The Danish Girl: Eddie Redmayne says taking up the role of a trans character had been ‘a mistake’

Actors often do roles that they regret later but one does not expect them to regret doing the role that won them a nomination at Emmys or Oscars. In a surprisingly rare case, actor Eddie Redmayne has come forward saying that he regrets doing a role in a film that earned him a nomination for an Academy Award, The Danish Girl.

In conversation with London’s The Times, Redmayne revealed that he would not take on the lead role in the 2015 film had it been offered to him today.

In the biographical drama, the cisgender actor plays the role of Elbe, an artist in the 1920s, who was one of the first people to undergo gender affirmation surgery. The film is based on David Ebershoff’s 2000 novel of the same name.

Redmayne went on to add that although he had accepted the role ‘with the best intentions’, he realised it was a mistake thinking back on his decision. He further talked about the importance of diverse representation when it comes to casting decisions. The debate and controversies surrounding proper representation in film would continue until a level playing field was established.

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Although Redmayne’s performance in The Danish Girl was the subject of widespread critical acclaim, the film came under fire for its historical inaccuracies and for casting a cis male actor in the role of a transgender woman.

Meanwhile, Redmayne is all set to reprise his role as Newt Scamander in the upcoming Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.