Val Boreland

Boreland’s role expanded in the past year to oversee content strategy and acquisitions across all of NBCUniversal’s cable portfolio. Under her purview, Boreland has expanded each network’s reach with more cross promotion and shared programming. She’s also been busy securing content deals for Peacock, including “Yellowstone” and “The Office,” which she credits as career highlights. Diverse programming is important to Boreland, and in the past year SYFY expanded to include multiplatform content around moments such as Women’s History, Black History and Pride Months. “There is always room for improvement, especially behind the camera, but worlds based in fantasy have more easily embraced the concept of casting people of color and/or women in roles not originally written in that direction,” she says.

The conversation about racial injustice in 2020 has been… happening for decades but is finally being heard, and needs to continue in order to fix injustices that have been taking place far too long. 

In what ways can companies best show a sincere commitment to diversity and inclusion?
Diversity in this industry is not something that can be fixed overnight and cannot be something we forget in a year. The most important thing companies can do is to push their diversity and inclusion initiatives from the very top. That is the only way it will be embraced and prioritized.

Which current shows (on linear and streaming) best embrace diversity?
I have found that science fiction has always been a strong player in casting diverse talent. Shows like “The Walking Dead,” “Wynonna Earp,” “The Runaways,” “The Expanse” and “Black Mirror” are some current examples. There is always room for improvement, especially behind the camera, but worlds based in fantasy have more easily embraced the concept of casting people of color and/or women in roles not originally written in that direction.

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