Idris Elba says racist TV shows should be rated, not removed: ‘I don’t believe in censorship’

‘I’m very much a believer in freedom of speech... but it’s not suitable for everybody,’ actor said

Idris Elba has spoken out about the need for a ratings system informing viewers if a film or TV show contains offensive or outdated content.

His comments come amid the re-appraisals of many old pieces of media, such as Gone with the Wind and Little Britain.

Gone with the Wind was briefly removed from US streaming service HBO Max because of its depiction of slavery, before being re-added with a explanatory disclaimer beforehand.

Little Britain was removed from streaming services including Netflix, BBC iPlayer and BritBox because of the use of blackface by its stars, Matt Lucas and David Walliams.

Speaking to Radio Times, Elba said: “I’m very much a believer in freedom of speech. But the thing about freedom of speech is that it’s not suitable for everybody. That’s why we have a rating system: we tell you that this particular content is rated U, PG, 15, 18, X…”

The Luther star suggested that a ratings system could be instigated which would alert viewers to racist jokes, viewpoints and themes within a show.

Programmes like Fawlty Towers, Peep Show, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and 30 Rock have all had episodes removed from streaming services over concerns that their depictions of blackface - or, in Fawlty Towers‘s case, racial slurs – would cause offence.

Elba continued: “Out of respect for the time and the movement, commissioners and archive-holders pulling things they think are exceptionally tone-deaf at this time – fair enough and good for you. But I think, moving forward, people should know that freedom of speech is accepted, but the audience should know what they’re getting into.

“I don’t believe in censorship. I believe that we should be allowed to say what we want to say. Because, after all, we’re story-makers.”