Gillian Anderson fans are conflicted about her casting as Margaret Thatcher in season four of The Crown.
The actress, who famously played Agent Dana Scully in The X Files, said she is excited to have the opportunity to play “such a complicated and controversial woman” and described Thatcher as an “icon”.
That last part was particularly problematic for some fans.
Gillian Anderson will play Margaret Thatcher in The Crown Season Four, now in production. https://t.co/OVCO8o2bVk— The Crown (@The Crown) 1567858538
When asked about the role by the Guardian, Anderson added:
I haven’t quite figured out how to talk about her yet.
To a certain degree, it’s very helpful for an actor, at least in my experience, to slightly fall in love with the character you’re playing, regardless of what your opinion might be of them, if it’s a historical character, particularly. So I have.
For context, Anderson has a large following in the LGBT+ community and has previously spoken about being in same-sex relationships.
However, Thatcher introduced Section 28 – a since-removed clause in the Local Government Act 1988 that banned local authorities from intentionally “promoting homosexuality”.
Some of Anderson’s fans understandably didn’t know how to feel about the actress saying she was excited to “fall in love” with Thatcher…
Every lesbian I know is in crisis over the Gillian Anderson/Thatcher news.— public universal foe (@public universal foe) 1567928330
“Falling in love with the icon” https://t.co/dYrNoSFrNy— Ciara McShane (@Ciara McShane) 1567859894
Very much looking forward to being able to use the line "I haven't felt this sexually conflicted since they cast Gi… https://t.co/Jd5jfAoinB— Roisin Kenny (@Roisin Kenny) 1567863145
Others simply objected to the idea of someone hot playing the controversial former Conservative prime minister.
DON’T MAKE ME FANCY THATCHER https://t.co/4Smek9sZDE— Mitch Benn 🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@Mitch Benn 🇬🇧🇪🇺) 1567862513
However, Anderson’s decision had some supporters who defended her right to play a divisive historical figure.
how are y’all “”cancelling”” gillian anderson for portraying a politician you don’t like..... margaret thatcher is… https://t.co/3xWVNTpDmW— luce (@luce) 1567870710
When Gillian Anderson plays Thatcher: “I just don’t know how I’m supposed to support her still when she’s playing s… https://t.co/9Od8SAYOtT— Tina Wargo 🚺 (@Tina Wargo 🚺) 1567874293
Regardless of your thoughts on Thatcher, Anderson is set to join a stellar cast for the show’s fourth season – alongside Olivia Colman (as Queen Elizabeth II) and Helena Bonham Carter (as Princess Margaret).
HT: Twitter Moments