Should Anne Boleyn be played by a black actress ?

FannyCornforth

DiscoDancer I don't think that you have understood my post.
And your dog analogy is a bit 'yuck'.
'End of' indeed.

Please do explain it then. Perhaps a better analogy would be, a white person representing Michael Jackson, in a film about his life. Sorry if the ‘dogs’ offended you. It was all I could think of to make the point, without repeating what others have said. Eg. Michelle Obama or Oprah Winfrey, being represented by white women. It’s obviously trying to be politically correct, and does no service to anyone.

It’s not supposed to be a painstakingly accurate historical reenactment, though. It’s prime time ‘dra-mah’ fodder with a faint veneer of being based on consensus historical facts. It’s basically fanfiction, which is absolutely fine. Why does it matter who plays her as long as they are a good actor? The guy playing Henry isn’t even proper ginger, if we’re bothered about physical resemblance.

Well I like things to be ‘ real’ too. Even in fiction like Downton Abbey. I know they’re not representing real people, but it is real times, and to get really immersed in something, it has to be accurate. That’s just me though.

The historical dramas of today do seem to be sexed up with no attempt at realism, just to make them entertaining for today's audiences. Fair enough, as long as young people realise they are complete nonsense.
I'd prefer to see some effort at realism and historical detail, including the appearance of real characters like Anne and Henry, the correct age, hair colour, race.
Take The Crown, they have tried to get actors who bear some likeness to the real people, and have added clothing, hairstyles etc. as worn by the real person. Would you have a black actor playing Diana in The Crown? It would not ring true.
Glenda Jackson in Elizabeth R played her from young queen to old age and they nailed her from start to finish! It was totally believable. You would never get that today.

Good comments Chestnut.

What about Cate Blanchett?

I thought Cate Blanchett was a very believable as Elizabeth. Glenda Jackson shaved her forehead and eyebrows to get the authentic Tudor look. With this latest version of Anne Boleyn I would be just as unhappy if she was played by a plump little actor with blue eyes and blonde curls. It just goes against all the descriptions we have of her. I wonder if they will bother much with other historical facts or will it just be "What might have happened"

Deedaa

I thought Cate Blanchett was a very believable as Elizabeth. Glenda Jackson shaved her forehead and eyebrows to get the authentic Tudor look. With this latest version of Anne Boleyn I would be just as unhappy if she was played by a plump little actor with blue eyes and blonde curls. It just goes against all the descriptions we have of her. I wonder if they will bother much with other historical facts or will it just be "What might have happened"

Would there be at least two threads foaming at the mouth about a 'plunp' actress; or a 'blue eyed' actess: or even a 'short' actress portraying Anne? And with curly hair?!
Oh, give over. If you are going to be racist, at least own it

Apologies- I realise that you were referring to Elizabeth I, not AB, but I still stand by my argument

Fanny please don’t you start playing the ‘racist’ card as well,
Deedaa is quite right, and nobody is ‘foaming at the mouth just disagreeing that somebody who is nothing remotely like the description of Anne Boleyn should not be playing the part.
That rules out a blonde actor, or a fat one or an old one or a really very plain one.

The production team will be loving all the chat about their strange choice though.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202105/medium-94523-8be50c6e-f1b8-411b-b78c-159bb8b03252.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202105/medium-573992-39cea075-bf68-4e34-ba5d-0bebc276901a.jpeg

Oh no! Now it may be racist to say that a real, not imaginary, white person is more appropriately represented by a white person.
I wonder how the arguments would go the other way round, e.g. children being taught about Mary Seacole (right above) and being shown her as a white woman.
Here’s an example of ‘it doesn’t matter’. Hermione Granger in The Cursed Child was played by Noma Dumezweni. Since JKR described her as having bushy hair, the actress was perfect for the part.
Re Ann Boleyn: If your opinion is that it doesn’t matter, then to you, it doesn’t matter, but it doesn’t make it right.
If in your opinion it does matter that should be factually accurate it doesn’t make you racist. As the cry often is on here, “show me the evidence”, so I’ve provided images.

discodancer Loved the dog analogy- it made me chuckle.

