Course Aimed at Enhancing Hair and Makeup Skills for Actors from Diverse Backgrounds, Supported by Prime Video and British Broadcasters

Prime Video, Sky, and British Broadcasters Launch Initiative to Support Ethnic Minority Hair and Makeup Specialists

Prime Video, Sky, and various British broadcasters have united to promote a new initiative aimed at training crews in hair and makeup specifically for actors from ethnic minority backgrounds. This effort is designed to address the unique needs of diverse talent in the industry.

The program, known as the Textured Hair & Makeup for Deep Skin-Tones Accelerator, is a project of Dandi, an offshoot of TriForce Creative Network, which is known for producing ITV’s long-running quiz show Sorry, I Didn’t Know, focusing on Black history.

Across the UK, the initiative will recruit 10 participants in three categories: Elevate, Evolve, and Equip. This structure aims to bring together emerging talent with transferable skills from outside the industry, established mid-career hair and makeup professionals, and current crew members seeking to enhance their skills.

The training will feature a blend of in-person sessions, online modules, industry showcases, and two years of supported paid placements. The initiative enjoys backing from Amazon’s Prime Video Pathway, following a successful pilot program in Scotland in 2025, and also receives support from the BBC, Sky, Channel 4, ITV, and Screen Alliance North.

The need for such a program is evident. Research indicates that 71% of actors from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds report challenges in finding crews that can meet their hair and makeup needs, a situation that, according to Dandi, “undermines wellbeing, authenticity, and production value.” Dandi previously collaborated with producer trade body Pact to develop the Hair & Makeup Equity Guidelines.

Fraser Ayres, leader of Dandi, commented on the initiative: “Make-up and hair are an integral part of the magic of storytelling across film & television. As representation matters and resonates equally on and off-screen, hair and makeup artists’ confidence in our on-set skills, working with all hair textures and skin tones, is key to the important bond of trust between creatives. True confidence in our career trajectories comes from owning our significant role in creating a space where everyone feels nurtured, seen, and heard to freely express ourselves.”