Black Hollywood: 'They've Gotta Have Us' – BBC2

Black Hollywood picture shows Spike Lee in Do the Right Thing — (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

Film veterans Harry Belafonte, Earl Cameron and Diahann Carroll discuss what it was like to be a pioneer in a white movie world

This three-part series on black cinema begins with the pioneers who led the way in segregated America, changing attitudes through film.

Harry Belafonte was one of the first romantic black leads, yet was forbidden to kiss on screen. Now, at 91, Belafonte – who had a memorable role in Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman this year – talks about constantly trying to find a way to deny the prejudice and beat the system.

Sidney Poitier In the heat of the night (1967)

From the positive influence of Oscar winner Sidney Poitier (above) in the 1950s and 1960s to Spike Lee’s incendiary work in mainstream 1980s cinema, this is about the brave people who told their own story – not the one ‘white’ Hollywood wanted them to tell.

TV Times rating: *****

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As TV Times Highlights Editor I get to hear about all the latest TV shows coming soon. Here at TVT HQ we are in the privileged position of selecting the best programmes from across all the channels and streaming platforms. Our mission is to make it easier for our readers to decide what to watch - and give them lots of choice of genres - all the latest shows, plus some nostalgic choices we call hidden gems, too. My career began with a postgraduate degree in periodical journalism (ahem, yes old school!) in 1991 and I’ve worked in TV media since 2000.