Joseph Fiennes Reflects on His Controversial Casting as Michael Jackson in “Urban Myths” Episode, Acknowledging It as a “Bad Mistake

Joseph Fiennes, the actor best known for his role in the 1998 film “Shakespeare in Love”, has expressed regret over his decision to portray Michael Jackson in a 2017 episode of the British anthology series “Urban Myths”. The episode was never aired in its entirety, but the trailer sparked outrage due to Fiennes’ lighter skin tone and prosthetic nose.

In an interview with The Guardian published Sunday, Fiennes said, “I think people are absolutely right to be upset.” He went on to acknowledge that he was only one part of the decision-making process, noting that producers, broadcasters, writers, and directors were all involved. “But obviously if I’m upfront, I have become the voice for [the backlash],” he said.

The controversy surrounding Fiennes’ casting as Jackson is part of a larger conversation about whitewashing in Hollywood. The practice of casting white actors in non-white roles has been widely criticized, and many have called for more diverse casting in film and television.

Fiennes now views his casting as “a bad mistake”, and hopes that his experience will encourage others to be more mindful of the roles they take on. “It’s a learning curve,” he said. “And I’m learning from it.”

The episode of “Urban Myths” featuring Fiennes as Michael Jackson has not been released, and it is unclear if it will ever be aired. In the meantime, Fiennes’ comments serve as a reminder of the importance of thoughtful casting decisions in the entertainment industry.