During a recent interview with PBS talk show "Tavis Smiley," English actor Benedict Cumberbatch made a statement about the lack of diversity of actors in the U.K. and referred to black performers as "colored actors."

"I think as far as colored actors go, it gets really different in the U.K., and a lot of my friends have had more opportunities here [in the U.S.] than in the U.K., and that's something that needs to change," Cumberbatch said on the show, according to Time.

Although Cumberbatch acknowledged and attempted to raise awareness on the lack of diversity in acting across the pond, Show Racism The Red Card, an anti-racism charity, slammed Cumberbatch for using the term "colored actors," saying the phrase is "offensive" to African American actors and is also "outdated."

"If [Benedict] was 80, no one would have noticed," Bonnie Greer, a writer for Show Racism The Red Card, added. "Under 60 -- who says 'colored' anymore? It indicates a mindset; a certain circle."

Since the backlash, Cumberbatch has apologized for his distasteful wording in a statement obtained by People.

"I feel the complete fool I am and while I am sorry to have offended people and to learn from my mistakes in such a public manner, please be assured I have," he said. "I apologize again to anyone I offended for this thoughtless use of inappropriate language about an issue which affects friends of mine and which I care about deeply."

The topic of diversity -- or lack thereof -- in Hollywood has been addressed several times during the current award show season.

Most recently, Viola Davis delivered a heartfelt speech about her daughter and being a proud African-American actress and winner at this year's Screen Actors Guild awards. On accepting her win for lead actress in drama "How to Get Away With Murder," Davis thanked the show's producers for thinking "a mysterious woman could be a 49-year-old, dark-skinned, African-American woman who looks like me."

"And thank you to all the people who love me exactly how God made me," Davis added.

Davis' speech about being casted as a dark-skinned woman in a television lead role comes on the heels of controversy surrounding the lack of diversity in Hollywood. Variety reports "not one actor of color was nominated for the upcoming Academy Awards" which has prompted critics, performers and social media users to speak on the need for Hollywood diversity.

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