Dame Helen Mirren has broken her silence on the "Jewface" row surrounding her role as Golda Meir in an upcoming biopic about the first female Israeli Prime Minister.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Dame Mirren responded to Maureen Lipman's comments that non-Jewish actors should think twice about taking Jewish roles.
Earlier this year, Dame Lipman told the JC that she was not comfortable with Helen Mirren, who is not Jewish, playing Israeli leader Golda Meir in the forthcoming movie Golda.
“With that I disagree, because the Jewishness of the character is so integral,” said Ms. Lipman, who sees significance in the fact that Meir was Prime Minister of Israel.
She cited Schindler's List actor Sir Ben Kingsley as an example of how actors wouldn't be allowed to play parts outside of their race, saying: “I’m sure Mirren will be marvellous, but it would never be allowed for Ben Kingsley to play Nelson Mandela. You just couldn’t even go there.” she said.
A third dame also became embroiled in the row when Dame Esther Rantzen defended Mirren in a letter to The Times where she insisted that Helen Mirren should be judged on 'her acting not her ethnicity.'
With her new comments, Dame Mirren took a more conciliatory tone, saying: "I do believe it is a discussion that has to be had – it's utterly legitimate,"
However, she also said it raises other questions about ethnicity in casting, saying: "If someone who's not Jewish can't play Jewish, can someone who's Jewish play someone who's not Jewish?" Seemingly targeting Lipman who has played a wide variety of characters over the years, including a reverend in The Vicar of Dibley in 2015.
Dame Mirren also said that she's not been in contact with Lipman, but is open to meeting her to discuss the part, saying: "I very much respect Maureen...And I love her as an actress, absolutely. I'd love to bump into her and sit and have a cup of tea and talk about it"
Read more:
Golda Meir played by Helen Mirren? Safta would have loved it, says leader’s grandson
Esther Rantzen slams fellow Dame Maureen Lipman for her views on 'Jewface' casting
