Helen Mirren admits 'it's difficult' as she addresses Golda casting backlash

03 October 2023 , 10:47

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Helen Mirren admits 'it's difficult' as she addresses Golda casting backlash

The casting of Helen Mirren in new film Golda was seen by some as a controversial move and the Oscar-winner actress addressed the criticism during an appearance on Lorraine.

Mirren, a non-Jewish actress, was cast in a Jewish role as the fourth Prime Minister of Israel, Golda Meir. Despite, Golda's grandson Gideon requesting for Helen to play his grandmother, the casting sparked criticism from Maureen Lipman and David Baddiel, amongst others.

When asked about the backlash by Lorraine, Helen said: "It's very difficult. I love the fact that the whole concept of casting and concept of how we look at drama has been sort of blown out of the water. I think that's fantastic.

"I love the fact that we're just re-examining what drama can be in terms of the people telling the stories. It's a tricky one because anyone playing Golda, the most Jewish person would have to wear prosthetics to look like her because nobody looks like her."

Helen Mirren stars as the fourth Prime Minister of Isreal, Golda Meir (Vertical Entertainment)

The film follows Golda during the 19 days of the Yom Kippur War in October 1973 - five years before she died of lung cancer, aged 80. Golda was born in 1898 before moving to the US as a child and subsequently making history when she became Israel's first female prime minister in 1969.

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She sparked international controversy when she declared: "There were no such thing as Palestinians." Golda faced criticism in Isreal for failing to prepare for war after receiving intelligence that Syrian forces were ready for an attack. Golda announced her resignation in 1974, following the backlash for her handling of the war.

Helen underwent two to three hours of preparation a day to transform into a 75-year-old Golda. She told DeJour magazine: "I’ve never done anything like that before. It was an adventure. I got so used to being that person in the daytime that when the makeup all came off and I saw myself as I am, I’d forgotten that was what I looked like.

"It’s that acting thing—am I becoming her or is she becoming me? There’s a picture the crew made of me and Golda, and we’re in identical outfits. She’s turning to me and saying something, and I’m looking forward with a cigarette. It’s really powerful."

Charlotte McIntyre