Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh on the influence of Star Trek icon Nichelle Nichols
Nichelle Nichols played Nyota Uhura in Star Trek: The Original Series and its film sequels. She died at the age of 89 on July 30 this year
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Bridgerton: Netflix confirms season 3 is in production
Bridgerton has been described as a game changer in terms of how we view historical drama. But we sometimes act as if there has never been any diversity and inclusion before now.
Over 50 years ago, there was Star Trek. Creator Gene Roddenberry made a world where you saw people of all races working together.
Nichelle Nichols represented that for me. Nichelle was not just a terrific actress, she was a cultural icon.
As a black child in the 60s seeing anyone of colour on the TV was a thrill, but to be able to run to the TV every week knowing I would see an image of myself reflected back at me was huge.
She made me feel reassured as a black girl that I deserved to be seen, deserved to be part of the story.
Nichelle Nichols played Nyota Uhura in Star Trek
Image:
( Alamy Stock Photo)
At that time, you just did not see a black woman playing a central character.
Nichelle’s Star Trek character Uhura is Swahili for “freedom” and there was freedom to Nichelle’s role — unrestricted by her colour.
I feel similar freedom as Lady Danbury in Bridgerton but she was on Star Trek when there were very few black faces on our screen. You cannot underestimate her impact on black women my age.
Adjoa told her how much she inspired her as a young woman
Image:
( Moviestore Collection)
She met Nichelle at an event 20 years ago
Image:
( Dave Benett/Getty Images)
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So it was a great honour for me to be able to meet her at an awards ceremony in London 20 years ago.
I literally chased after her when I saw her leaving the event. I told her how much she inspired me as a young woman growing up in the English countryside. She was very gracious and she understood.
Her character shared a kiss with Captain James T Kirk
Image:
( CBS via Getty Images)
I have a white mother and a black father and the kiss between Lieutenant Uhura and Captain Kirk, which aired in 1968, was a radical act. It wasn’t that long after interracial relationships were illegal.
As a black woman, she was breaking a lot of barriers all in one go by being a central character in a really popular show.
It meant actors like me coming up knew it was possible. And I will forever be grateful to her for that.
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