Yahoo News Stephen writers discuss "responsibility" of working on the ITV drama as white people
Stephen writers Joe and Frank Cottrell Boyce have spoken about the "responsibility" they felt while working on the ITV drama about Stephen Lawrence and his family.
Three-part drama Stephen serves as a sequel to ITV's BAFTA award-winning 1999 drama The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, which depicted the tragic murder of Stephen, who was killed at the age of 18 in a racially motivated attack at a London bus stop in 1993.
Stephen will pick up in 2006 and will follow Stephen's parents, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Dr Neville Lawrence, and detective DCI Clive Driscoll as they put together an investigation that secures the conviction of two of Stephen's killers, Gary Dobson and David Norris.
Related: Steve Coogan and Sharlene Whyte in first look at new Stephen Lawrence drama
The drama's writers, Joe and Frank, have told Digital Spy and other media that, as white writers, they found it "vital" to do their research and listen to the Lawrence family's experiences.
"From the beginning, we saw it as a huge responsibility," Joe said. "We're writing about a real family who have experienced profound racial trauma and coming from a position of white privilege, I think at the beginning it's vital to know what you don't know, and to research, to listen, and to faithfully convey the insights that are being generously spared by the Lawrence family, also the Adams family, who are also portrayed in it.
"I think the only way to approach it is as an exercise in empathy and listening and learning."
Frank added: "We listened a lot. Doreen was fantastically generous with us, as she's been generous with the nation. She's shared her wisdom, she's shared her grief, she's made herself vulnerable, she's made herself open.
"And we try to channel Clive's virtues. He's a brilliant listener and he tried to be of service."
Related: Stephen: The Murder That Changed a Nation shows the strength of Doreen and Neville Lawrence
Joe also spoke about the responsibility he and Frank faced to "confront" the issue of institutional racism.
"While this is a story about a Black family and their experiences, it's also a story about institutional racism," Joe said. "It's a story about white terrorism and a police force serving white communities while disregarding Black lives. Part of the experience of being Black in Britain is being on the receiving end of a white supremacist culture.
"As white writers, we've also got a responsibility to confront that and expose that. These are also white stories as well as stories about a Black family's experience. So I think we also have a stake in that and a responsibility."
Related: Line of Duty just did something it's never done before by tackling systemic racism
Stephen features Sharlene Whyte as Stephen's mother Doreen, with the Small Axe actress taking over the role from Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who played her in the 1999 film.
Holby City actor Hugh Quarshie reprises his role as Stephen's father Neville from The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, while Philomena actor Steve Coogan plays DCI Driscoll, who worked closely with the Lawrence family on the investigation.
The drama has been executive produced by Mark Redhead, who produced the original drama in 1999, alongside Jimmy Mulville, Jed Mercurio and Paul Greengrass, who wrote and directed The Murder of Stephen Lawrence. It is directed by Bridgerton director Alrick Riley.
Stephen has been made with the full support of the Lawrence family, with Stephen's parents giving the drama their blessing.
Stephen will air on ITV later this year.
For more information on how you can support Black Lives Matter, please visit its official website or donate here. Readers can also donate to the UK anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism, and the Unite Families & Friends Campaign, which supports those affected by deaths in police, prison and psychiatric custody.
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