All white cast for First Fleet drama

The creators of a seven-part BBC drama series about the arrival of the first fleet in Sydney have defended their decision not to include any Indigenous cast members.

(BBC)

The BBC drama Banished, which is filmed partly in Sydney, has drawn big TV audiences in the UK.

But the series, which is plainly aimed at an British audience, has also raised eyebrows over its decision not to include any Indigenous people.

Co-producer Jimmy McGovern has defended the decision, telling Fairfax it was crucial to get the portrayal of Indigenous characters right.

"The time-frame in Banished is very short – something just over two weeks – and there is not sufficient time to develop and do justice to Indigenous characters. Hopefully if there's another series there would be time to collaborate and get any representation right,” he said.

The drama starrs David Wenham as Governor Arthur Phillip, as well as Russell Tovey (Being Human), MyAnna Buring (Ripper Street) and Ryan Corr (Wolf Creek 2).

The series will not screen in Australia until June.