22 March 2023 , 19:54
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BAFTA has defended the nominees for leading actress at this year's television awards, after no women from ethnic minorities received a nod.
Imelda Staunton, Kate Winslet and Maxine Peak are among the nominees for the category, with BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip celebrating the older ages of the actresses.
However, all the women included are white. As well as Imelda, 67, who was nominated for her role in The Crown, Kate, 47, for I Am Ruth and Maxine, 48, for Anne, Billie Piper, 40, for I Hate Suzie Too has been nominated alongside Sarah Lancashire, 58, for Julia and Vicky McClure, 39, for Without Sin.
Imelda Staunton has been nominated for her role as the Queen in The Crown (PA)When asked about the nominations, Ms Millichip said: "There is representation in that category in the fact that if you look at the age of the actresses and the roles written for them, it is extraordinary."
She told Deadline: "This is something that we’ve discussed for a long time in the television and film world: Are the roles written for women over the age of 40? That is a really impressive result."
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BAFTA later clarified that Millichip was talking about "representation" for older women as a separate issue from diversity, which the organisation considers to relate to ethnicity and, among other factors, socio-economic background.
Kate Winslet in I Am Ruth, pictured with Mia Threapleton (Channel 4)Millichip's statement has received backlash online, with one person commenting on Twitter : "Technically, yes, older white women is a demographic, but they are still a part of the Anglo-Saxon voting base.
"Common sense dictates that diversity also applies to race and ethnicity, not just gender/age. Sigh. Do better."
Another wrote: "BAFTA says people with green eyes count as diversity."
The Mature Times, a free newspaper for the over fifties, wrote: "BAFTA Says Older White Women Count As Diversity - what a ridiculous and completely ageist statement - nobody should be considered diverse because of age! Shame on you."
Three women of colour have been nominated in the supporting actress category: Jasmine Jobson and Saffron Hocking, both for Top Boy, and Adelayo Adedayo for The Responder.
Sara Putt, Deputy Chair of BAFTA and Chair of the Television Committee, said this year there is better representation around craft awards.
The BBC was the clear leader with a total of 81 nominations for both television and craft categories, while Channel 4 came second with 33, Netflix has 24 and ITV 19.
Good Morning Britain, Taskmaster and The Graham Norton Show all received nominations.
The Graham Norton Show was nominated (Matt Crossick/PA Wire)Sue Perkins and Rosie Jones got their first BAFTA nominations for Sue Perkins: Perfectly Legal and Rosie Jones' Trip Hazard.
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The Crown’s nominations include leading actress for Imelda Staunton playing the Queen and supporting actor for Salim Daw as Mohamed Al-Fayed.
In the International category, The Bear, White Lotus, Netflix's Wednesday and Dahmer all received nominations.
The awards ceremony will take place on May 14 later this year and will be hosted by Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan on May 14.