This week sees the release of a new adaptation of children's classic The Secret Garden. National treasures Julie Walters and Colin Firth are the biggest stars in the cast, but it's also a showcase for a new wave of young talent. Dixie Egerickx takes the lead as the spoiled orphan Mary, supported by Amir Wilson's Dickon, Dan Hayhurst's Colin and Isis Davis's Martha.
I have been asked a lot recently what it means to me to be the first Black/Mixed race actress to play the role of Martha, and to that my answer is EVERYTHING! Sadly, many black students have spoken out in recent months about their struggles at drama school. Whether it be microaggressions or blatant and upfront racism, it has been seriously affecting the journey of many of our young talented performers. If this is the struggle we are facing from day one, surely we all have to look at the grassroots of the problem.