Network Pulls Show That Cast White Actor as Michael Jackson Following Backlash
European television network Sky Arts has pulled an episode of their forthcoming Urban Myths anthology series featuring a white actor portraying Michael Jackson.
The series, which will be broadcast in England, features an episode in its upcoming season with Joseph Fiennes as Jackson, Stockard Channing as Elizabeth Taylor and Brian Cox as Marlon Brando.
The episode featured the three stars driving across the country to flee New York City following the 9/11 attacks.
On Friday, Sky Arts took to Twitter to release a statement citing concerns from the Jackson family as to why they pulled the episode, saying they “never intended to cause any offense.”
@SkyArts 1/4 We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon, a 30min episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths series.
— Sky Arts (@SkyArts) January 13, 2017
@SkyArts 2/4 This decision was taken in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson’s immediate family.
— Sky Arts (@SkyArts) January 13, 2017
@SkyArts 3/4 We set out to take a light-hearted look at reportedly true events & never intended to cause any offence.
— Sky Arts (@SkyArts) January 13, 2017
@SkyArts 4/4 Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision.
— Sky Arts (@SkyArts) January 13, 2017
On Wednesday, the late King of Pop’s daughter, Paris, 18, vented her anger at the show on Twitter.
“I’m so incredibly offended by it, as i’m sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit,” she wrote, responding to a fan who asked how she felt about the series.
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The “Black or White” singer’s nephew, Taj, the son of Tito, also tweeted his frustration, saying: “Unfortunately this is what my family has to deal with. No words could express the blatant disrespect.”
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