Australian actor Cate Blanchett has weighed in on the debate surrounding straight actors playing LGBTIQ+ roles, saying that she believes performers shouldn't be limited to their own experiences.
Speaking during a Q&A at the Rome Film Festival last week, Blanchett, who played a the titular role in Carol, said: "I will fight to the death for the right to suspend disbelief and play roles beyond my experience."
She continued: "Reality television and all that that entails had an extraordinary impact, a profound impact on the way we view the creation of character."
"I think it provides a lot of opportunity, but the downside of it is that we now, particularly in America, we expect and only expect people to make a profound connection to a character when it's close to their experience."
The comments came months after it was announced that Scarlett Johansson had been cast to play trans-masculine 1970s Pittsburgh crime boss Dante "Tex" Gill in a film about his life.
Social media users were quick to express their disappointment, pointing out that the role could have been a great opportunity for an emerging trans actor.
Johansson eventually withdrew from the film.
