Was Anne Boylen Black?

[webbo3]

Rewriting history for the sake of diversity, perhaps Davis Jason could play Nelson Mandela.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-film-boleyn/black-actor-turner-smith-to-play-english-queen-anne-boleyn-in-new-drama-idUKKBN27F26W

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/13065809/channel-5-race-row-black-actress-play-anne-boleyn/

[jno]

are you okay with them speaking modern English?

[royfromaus]

It's really shocking how many ABers crank up a snide-fest against you isn't it, andy.

No other ABer seems to get bullied the way you get bullied.

[royfromaus]

Well, that's true...perhaps we could have a poll?

[woofgang]

I read the title and wondered who the hell Anne Boylen is

[Sqad]

BLACK! I couldn't care less,but Mrs sqad is INCENSED.

[aelmpvw]

does that mean that mrs s is going to give the sex and violence a miss and join you watching the soaps?

[Sqad]

all...LOL.. ouch!.

[mushroom25]

fable pictures are missing an inclusivity trick here. why not make Anne Boleyn a trans-woman? obviously there wasn't any transition surgery in the 16th century, so the production company would be able to cast someone like (say) Idris Elba.....

[youngmafbog]

The thing is why do it?


Add to that will it be acceptable the other way round?

Seems someone is trying to deliberately make a stir.

[youngmafbog]

"I'm inclined to agree with those who point out that this is a psychological drama, not History A Level, so really, the ethnicity of the actress should not be an issue - just her ability to play the role."

The problem here is that all too often there are people think dramas are history. Not just in this but in many other things too. Just like they think Coro and East Enders are real.

[andy-hughes]

ymb - // "I'm inclined to agree with those who point out that this is a psychological drama, not History A Level, so really, the ethnicity of the actress should not be an issue - just her ability to play the role."

The problem here is that all too often there are people think dramas are history. Not just in this but in many other things too. Just like they think Coro and East Enders are real. //

You have a point, but if we go down the road of catering always for the hard of thinking, what future will drama on television have?

[allenlondon]

Acting is acting.

It works if the actor makes you FORGET about them, and instead believe in the character.

[andy-hughes]

allen - // Acting is acting.

It works if the actor makes you FORGET about them, and instead believe in the character. //

Absolutely.

As I pointed out, I don;t imagine the audience for Glenda Jackson's Lear sat there constantly thinking "That's a woman, not a man ..." - they simply enjoyed her unique interpretation of the role, being different and challenging, which is what art is all about

Anyone who wants to spend their time viewing this production thinking "She wasn't black ..." is going to have a seriously boring evening.

[AuntPollyGrey]

In Shakespeare's day all the female roles were played by men, so it's not uncommon to set aside realities for theatricals.

This is not a documentary and I can't see any problem what-so-ever in a black actor playing the role. Anne Boleyn was mysterious and captivating and I think a black female could play this role very well.

[rowanwitch]

I'm with Allen on this one, a dying a role is about making the audience believe in the character, I couldn't even act the part of a fat old woman Although I am one, yet many male actors have made convincing women, skin colour is only depth of a pigment so why should it affect her ability to portray the role. Presumably she had to audition and it may be it was a casting director thinking it would be an interesting experiment, but it might be she was the best of the actresses who tried for the part.

[rowanwitch]

Playing a role

[andy-hughes]

APG - // In Shakespeare's day all the female roles were played by men, so it's not uncommon to set aside realities for theatricals.

This is not a documentary and I can't see any problem what-so-ever in a black actor playing the role. Anne Boleyn was mysterious and captivating and I think a black female could play this role very well. //

I entirely agree - a little artistic licence is what keeps art fresh and interesting.

Perhaps those who balk at the ethnicity of the actress on the basis of 'accuracy' would like the entire production lit by rush torches, so no-one can see what's going on?