David Harewood, a renowned actor and star of the hit TV show Homeland, has delved into the works of Charles Dickens, hypothesizing that if the 19th century author were alive today, he would be deeply critical of the Conservative government’s dismantling of the welfare state. In his exploration, Harewood turned 58, Harewood initially declined an offer to work on a documentary series about Dickens’ time in Italy, but after immersing himself in the author’s writings, he noticed striking similarities between the 19th century and the contemporary climate.
David Harewood (Via David Harewood/Twitter)
During his time in Italy, Dickens wrote about the country’s rich history and culture, as well as the poverty and suffering of its people, a theme that resonates deeply with Harewood. He notes that tourists today often overlook the darker aspects of the country’s past, instead taking selfies at famous landmarks like the Colosseum, dedicating little attention to the struggles of the local population. As Harewood traversed Italy, he was struck by the parallels between Dickens’ era and our own, stating that people then, like now, were struggling to make ends meet and were often more concerned with survival than politics. Harewood draws comparisons between Dickens and James Graham, a screenwriter known for his gripping dramas about real characters and situations, believing that Dickens would use his writing to critique the Conservative government’s actions, much like Graham does in his work.
