We need to do better and we know it.
We showed you some photos of 16 new series regulars, 11 of them are diverse, Geller continued.
That is real action …
Credit: CBS
I wouldnt say were mitigating anything.
Those 16 roles were added because the showrunners were adding roles.
Why are you less diverse?
It includes our writers program, it includes our directors program …
I think you have to look in front of the camera and behind the camera.
And I understand we need to do better with leads.
Youve hadyearsto fix this.
Look, Im acknowledging we need to do better, Geller repeated.
But I hear you, I really do, and I understand that we need to do better.
EW first pointed out In May that the networks six fall shows had uniformly white male leads.
There is some diversity planned for 2017.
Another midseason drama,Training Day, includes actor Justin Cornwell, who is black, as a co-lead.
Veteran actor Bill Paxton costars in that series, filling the role Denzel Washington had in the original film.
Geller was also asked about LGBT inclusion.
I think things are definitely shifting and in terms of LGBT representation, Geller added.
We have more LGBT characters on this coming year than ever before.
And Laverne Cox, inDoubt, which will be on later this season, is a historic role.
Shes going to be the first transgender actress ever to play a series regular character.
