This has become a contentious issue lately with various professionals proclaiming the need for people playing parts to have "lived experience". Russell T. Davies the writer of "It's A Sin" said that only gay people should play gay people, disabled actors claim that only disabled people should play the same. It's all a bit bewildering to me.
I thought the whole idea was that actors play the part of being something other than themselves. So I don't have a problem with Tom Hanks's portrayal of a gay man who contracted HIV in the film "Philadelphia" even though he wasn't gay and didn't contract HIV.
Am I bothered by Kenneth More's portrayal of Douglas Bader on film? I am, but not for reasons of his portrayal of disability.
I am intrigued by one thing, however. Maureen Lipman is worried by Helen Mirren playing Golda Meir. This criticism may be valid coming, as it does, from someone who has never, ever relied on lazy stereotypes with regards to Jewish identity:
