Hollywood actor and Streatham resident David Harewood has been recognised in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

The Blood Diamond star has been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to drama.

On receiving the commendation, he said: “I was chuffed. I was very honoured to be recognised for the work I have done. Coming from where I have come from it was great.”

Mr Harewood, 46, who lives in the borough with his wife and their two daughters, began his acting career working on relatively low budget television and theatre productions.

He started to make a name for himself as a police sergeant in ITV’s cop drama The Vice between 1999 and 2003, then went on to act in bigger productions such as 2004’s The Merchant of Venice.

He is currently starring in the American television drama series Homeland as David Estes, the Director of the CIA’s Counterterrorism Centre.

But the Birmingham born actor feels there is still a lot to do in the promotion of black actors in Britain.

“I am slightly conflicted because although it is a great honour [receiving the MBE], I still feel there is a hell of a lot of work to be done here,” he said. “As an actor, many of my counterparts have to go to America to get really good roles. It was exciting to be in America. One sees just how visible black people are in all arenas.

“Looking at the television schedule over the Christmas period I did not see many black faces in dramas.

“It is good that we have made huge advances since I came out of drama school, but I hope others can progress further.”

Other Lambeth residents to receive an MBE from the Queen include Linda May Phillips, founder of the Roots and Shoots youth programme in Kennington, for her services to young people.

Ms Phillips set up the charity in 1982 and works to provide vocational training for young people across the borough and in neighbouring Southwark.