The makers of hit TV show the White Lotus have dropped actor Miloš Biković from the upcoming series after criticism from Ukraine over the Serbian native’s ties to Russia.

Biković, who was cast for the third season of the award-winning dark comedy just weeks ago, has protested against HBO’s decision as “the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art”.

A spokesperson for the network, asked by AFP for comment, said on Saturday only that “we have decided to part ways with Milos Biković and the role will be recast”.

Archive

  • AutoTL;DRB
    link
    English
    310 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:


    The makers of hit TV show the White Lotus have dropped actor Miloš Biković from the upcoming series after criticism from Ukraine over the Serbian native’s ties to Russia.

    Biković, who was cast for the third season of the award-winning dark comedy just weeks ago, has protested against HBO’s decision as “the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art”.

    A spokesperson for the network, asked by AFP for comment, said on Saturday only that “we have decided to part ways with Milos Biković and the role will be recast”.

    When HBO originally announced the casting of Biković on 12 January, the Ukrainian foreign ministry made its displeasure clear.

    Posting on social media platform X, it said the actor had “been supporting Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion” of Ukraine.

    Filming of the third season of Emmy-winner The White Lotus will begin in Thailand this month, with the show set to air in 2025, Variety reported.


    The original article contains 338 words, the summary contains 158 words. Saved 53%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!

  • realcaseyrollins
    link
    fedilink
    -710 months ago

    I’m a bit torn on this. I’m against cancel culture and it’s a shame that his political positions are making it harder for him to find work.

    At the same time, I can see why strongly aligning with Russia might cause tension between him and other members of the cast, making this by far the easiest decision to take.

    • @BossDj@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      110 months ago

      The phrase “cancel culture” itself is nonsense. That’s why down votes. People have been boycotting things forever. Both sides for whatever reasons. People getting rejected by society? Same. It’s just easier to find out about now, and the unacceptable behaviors are getting more inclusive

      • realcaseyrollins
        link
        fedilink
        010 months ago

        It’s not nonsense necessarily, just happens to be disliked by the ideology that’s prevalent on Lemmy. I ain’t mad, I know what I’m getting into by being here 🤷🏾‍♂️

        People have certainly been “canceled” historically, but being shunned for, say, committing violent or sexual crimes, not necessarily checks notes liking a country.

        I’m not seeing any evidence in the article that Milos supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although if he does, then I could understand shunning him much like how folks were likely shunned in Western societies for supporting Germany’s invasions of foreign countries (except for Nazi scientists ofc)

        • @BossDj@lemm.ee
          link
          fedilink
          110 months ago

          Fair. So to clarify, he has outright advocated for Russian invasion since Crimea. Was awarded a medal from Putin and honorary Russian citizenship for doing so

          • realcaseyrollins
            link
            fedilink
            010 months ago

            Ah, I see. I didn’t see that in the article and am not familiar with the actor either.