Helen Mirren Responds to Criticism of Her Role as Israeli Prime Minister in 'Golda'

Helen Mirren is sharing her thoughts on playing a Jewish character as a non-Jewish actress.

The 78-year-old Oscar-winner has been facing criticism surrounding her role as former Prime Minister of Israel Golda Meir in the upcoming film Golda. Some have expressed opposition to Helen portraying a Jewish person.

Keep reading to find out how Helen responded…

Helen told the Radio Times that “the whole issue of casting has exploded out of the water fairly recently”.

She added, “I’ve had other Jewish roles [in Woman in Gold and The Debt], but not an uber-Jewish role like Golda Meir. I did tell [director Guy Nattiv] that I’m not Jewish, in case he thought I was.”

Helen said that Guy, who is Jewish, did not express any concern with her casting.

“I said, ‘If that’s an issue, I’ll step away, no problem.’ But he said, ‘No, it’s not an issue. I want you to play Golda.’ And off we went,” she explained.

Golda writer Nicholas Martin also spoke to the outlet about the controversy. He said, “I don’t feel like all this discussion about gentiles playing Jews is helpful. Helen’s job was to portray Golda authentically, which Golda’s family would say she has. A leading Israeli historian said that Helen is ‘more Golda than Golda’.

He continued, “I find it very worrying that there is a creeping authoritarianism in entertainment saying you cannot do this or that. Am I just supposed to write about middle-aged men living in south London?”

Helen initially addressed criticism of her playing Golda in 2022 and admitted that did not accept the role without careful consideration of the issue.

If you missed it, watch the full trailer for Golda here!