No roles for Homeland star Harewood

Homeland star David Harewood has spoken of his disappointment at not having "a single audition" since returning to the UK six months ago - despite the success of the conspiracy thriller.

The Birmingham-born actor plays a CIA boss in the hit US drama, which President Barack Obama has named as his favourite programme.

But despite the series' high profile, the 46-year-old actor said he had spent the last six months out of work.

Harewood, who has previously said he thinks black actors stand a better chance of finding work in the United States, said: "I'm looking forward to seeing what comes up next year because I've been back six months now and I haven't really done anything, which is a bit scary. There really aren't the roles for me here. I haven't had a single audition."

The actor, who was made an MBE for services to drama in the 2012 New Year's Honours, said he did not think there were enough leading roles for black actors in the UK.

Speaking at a preview screening for the finale of Homeland, he said: "I'm a big old leading actor and as a black actor, there are very few roles for me to slot into so that's been a bit disappointing.

He said ITV had offered him a minor role in a drama, but that it had not appealed to him.

However, he said he was thrilled with the reception Homeland has had in the UK - which he credits in part to its screening on terrestrial Channel 4 - and that keeping the plot under wraps has been difficult.

He said: "I've not even told my mother. After every episode my mum rings me and goes, 'Ooohhhh.. what's going on?' I say, 'Mum, I'm not saying anything'."

The first series of Homeland, which also stars fellow Briton Damian Lewis, and Claire Danes, comes to an end in a feature-length episode this Sunday on Channel 4.