By Sally Shakkour
British actress and model Jodie Turner-Smith was picked to lead a role in a new series about Anne Boleyn, who was the Queen of England from 1533 to 1536 and the second wife of King Henry VIII.
‘Queen & Slim’ star is likely to perform in a three-part drama as she will represent the feminist insight into the historical figure's life. The series is set to be aired on UK broadcaster Channel 5.
Jodie Turner-Smith To Play Anne Boleyn In Convention-Defying Channel 5 Series From Sony-Backed Fable Pics https://t.co/sTGHOns0Bv
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) October 30, 2020
Turner-Smith said about the role: "I am so excited to join these exciting filmmakers in bringing the story of one of history’s most controversial queens to the screen."
After the announcement, Jodie received thousands of comments on social media as some users decried the producers’ choice claiming that Queen Anne Boleyn was a white woman and the chosen actress’ skin color is black.
Channel 5 has sparked a race row after casting black actress Jodie Turner-Smith as Queen Anne Boleyn in a new period drama. Ann Boleyn was white. What would happen if a white woman played Rosa Parks. There would be howls of outrage. This Rewriting of history has GOT to stop. pic.twitter.com/mRE5JRpijv
— Dr James Kent (@DrJamesKent3) October 30, 2020
Wonder how the lib-left would react if Laurence Fox was cast to play George Floyd in an upcoming biopic... ?https://t.co/2NVyAriGbm
— Mark Vipond (@MarkVipond) November 1, 2020
Does anybody else see the problem with Jodie Turner-Smith playing the part of Anne Boleyn? pic.twitter.com/m0zhSBGcD1
— Jayson Rigby (@JaysonRigby) October 30, 2020
However, not all comments were negative as a lot of people have shown their support for Jodie Turner-Smith and the producers demanding more cultural diversity in T.V. shows and movies as well as users have denounced stereotype ideas and restricted roles.
To everyone freaking out about the prospect of a black actor playing Anne Boleyn, just a gentle reminder that first BAME woman to play Anne was back in 1933 - by Merle Oberon who was of Indian/ Polynesian descent - and like Jodie Turner-Smith undoubtedly will, she totally rocked. pic.twitter.com/R7PonWdrfF
— Dr Owen Emmerson (@MOwenEmmerson) October 30, 2020
Jodie Turner-Smith is to play Tudor Queen Anne Boleyn in a British TV series, but has received criticism for playing a white historical figure.
— UkFour (@UkFour) November 2, 2020
Hollywood has a long history of casting white actors to play POC characters including Johnny Depp and Emma St… pic.twitter.com/PwNybkemnX pic.twitter.com/eknsKE713v
Jodie Turner-Smith is going to play Anne Boleyn and I have never felt more blessed pic.twitter.com/g5m0PHvZdC
— ?BU? (@TortugaH0e) October 30, 2020
The mini-series, written by Eve Hedderwick Turner and produced by Fable Pictures, is set to view Queen Anne’s perspective and explore her struggles to stay alive, secure her daughter's future and challenge the patriarchy as her execution looms.
Never the less, despite all mixed reactions about the series and the role, both Jodie and director Lynsey Miller are still passionate about bringing the story to life!
'The legend of this formidable queen and fierce mother will be seen as a deeply human story that is still so relevant for today,' Turner-Smith also added.
I wonder if people who are up in arms about Jodie Turner-Smith being cast as Anne Boleyn feel the same way about Christ constantly being portrayed as a white man?
— Katy (@KatyJayne101) October 30, 2020
British Actress and model Jodie Turner-Smith, who was born on September 7, 1986, has played great roles in huge movies such as “The Last Ship (2017), Nightflyers (2018), and Queen & Slim (2019)”.
