Honouring the Windrush Generation and the stars who continue their cultural legacy on screen
The HMT Empire Windrush docked at Tilbury on June 22, 1948. Aboard were hopeful men and women from Jamaica, Trinidad, Grenada, St Lucia, and Barbados, invited to help rebuild a Britain shattered by war. What they weren’t prepared for were the social and racial challenges they would face upon arrival.
Yet, despite these barriers, the Windrush Generation and their descendants not only helped rebuild the infrastructure of Britain—they also rewrote the creative and cultural script of the nation. Their stories, voices, and talent reshaped television, theatre, and film, breaking through decades of exclusion to reflect a richer, more accurate portrayal of British life.
Salute to the Trailblazers
Before Windrush even docked, Robert Adams—a Guyanese-born actor—made history in 1937 as the first Black person to appear on British TV in the BBC’s Theatre Parade. In 1947, he also became the first Black actor to perform Shakespeare on screen (The Merchant of Venice). Adams was the founder and director of the Negro Repertory Arts Theatre, one of the first professional Black theatre companies in Britain.
In 1946, Pauline Henriques from Jamaica became the first Black woman on UK television when she appeared in All God’s Chillun Got Wings. Cyril Ewart Lionel Grant, a Guyanese actor, musician, writer, poet, and World War II veteran, became the first Black person to feature regularly on British television in the 1950s due to his appearances on the BBC’s current affairs show Tonight. Bermudian native Earl Cameron became the first Black actor in a major British film (Pool of London, 1951) and an early sci-fi TV star, appearing in the iconic series Doctor Who in 1966. We salute these pioneers who laid the foundation for generations of actors from across the Caribbean to redefine what it means to be Black and British on screen.
Our Stories, Our Way
British television in the 1970s offered more representation for Caribbean characters—but often in deeply problematic ways. Don Warrington, born in Trinidad, was frequently subjected to on-screen racism in one of his earliest roles in Rising Damp. Comedian Lenny Henry, of Jamaican heritage, was a regular on the morning show Tiswas and faced criticism for the stereotypical characters he was pressured to portray for the average British audience. Both went on to forge long-lasting, impactful careers on British television, becoming role models for Black British actors.
Since then, the doors have been pushed open, allowing Caribbean-British creatives to tell their stories authentically. From much-loved comedies like No Problem! (1983), Desmond’s (1989), and The Real McCoy (1991), to dramas like Babyfather (2001), Yardie (2018)—a feature film based on Jamaican author Victor Headley’s bestselling novel—and Small Axe (2020), a five-part anthology by Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen (of Grenadian and Trinidadian descent), which chronicled the lives of Caribbean immigrants in London from the 1960s to 1980s. These projects have ensured that the true stories of the Windrush Generation and their descendants are preserved and celebrated.
A Cultural Rewriting
For decades, British television was a mirror that failed to reflect all of its people. Caribbean-British actors often faced stereotyping or invisibility. The Windrush Generation changed that—not just by appearing on screen but by owning the narrative. They gave us more than characters; they gave us ourselves. From trailblazers like Earl Cameron to contemporary stars like Letitia Wright, Windrush heritage is now deeply embedded in the UK’s artistic fabric. Today, diverse storytelling isn’t just a feature of British culture—it is British culture.
While Jamaica is often the most recognised Caribbean island influencing British culture, we must acknowledge the diversity of the region. Multiple islands and cultural identities have helped shape the talent and creativity that have elevated Black British representation, including on global platforms like Hollywood.
Here’s a look at some of the most prominent Caribbean-rooted British actors whose work continues the legacy of Windrush—bringing diversity, talent, and authenticity to UK screens and beyond:
⸻
🇯🇲 Jamaica
- Naomie Harris (James Bond, Moonlight) – Oscar nominee with Jamaican mother and Trinidadian father.
- Delroy Lindo (Da 5 Bloods, The Good Fight) – London-born to Jamaican parents.
- Marsha Thomason (Lost, White Collar) – Raised in Manchester, born to Jamaican parents.
- Richard Blackwood (EastEnders, Hollyoaks) – A long-standing figure in UK comedy and drama.
- Angie Le Mar – Trailblazing comedian, playwright, and broadcaster with Jamaican roots.
- Lashana Lynch – (The Woman King, Bob Marley: One Love, No Time To Die) London-born to Jamaican parents.
⸻
🇹🇹 Trinidad & Tobago
- Eamonn Walker (Chicago Fire) – Born in London to a Trinidadian mother.
- Stefan Kalipha – Veteran actor born in Trinidad with roles in Octopussy, Coronation Street, and Dangerfield.
⸻
🇩🇲 Dominica
- Danny John-Jules (Red Dwarf, Death in Paradise) – Parents from Dominica; one of the most beloved faces in British sci-fi.
- Tahj Miles (Small Axe, Death in Paradise) – Rising star with Dominican and Jamaican heritage.
- Treva Etienne (Pirates of the Caribbean, Black Hawk Down) – Actor and filmmaker, son of Dominican immigrants.
⸻
🇬🇾 Guyana
- Letitia Wright (Black Panther, Small Axe) – Born in Georgetown, moved to London as a child.
- Brinsley Forde – Actor (Babylon) and musician (Aswad), with Guyanese heritage.
- Robert Adams – The original pioneer of Black British television.
⸻
🇱🇨 St Lucia
- Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones, Fast & Furious) – Her father is Saint Lucian; her mother is Dominican.
- Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Secrets & Lies) – Daughter of Antiguan and St Lucian parents.
⸻
🇰🇳 St Kitts & Nevis
- Felix Dexter (The Real McCoy) – Born in St Kitts, raised in Surrey; a comedic genius lost too soon.
- Burt Caesar – Esteemed actor and BBC Radio drama director, born in St Kitts.
⸻
🇧🇧 Barbados
- Alfred “Alfie” Enoch (Harry Potter, How to Get Away with Murder) – His maternal family is from Barbados.
⸻
🇬🇩 Grenada
- Allister Bain – Grenadian-born actor, playwright, and screenwriter with a long-standing presence in British theatre.
- Eamonn Walker (again) – His father is Grenadian.
On Windrush Day, we remember the courage it took to board that ship in 1948. We honour the resilience that followed. And we celebrate the stories—told through performance, humour, drama, and truth—that have defined a new Britain.
The Windrush Generation built our cities.
Their children built our culture.
And today, they light up our screens and ensure we can all be proud of our Caribbean legacy.