As a special new year's treat for "Keep British fictional characters white" malcontents...

https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/diverse-dickens-rips-up-the-rules-of-costume-drama-more-news-69134/



"Diverse Dickens will ‘rip up the rules’ of costume drama
The new big-screen adaptation of Dickens’ classic novel David Copperfield will “rip up the rules” of costume drama, says writer and director Armando Iannucci. The Personal History Of David Copperfield premiered in Toronto earlier this year and had its first European screening at the London Film Festival this week. Starring a diverse cast led by Dev Patel, the film also features British East Asian actor Benedict Wong, British-Nigerian Nikki Amuka-Bird and the feature film debut of Rosalind Eleazar.

Speaking at the festival, Iannucci and producer Kevin Loader addressed the diverse casting of the film, saying they wanted to “rip up the rules” of period drama casting, adding that Dev Patel was their only choice for the main role. Loader said: “Once he’s your only candidate for David Copperfield, certain things flow,” adding that casting decisions were also intended to reflect the true diversity of Victorian London. Iannucci said among the current debate about “what Britain is and what it is not,” he wanted “to celebrate what I think Britain is, which is something more lively and vibrant.” "

Having just enjoyed Iannucci's dark satire "Death of Stalin"
where none of the historic characters have Russian accents,
this might be a Dickens adaptation to look forward to...