Freida Pinto 'reduced to tears' after being confronted over 'black erasure' in Guerilla TV show

Indian actress reportedly left visibly upset after criticism of her casting in new series Guerilla

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Indian actor Freida Pinto was reportedly left in tears after being confronted over the "erasure" of black women in a new TV drama about civil rights in which she stars.

Pinto features alongside Idris Elba in Sky Atlantic drama Guerilla, which tells the story of the Black Power movement in 70s London, and attended a special screening event and live panel on Friday when the confrontation occurred.

But, according to the i newspaper, the Indian actress was said to have become upset on stage as people at the event accused the show's makers of “black erasure” for what they claimed was its failure to properly represent black women.

An audience member told The Sun: “Frieda was left stunned and didn’t know what to do when a barrage of questions came in about why they had cast an Asian lady as a lead character."

Despite these claims, others present at the event have since suggested the tone of the discussion had not been as hostile as first reported.

Activist Wail Qasim said on Twitter: "The questions asked and discussion had was frankly tame."

The series is from12 Years a Slave scribe John Ridley.

Guerilla starts this Thursday on Sky Atlantic with the first of six episodes.