Having been on the receiving end of racism himself, Emmerdale actor Emile John is proud the soap is tackling the issue head on.
But while Emile’s character, lawyer Ethan Anderson, finds himself in the awful position of defending a racist attacker, off screen he sees the world moving in the right direction.
Changes within film and TV are evident, one example comes in the form of new Time Lord Ncuti Gatwa.
“I didn’t see a Black Doctor Who coming,” Emile says. “I think it is just incredible. I texted my mate as soon as I heard and said ‘Can you believe it?’ It’s on the same level – just as big as having a prospective black James Bond, it is that huge.
“Young people will see a black person as Doctor Who – as a hero.
“Me and my mates used to be in the playground playing at being David Tennant – to have a generation of black people see a black Doctor is a gift. Representation matters.”
The 25-year-old has seen things getting better in other ways too. He says: “I’ve benefited from the progression that’s been made with regards to diverse TV casting.
“Hiring people of colour should be just as normal as hiring anyone else. And playing a young mild-mannered ambitious professional like my character Ethan is part of that.”
Ethan first arrived in the Dales in January last year as the son of new vicar Charles Anderson.
Most recently, viewers have been gripped by the racist attack on Billy Fletcher and its aftermath, with Ethan agreeing to defend his attacker Jordan Greenlow. Tonight Ethan will pull out of defending a racist, with horrifying consequences as he ends up putting himself in danger.
Emile, who lives in London, says he could draw on his own life experiences when filming the traumatic scenes, aired tomorrow night.
He says: “I lived through what you’re seeing on-screen – racist attitudes and verbal abuse – not to Billy and Ethan’s extent. I haven’t been physically attacked but microaggressions can leave mental scars. So, of course, I understand.
“Whether it’s covert racism or physical racially aggravated assault – the two are just as bad as each other. But I haven’t seen any other soap tackle the kind of racism that is this bold. I think its incredibly brave of Emmerdale to take it on.
“The Black Lives Movement was powerful as it taught me a lot,” he reveals. “You can call out people for that casual racism that minority people have been putting up with for so long. Whereas I would suppress it internally, I don’t do that now. I call it out. And someone actually gets to learn something.
“Though it’s not a Black person’s responsibility to educate people on how not to be racist. I remember all the so-called quips and digs that I would laugh off.
“I’ve been in situations where I’ve experienced discrimination, something is said that is out of order, and I’ve laughed along and then done a double [take] and thought ‘wait a minute that is not actually funny.’”
Emile’s ascent to soap stardom has been nothing short of stratospheric – having only left drama school in 2020 and winning the role of Ethan at his first-ever TV audition.
He says: “It’s such a dream come true to be on such a well-loved serial.”
But could Hollywood be calling?
Emile’s idol Idris Elba, 49, – who also got his career start on a soap, Channel 5’s Family Affairs, is a huge international star. His name has also been a firm favourite on potential new Bond lists – but last month he ruled himself out.
“I have so much respect for what Idris has achieved as he’s faced more barriers as a black actor,” Emile says.
“I am really enjoying Emmerdale, but there will be a time that I will want to see what else is out there. This is a big industry I’m chasing Idris. And now I might be in line for that James Bond vacancy!”
Emmerdale is on tomorrow, 7.30pm ITV.
