Eddie Redmayne Regrets His Role In ‘The Danish Girl’

Eddie Redmayne addressed the controversy that followed his 2015 Oscar-nominated role, The Danish Girl, claiming his decision to play the transgender role in the drama was a ‘mistake’. The Danish Girl, directed by Tom Hooper, chronicles the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first individuals to undergo a gender reassignment surgery. Although Redmayne was highly-praised for his performance, many critics argued the role belonged to trans actor, CNN reports.

Redmayne claimed that the criticism was justified. Despite his best intentions, accepting the role was a “mistake” and he wouldn’t have taken it if it were offered today. The actor spoke to the Sunday Times amidst his preparation for a new West End Production.

“No, I wouldn’t take it on now,” the 39-year-old star said, adding: “The bigger discussion about the frustrations around casting is because many people don’t have a chair at the table. There must be a leveling, otherwise we are going to carry on having these debates.”

Redmayne will embark on the role of Emcee in Cabaret. He asked critics to refrain from judging his decision to take a role often played by LGBT actors. “Of all the characters I’ve ever read, this one defies pigeonholing. I would ask people to come and see it before casting judgment,” he said.

Cabaret will open at London’s Playhouse Theatre on December 12.