The Frock Flicks team is taking a little time off as we head into fall, so we’re repeating some relevant posts from the archives.
Race and Roles in Historical Costume Dramas
Actors aren’t the only ones annoyed that people of color don’t show up in most period drama. Want to go beyond the frock flicks? Fight racism with Showing Up for Racial Justice!
I had to search to find the link: https://frockflicks.com/race-roles-historical-costume-dramas/
My son (age 11) and I recently watched the 1998 CBC mini-series Big Bear, about one of the key participants in Canada’s 1885 North West Resistance. The show had a neat conceit where Mistahimakhwa (anglicized to Big Bear) and his people all speak English, and any white characters speak gibberish, except those who have learnt the Cree language. I grew up on stories of the 1885 Rebellion told from either the perspective of white victors, or the Metis followers of Louis Riel, so it was eye-opening to see the tale from the POV of the Cree people. The miniseries can be found free to watch on Youtube and elsewhere.