As a seasoned theater-goer and film enthusiast with decades of diverse experiences under my belt, I wholeheartedly support Lennie James‘ stance on this matter. In the grand scheme of art and entertainment, I firmly believe that roles should be awarded to the most capable actor, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Lennie James is against any broad restrictions that prevent heterosexual actors from portraying LGBTQ+ characters in movies or theater productions.
In the BBC series “Mr Loverman,” an actor portrays Barrington Jedidiah Walker, a man in his seventies hiding his homosexuality who has maintained a long-term romantic relationship with his close friend Morris (Ariyon Bakare), which he’s kept hidden from his wife for many decades.
In the latter part of his life, and amidst a turbulent phase in his marriage with Carmel (played by Sharon D Clarke), he begins to contemplate if it’s appropriate to reveal his true identity to her and the world at last.
James, who isn’t gay himself, was deemed the most suitable candidate for the role by author Bernardine Evaristo, known for her work “Mr Loverman.
Both spoke about the casting decision in the latest edition of TopMob magazine.
Evaristo expressed an opinion that might be seen as contentious, stating that the ideal choice for a role should always be the most talented actor for the part.
As the author, I aim for the book to be in the hands of someone capable of portraying the role, regardless of their sexual orientation.
James stated: “I feel it’s a discussion that should occur, yet as an actor, I’m not a supporter of total prohibitions. When I spoke with the team at Fable Productions, my initial query was: ‘Are you absolutely certain you want me for this role?’
“I won’t spend too much time explaining why I chose this particular approach for Barrington’s portrayal. There are numerous factors at play, and some personal touches I’ve added likely contribute to making the character feel more alive.
He added: “I know it’s going to be an ongoing conversation. But if I felt I was doing a disservice, I would have ruled myself out. This is a character that any actor who could qualify would do his damnedest to play. And that’s what I did.”
Lately, there’s been a lot of discussion about whether it’s fair for non-LGBTQ+ actors to portray LGBTQ+ characters on screen, or if these roles should be given only to actors who identify as LGBTQ+ in their real lives.
Showrunner Russell T Davies is known for expressing strong opinions against having straight actors play LGBTQ+ characters, while Andrew Scott and Neil Patrick Harris are among those who have shown some reservations about fully endorsing such a strict policy.
You can read more from James and Evaristo in this week’s TopMob.
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Mr Loverman premieres on Monday 14th October at 9pm and 9:30pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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2024-10-07 23:34