Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor in Doctor Who (2024), BBC

The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) announced it will increase its representation targets for its TV production teams from 20% to 25% “across all production roles.”

Alexander Devrient as Colonel Ibrahim, Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor, and Lenny Rush as Morris Gibbons in Doctor Who (2024), BBC

In a press release, the company stated, “The BBC is launching ambitious new creative diversity commitments to increase diversity and inclusion within programme making teams, and ensure that the stories told on-air are authentically reflective of audiences across the UK.”

To that point it is raising its targets “across ethnicity, disability, and socio-economic diversity from 20% to 25% across all production roles.”

Jinkx Monsoon in Doctor Who (2024), BBC

Not only did the company share that it was increasing its representation targets, but it also revealed it would invest over $105 million “in content that meets the BBC’s creative diversity criteria for TV and Radio.”

It specifically noted this money “will focus on aligning diverse on-air storytelling with stronger off-air representation in senior production roles and leadership within production companies.”

The company also revealed it spent nearly $320 million over the last three years “to drive diversity and inclusion both on and off air.” It had previously pledged around $150 million.

Jemma Redgrave as Kate Lethbridge Stewart, Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, and Yasmin Finney as Jason Noble in Doctor Who (2024), BBC

The BBC will also be requiring potential productions “to outline their plans to deliver the 25% target and how they will apply the Inclusive Production Principles as part of the commissioning process.”

The Inclusive Production Principles require “processes are in place for inclusive casting and crew.” It also demands that “productions will provide specialist hair and makeup stylists to work with afro textured hair and a variety of skin tones.”

Productions will also have to provide “access to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) education training and resources […] to foster a culture of inclusion and transparency.”

Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday in Doctor Who Christmas Special “The Church on Ruby Road” (2023), BBC

BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore commented on the new targets and the company’s spending promise, “We are committed to backing British storytelling and I recognise the important role diverse-led indies play in telling these authentic stories.

“By increasing our investment in diverse content and enhancing our off-screen diversity targets, we aim to create a more inclusive environment that authentically represents and resonates with all audiences,” she added.

Millie GIbson as Ruby Sunday and Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor in Doctor Who (2024), BBC

BBC Head of Creative Diversity Jessica Schibli also shared, “Our previous commitments set an industry benchmark. Building on the insights gained over the past three years, our new creative diversity commitments go further to deepen our dedication to making meaningful and lasting changes both on and off air, particularly in senior roles off-air which influence the creative output.”

“We are focused on leading the way in representation, inclusion and authenticity, to ensure that the BBC continues to be impactful in serving all audiences,” she said.

Yasmin Finney as Jason Noble in Doctor Who (2024), BBC

What do you make of BBC’s new announcement and representation targets?