HBO to Recast ‘White Lotus’ Role Amid Accusations Against Serbian Actor

HBO Responds to Ukraine's Accusations

HBO has announced that it will be recasting a role in the Emmy-nominated show 'White Lotus' after Ukrainian authorities accused Serbian actor Miloš Biković of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. In response to the accusations, HBO decided to part ways with Biković and recast the role for season three of the popular series.

Reasons for Recasting

The statement released by HBO did not provide specific details regarding the reasons for Biković's removal from the show. However, the decision came after the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the actor of supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. The ministry publicly questioned HBO's decision to work with someone who allegedly supports genocide and violates international law.

Public Response and Controversy

The Ukrainian MFA's accusations received significant attention on social media platforms, with thousands of likes and comments. Some commenters expressed their dissatisfaction with Biković's casting, while others questioned the government's focus on the actor. It is worth noting that Biković had not made any public statements in support of the war and had expressed sadness about the conflict in Ukraine.

However, some supporters of Ukraine were disappointed that the actor did not explicitly condemn Russia. Despite this, Biković emphasized his gratitude for being initially cast in the show and criticized the decision to remove him. He referred to the accusations as a targeted campaign and highlighted the importance of artistic freedom.

Biković's Personal Experience

Biković shared his personal experience of growing up in a war-torn country, emphasizing the impact it had on him. He stated that he could never wish such devastation on anyone, drawing on his own memories of enduring bombings and seeking shelter during his childhood.

The recasting process for the 'White Lotus' role will now begin, and HBO plans to proceed with filming the third season as scheduled.

Source: Business Insider

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By: hgetahun@insider.com (Hannah Getahun)
Title: HBO to Recast ‘White Lotus’ Role Amid Accusations Against Serbian Actor
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/hbo-recasting-milos-bikovics-white-lotus-role-ukraine-2024-2
Published Date: Sat, 03 Feb 2024 00:02:50 +0000