#i think i'm just very used to most of our actors being somewhat unknown

[georgieluz]

the homosexual urge to gatekeep masters of the air from anyone not in the hbo war fandom

[destinyc1020]

you don't have to post this, but I agree with the lookism argument. I somewhat followed along at the time of Francesca's casting was announced and that seemed to be brought up often. I have always wondered if Jamie wanted an unconventional beauty to play the role. He obviously, did not think things through if that were the case. If Tom were not cast, and some unknown actor got the role would the reaction be the same?

I'm not in Jamie's head (obviously), but personally? I think he just went with the best actress who had the best chemistry with Tom for the role.

I feel like theater in a lot of ways is very different from film. Usually, they go with the best actor for the role.

We also have to keep in mind that in England, unlike the US, they are usually way more focused on an actor's acting talent than their looks. Their actors over there can be hit in the face, and nobody cares or blinks an eyelash rofl 🤣

Just take a look at some BBC Productions lol. 🤭

Here in America however, most Americans prefer their actors to not only be good actors, but to also be good-looking. Hollywood is way more superficial imo. Sometimes, you can get roles JUST because you're good-looking and not even because you're a decent actor. 🙄 For some reason, we care more about our actors being pleasing to the eyes lol. That's not usually a thing in British productions... not even for the screen.

So with Francesca, I really don't think Jamie was setting her up. I think he just went with the best actress for the role. That's usually how it is in theater anyway. 🤷🏾‍♀️

Theater is also usually way more diverse and accepting, because you can sometimes have men playing female roles, and vice versa... you can have race swap... and nobody is usually caring if you're actually gay playing a straight role. It's very different from film. Most people just want a good show.

So yea, it is quite surprising even to me that she got SO much hate... 😔

I def don't think she would have gotten as much hate if Tom (who's VERY well-known) had not been her costar. I think this would have been a quiet little West End production that most people wouldn't have even heard of or cared about had it not been for Tom's star status.

I mean, the show sold out on Tom's name ALONE. The rest of the cast had not even been mentioned yet. Part of me kinda wonders if maybe SOME (racist) people were upset that they had already bought their tickets after later on learning who Juliet was being played by, and sent her angry msgs. 😢

So yea, lookism definitely played a part in the hate she got imo.

Either way, it's sad all around, no matter how you slice it. 🫤