Rising Waves, an organisation dedicated to promoting British East and Southeast Asian (BESEA) voices in the arts and media, has released a statement highlighting a stark decline in the representation of these communities in UK television. The findings, based on the latest Diamond Report, paint a concerning picture of near-total exclusion for ESEA creatives.
According to the Diamond Report, East Asians now account for a mere 0.8% of on-screen roles, 0.5% of off-screen roles, and a minuscule 0.1% in senior positions. This is despite East Asians making up 1.2% of the UK population. The situation is even more dire for South East Asians, who are almost entirely absent, representing just 0.2% on-screen, 0.1% off-screen, and 0% in senior roles, despite comprising 0.7% of the population. Notably, the report found not a single South East Asian individual holding a senior creative role across all broadcaster data.
These figures represent a significant worsening of representation compared to the previous Diamond report, published in September 2024. In that report, East Asian creatives had slightly more visibility, with 1.5% on-screen, 0.6% off-screen, and 0.3% in senior roles. “Even with improved data collection, representation has declined. Visibility is shrinking. Progress is reversing,” states Rising Waves.
Rising Waves argues that this severe underrepresentation is not due to a lack of talent or a “pipeline problem.” Instead, they assert, “It is about who gets seen, who gets supported, who gets the jobs, and who receives investment. The system is functioning as it was built to, and it is shutting us out.”
The organisation points out that while other marginalised communities are beginning to see change supported by targeted industry efforts, ESEA creatives continue to be overlooked. “There is no national strategy, no dedicated funding stream, and no meaningful commissioning focus for our communities,” Rising Waves emphasises.
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Despite the lack of opportunities in the UK, the global success of Asian-led productions demonstrates a clear audience demand. Series like Beef, Pachinko, and Shogun, and films such as Past Lives and Everything Everywhere All at Once, have achieved critical acclaim and strong viewing figures. Rising Waves highlights that “These are not niche titles.
They are award-winning, widely watched, and emotionally resonant. NONE of which are British-made.” They warn that if the UK industry fails to act, it risks falling further behind and missing out on a significant market.
Rising Waves is actively working to address this imbalance through its mentorship programmes, which support both early-career and mid-career British East and Southeast Asian creatives. However, they stress that systemic change requires more than individual efforts.
“Good intentions are not enough. Not for us, and not for any marginalised community. We need action that is focused, long-term, and accountable. If you say you care about change, this is your chance to prove it.”
Rising Waves is calling for concrete action from the industry, including:
- Targeted investment in ESEA talent development and progression.
- Ringfenced funding and commissioning for ESEA-led work.
- Representation at senior and decision-making levels.
- Partnerships that place power and resources in the hands of ESEA communities.
“The talent is here. The audiences are ready. The stories already exist. The UK industry must now make space for us- not only on screen, but behind the scenes, in writers’ rooms, in commissioning conversations, and in leadership,” says Rising Waves. “Diversity cannot be selective. Inclusion cannot be partial. Change cannot wait.”