I think it is the quality of the acting, not the colour of the actor’s skin that is relevant.

Yet again we have an example of a black person whose story is about being black being used as though it were a parallel to a story that is not about colour.

If your picture of AB is supposed to be evidence, it may be better to point out that it was painted long after her death. Henry had all paintings of her destroyed, along with her personal artefacts.

I just feel the whole thing is patronising to black people. It’s clearly about ticking boxes, and while this black actress may be very good, she’s not been chosen for that reason.
There are so many films/ dramas etc, where black people would be the only choice, as in the examples people have already given.
Years ago...my daughters went to see ‘ Les Miserables’ in the West End. One of the characters, Eponine I think, changed from a white child to a black woman! People left apparently, and wanted refunds. My daughters stayed, but it spoilt it for them. Totally unnecessary and ridiculous, and this was before the ‘ absolutely everything we say and do is racist’ thing started.
It’s such a shame, and it’s spoiling things for everyone.

This is why we have a ‘ casting department’. The whole point is to find people who are right for certain roles in a film or drama. I’m sure many people have been turned down for acting jobs, because they’re not right for that part. There would be loads of things to consider, the appearance just being one of them.

And so it goes on. Doodledog I’m so sorry the painting was done later.
Do you think it would be appropriate to show a video of the Mary Seacole where she is portrayed by a white person?
Yes or No.
Mind you, I suppose you, having less interest in fact, would dismiss it as not about the colour of the person but about nursing in the time of the Crimean War. It’s a useful get-out idea.

Toadinthehole

I just feel the whole thing is patronising to black people. It’s clearly about ticking boxes, and while this black actress may be very good, she’s not been chosen for that reason.
There are so many films/ dramas etc, where black people would be the only choice, as in the examples people have already given.
Years ago...my daughters went to see ‘ Les Miserables’ in the West End. One of the characters, Eponine I think, changed from a white child to a black woman! People left apparently, and wanted refunds. My daughters stayed, but it spoilt it for them. Totally unnecessary and ridiculous, and this was before the ‘ absolutely everything we say and do is racist’ thing started.
It’s such a shame, and it’s spoiling things for everyone.

I really am speechless.

That will be a first then Aleg ?

Spot on chestnut.

OK, got my breath back.

I just feel the whole thing is patronising to black people. It’s clearly about ticking boxes, and while this black actress may be very good, she’s not been chosen for that reason.
You have no idea why she was chosen and are assuming political correctness because that is the easy way not to have to face the real issues.

There are so many films/ dramas etc, where black people would be the only choice, as in the examples people have already given.
Code for "These black people should know their place. Coming over here, stealing our roles."

Eponine was an outcast and ages in the story (book, musical, film) from being a child to being a young woman, and in the musical sings one of the best songs ever about unrequited love. It doesn't matter one shiny **** what colour she is. The people who left because of this are ignorant philistines who didn't deserve their money back.

No, it’s spoiling things for everyone. No, its spoiling it for you. The rest of us are grown ups. Live with it.

Brava Alegrias!!! ??

Alegrias1

OK, got my breath back.

I just feel the whole thing is patronising to black people. It’s clearly about ticking boxes, and while this black actress may be very good, she’s not been chosen for that reason.
You have no idea why she was chosen and are assuming political correctness because that is the easy way not to have to face the real issues.

There are so many films/ dramas etc, where black people would be the only choice, as in the examples people have already given.
Code for "These black people should know their place. Coming over here, stealing our roles."

Eponine was an outcast and ages in the story (book, musical, film) from being a child to being a young woman, and in the musical sings one of the best songs ever about unrequited love. It doesn't matter one shiny **** what colour she is. The people who left because of this are ignorant philistines who didn't deserve their money back.

No, it’s spoiling things for everyone. No, its spoiling it for you. The rest of us are grown ups. Live with it.

What a nasty response. I’m entitled to my opinion as you are yours. I have black friends, and I’m repeating the kind of thing they have said.
You seem to need to be an authority on everything, and I’m not slating you for that. You live with it!

Please tell me you didn't just write "Some of my best friends are black".