Empire Road

I was doing my thing of looking around the old IMDb, and I found this show from my childhood. When it was on it was more then a show, it felt like a way of life.

Just thinking about 'Empire Road' brings back a lot memories. I remember it being one, if not the only show's at the time with a black cast, in Britain anyway, so somethings don't change. It was the must see show with my family. It was so cool to see black actors on British TV, Britain was a bit behind at that time, and sorry to say still is.. Norman Beaton, Joseph Marcel (long before fresh prince)l and Wayne Laryea where like my family, they talked like my family and looked like my family.

When it ended I missed it very much, and over 20 years later, I still do.

I rate Empire Road as good as anything on TV at that time such as Boys from the Blackstuff. It showed life as it really was and still managed to be entertaining. It was a shame the BBC didn't realise what a gem it was and give it a third series. It is an even greater shame it is not on DVD.

It managed to portray what life was like in inner city Britain without being pretentious. Furthermore it was able to tackle tissues like racism and unemployment amongst the youth while still entertaining and being as show for the whole family.

One interesting subplot was the romance between West Indian Desmond and Asian Ranjana. The Reid brothers Royston and Desmond graphically showed what it was like to be young black and unemployed in these recessionary times.

This was a trailblazing programme. It is a pity and to the shame of the BBC that it was never adequately followed up on.