BBC branded 'stupid' over controversial decision to cast black and minority-ethnic actors

[pellinore]

The BBC will continue to produce material which shows Black and ethnic minority actors playing key roles- historical figures such as Henry the Eighth, Leonardo da Vinci, Owen Glendower, Queen Elizabeth and more recent figures such as Albert Einstein and Winston Churchill will be open to all actors whatever their ethnic background. 

The BBC is facing a backlash over its 'jaw-achingly stupid' decision to cast black and ethnic-minority actors in historical drama Wolf Hall.

The Mirror and the Light, the TV adaptation of the final book in Dame Hilary's Wolf Hall trilogy, broadcasts on BBC1 on Sunday, with several black actors in 'very significant roles'.

Starring alongside Mark Rylance's Thomas Cromwell and Damian Lewis's Henry VIII, is Jane Seymour's mother, Lady Margery, who is played by Sarah Priddy, a British-born actress of mixed heritage, while Nan Seymour, Jane's sister-in-law, is played by Cecilia Appiah.

Maisie Richardson-Sellers, a London-born actress of Guyanese heritage, plays Lady Bess Oughtred. Egyptian-British actor Amir El-Masry appears as poet and politician Thomas Wyatt.

BBC branded 'jaw-achingly stupid' over controversial decision to cast black and minority-ethnic actors in anticipated final series of Tudor period drama Wolf Hall | Daily Mail Online

Edited November 10 by pellinore

[Mr.UFO]

Jesus Christ is always played by white actors, even though he's from Israel and probably didn't have white skin.

[Kenemet]

Apparently they never watched any production of "Hamilton" here in the US.

I am pretty sure that Wolf Hall is a work of fiction, not a documentary.

[MissJatti]

Nobody had problems when white/caucasian actors played native americans in movies from the 50s 60s 70s

[itsnotoutthere]

So, is 'cultural appropriation' a good thing now? I can't keep up.

Edited November 11 by itsnotoutthere

[+OverSword]

4 hours ago, MissJatti said:

Nobody had problems when white/caucasian actors played native americans in movies from the 50s 60s 70s

I did.  Chuck Connors and his bright blue eyes as Geronimo?  Refused to watch that as a kid.

[itsnotoutthere]

Yes Ironically Jeff Chandler (my mum named me after him...her fav.) played a cowboy & he was native indian.

[+OverSword]

Just now, itsnotoutthere said:

Yes Ironically Jeff Chandler (my mum named me after him...her fav.) played a cowboy & he was native indian.

I'm sure there were plenty of natives working as cowboys.

[itsnotoutthere]

3 minutes ago, OverSword said:

I'm sure there were plenty of natives working as cowboys.

[itsnotoutthere]