Riches actor Hugh Quarshie on the new assertiveness of young Black British people: ‘It’s disappointing that Kwasi Kwarteng has allowed himself to be called Kwar-zee’
The IndependentSign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “I think it’s really bold of Abby to present a range of characters and attitudes that suggest that actually, people of African origin are equally capable of good and bad, and can just as easily get wrapped up in the sense of entitlement.” As well as this, the wealth of young Black talent in the series was something that Quarshie found inspiring, and a hopeful sign of long overdue balance in the entertainment industry. In Riches, we’ve got Adeyinka Akinrinade, Ola Orebiyi, Nneka Okoye… and audiences are going to have to get used to those names and pronouncing them properly.” “It’s disappointing that Kwasi Kwarteng has allowed himself to be called ‘Kwar-zee’”, he says, making a sudden link from his co-stars to the former chancellor of the exchequer. “In the Akan culture, the dominant culture of Ghana, the name Kwesi or Kwasi is almost always pronounced ‘Kweh-si’ – but the fact that he’s gone to Eton where people can’t be bothered to pronounce it properly…” Quarshie puts on the voice you’d imagine of an Old Etonian. open image in gallery Quarshie in ‘Riches’ “The second time around, I didn’t feel it was appropriate to speak to Neville, because I didn’t want to reopen those wounds.
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