Venus vs Mars: how YouTube success secured a TV deal for urban drama

British production firm PurpleGeko on breaking into broadcast with its romcom: 'It's got a predominantly ethnic cast, but there's no stereotypes in the show'

There's been a vigorous debate about the opportunities - or the lack of them - for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) producers, writers and actors on British TV.

In 2014, actor and comedian Lenny Henry called for new legislation to reverse a trend that has seen the number of BAME people working in the British television industry fall by 30.9% between 2006 and 2012.

Related: Why black British drama is going online, not on TV