Dame Helen Mirren has said that questions concerning her decision to portray former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir are "utterly legitimate."
The Oscar-winning actress is starring in Golda, an upcoming biopic of Meir, who in 1969 became the first woman to serve as head of government in Israel. Last month actress Dame Maureen Lipman, who is Jewish, expressed her disapproval that Mirren, who isn't Jewish, had been cast in the role.
"With that I disagree, because the Jewishness of the character is so integral," Lipman told the Jewish Chronicle. "I'm sure she will be marvelous, but it would never be allowed for Ben Kingsley to play Nelson Mandela. You just couldn’t even go there."
In response to Lipman's comments, Mirren told the Daily Mail: "I do believe it is a discussion that has to be had – it's utterly legitimate."
"It was certainly a question that I had, before I accepted the role," Mirren added, noting that Meir "is a very important person in Israeli history."
Mirren revealed too that she broached the issue with the movie's director, Guy Nattiv. "I said, 'Look Guy, I'm not Jewish, and if you want to think about that, and decide to go in a different direction, no hard feelings. I will absolutely understand.' But he very much wanted me to play the role, and off we went."
She also insisted that she bears Lipman no ill will following the criticism, saying: "I very much respect Maureen. And I love her as an actress, absolutely. I'd love to bump into her and sit and have a cup of tea and talk about it."
Do you agree with Helen Mirren's comments on portraying Golda Meir?