Eddie Redmayne Regrets Playing Transgender Character In The Danish Girl

Eddie Redmayne has admitted he has some regrets about his decision to take on the role of a transgender character in a film a few years back, explaining that he probably wouldn't take the part nowadays.

Redmayne, the star of The Theory of Everything and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, put in a star turn in the 2015 Academy Award nominated The Danish Girl, a true story about the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first people to ever undergo gender affirmation surgery.

However, he has since been criticised for taking on the role by those who believe that the part could have gone to a transgender actor instead of a cisgender man.

While Redmayne meant no offence, he does now believe he would have left the role for another actor if he had his time again.

Speaking in an interview with The Times, the 39-year-old said: "No, I wouldn't take it on now. I made that film with the best intentions, but I think it was a mistake."

He added: "The bigger discussion about the frustrations around casting is because many people don't have a chair at the table.

"There must be a levelling, otherwise we are going to carry on having these debates."

Redmayne is currently facing fresh controversy for taking the role of the Emcee in a production of Cabaret.

While the part is ambiguous, the role has often been played by LGBT+ performers in the past.

However, Redmayne explained: "Of all the characters I've ever read, this one defies pigeonholing. I would ask people to come and see it before casting judgment."

Jessie Buckley, who stars alongside Redmayne in the production at the Playhouse Theatre in London's West End, added: "This is the most diverse company I have ever worked in.

"On the first day everyone introduced themselves and said their pronouns, he, she, they... and it was lovely to be part of that conversation.

"Our Kit Kat Club welcomes everyone, whoever you are."

Asked how he actually sees his character, Redmayne said: "I see him as a survivor who can shape-shift himself out of every situation.

"There are elements of Karl Valentin [the Charlie Chaplin of Weimar Germany] and there is this extraordinary maître d' at the Sunset Towers in Los Angeles called Dimitri. I've put a bit of him into the mix."

If you want to check it out for yourself, Cabaret is at the Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre, London WC2.

Featured Image Credit: Universal Pictures/Alamy

Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, UK Entertainment

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

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