The BBC has released a statement responding to viewer complaints after a recent episode of Silent Witness sparked major backlash.
The new series of the acclaimed crime drama continued on Monday, with Lace Akpojaro and Jude Cudjoe reprising their roles as Roy and Leo.
In the episode, the first of a two-part story, Roy confronts his nephew Leo after he is seen talking to a concerned family member.
Roy asked Leo, “Who is Whitey?” and his nephew replied, “Kevin.” He's my aunt's boyfriend. He likes to think he cares about me.'
The insult sparked outrage among many viewers, who took to social media to question BBC bosses' decision to include her in the episode.
The BBC has released a statement responding to viewer complaints after a recent episode of Silent Witness sparked major backlash
In the episode, the first of a two-part story, Roy confronts his nephew Leo after he is seen talking to a concerned family member
However, fans were outraged that the character used the word “Whitey” during the scene and flocked to social media to denigrate the show.
One tweeted: “Isn't that racist? Personally I wouldn't say the equivalent to a person of color as I feel it would be racist towards them.”
A second wrote: “BBC, why do you think it was right for a black person to call a white person 'Whitey' on last night's show?”
“How tiring is the one-sided racism in these woke shows?” posted a third.
A fourth commented: “@Ofcom I think you should investigate the use of 'whitey' as it's really racist and I find it completely unacceptable?”
The BBC has now released a statement on the matter, saying: “Silent Witness is an established fictional drama series set in the modern world.”
“The dialogue used was in keeping with this character, who is not portrayed in a sympathetic light.
“Roy Lock is an antagonist who uses threats and intimidation. “He has convictions for Class A drugs, theft by menacing, human trafficking and GBH and has spent nine years in prison.”
Roy asked Leo, “Who is Whitey?” and his nephew replied, “Kevin.” He's my aunt's boyfriend. He likes to think he cares about me.
The insult sparked outrage among many viewers, who took to social media to question BBC bosses' decision to include her in the episode
“Silent Witness” is no stranger to controversy. In a poorly timed episode, the show's killers attempt to murder their victims with a deadly gas, in a scene similar to the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith.
The episode's plot saw a university professor accused of murdering some of his “woke” critics after claiming he was passed over for a promotion because of his “triggering” comments.
But in a dramatic twist, it turns out that two of the professor's henchmen are behind the murders and later kidnap two other students who they believe are trying to get him fired from the university.
The murderers then tie both of them to chairs before placing a gas mask with a supply of nitrous oxide attached around one of the women's heads to suffocate her.
He then turns on the valve and releases the gas before putting another mask on the second woman. But seconds later, the protagonist of the series, Dr. Nikki Alexander and her colleague Jack Hodgson entered the room and put an end to their evil plan.
The scene bears shocking parallels to the real-life execution of convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was executed by nitrogen hypoxia for the first time in history on Thursday.
The 58-year-old had a firefighter's mask placed over his face as he was strapped to a stretcher in an execution chamber at William C. Holman Prison in Atmore, Alabama.
Smith was 22 years old when he was first arrested for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett.
He was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting to the contract killing of the pastor's wife, who was beaten and stabbed.
“Silent Witness” is no stranger to controversy. In one episode, the killers attempt to murder victims with a deadly gas, in a scene similar to the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith
The scene bears shocking parallels to the real-life execution of convicted murderer Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was executed by nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday
Experts had said he would be unconscious within seconds of inhaling the gas – but it took up to seven minutes before he passed out and another 15 before he was pronounced dead.
After the gas began flowing into his mask at 7:53 p.m., the inmate smiled, nodded to his family and signed “I love you.”
Smith made a heart sign to his wife, Deanna, with his left hand before declaring, “Tonight, Alabama causes humanity to take a step back… I walk with love, peace and light.”
But soon Smith was struggling against the straps, panting, panting loudly and also trying to hold his breath to avoid inhaling the nitrogen through a mask that covered his entire face.
There was no doctor present in the chamber, but one arrived at the end and pronounced him dead at 8:16 p.m. – just over 22 minutes after the execution began.