more cosmopolitan crowd moves outward from overcrowded and overpriced city areas.