Race is a very touchy subject for many, but I wondered out loud why Deadline Hollywood would publish an article that seems to suggest that there are too many “ethnic shows” on television right now. According to Nellie Andreeva, white actors can’t find work in Hollywood because of the number of “ethnic shows,” including pilots. That includes “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Cristela,” “Fresh Off the Boat,” “Scandal,” “Black-ish.” “Empire,” and so on. Booohooo…..

Andreeva published an article at Deadline Hollywood, that laments about the changing television landscape that has shifted so much this season that white actors are finding it increasingly difficult to find roles.

Deadline:  The change is welcomed by talent agents who no longer have to call casting directors and ask them if they would possibly consider an ethnic actor for a part, knowing they would most likely be rejected. “I feel that the tide has turned,” one agent said. “I can pitch any actor for any role, and I think that’s good.”

But, as is the case with any sea change, the pendulum might have swung a bit too far in the opposite direction. Instead of opening the field for actors of any race to compete for any role in a color-blind manner, there has been a significant number of parts designated as ethnic this year, making them off-limits for Caucasian actors, some agents signal. Many pilot characters this year were listed as open to all ethnicities, but when reps would call to inquire about an actor submission, they frequently have been told that only non-Caucasian actors would be considered. “Basically 50% of the roles in a pilot have to be ethnic, and the mandate goes all the way down to guest parts,” one talent representative said.

Andreeva believes that the plight of white actors is reverse-racism because more qualified white candidates are being turned away as lesser talented actors who fit to bill to meet the “ethnic” quotas are being chosen.

“Instead of opening the field for actors of any race to compete for any role in a color-blind manner, there has been a significant number of parts designated as ethnic this year, making them off-limits for Caucasian actors,” Andreeva wrote.  She described a pilot in which the top two choices for regular parts were both white, but only one could be offered a position.

Nellie Andreevva said an agent told her, “Basically 50 percent of the roles in a pilot have to be ethnic, and the mandate goes all the way down to guest parts.” Shonda Rhimes clapped back:

1st Reaction:: HELL NO. Lemme take off my earrings, somebody hold my purse! 2nd Reaction: Article is so ignorant I can't even be bothered.

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) March 25, 2015

This was cross-posted from The Hinterland Gazette.