OK, can we all just take a minute? I'm all for diversity and inclusion, but can we agree to keep these arbitrary quotas out of historical documentaries? It's one thing in something like Bridgerton, where the point is entertainment, but a history documentary's purpose is to inform.
Robert Catesby was, by all accounts, not a tall, handsome heartthrob. He certainly wasn't mixed race. The actor playing him is talented, and this is not a criticism of his performance, which is strong. However, this casting feels like one of the most jarring choices I've seen in a while. And this isn't an isolated case-it's cropping up everywhere. This urge to include everyone, regardless of historical accuracy, feels like a token gesture that risks going too far. It seems like it's done just to make a point.
In almost any other context, I'd agree with more inclusive casting; it's essential to include everyone in all kinds of projects. But when it comes to historical documentaries, I'm not in favor of these choices. If a documentary's goal is to educate the audience, why mislead them with casting that pulls them out of the historical world it's trying to create?
A similar example is the casting of a Black actress as Anne Boleyn a few years ago. While that was a bold choice, it was a drama series meant to entertain. But if it's a documentary on the History Channel, sticking to historical accuracy would serve everyone better. Documentary-it's in the name! I also don't see who this benefits. Artistically, it doesn't necessarily benefit the actors, and from an informational standpoint, it doesn't serve the audience either.
It's a shame because, apart from this, Gunpowder Siege tells a rarely explored part of history well. The actors do a fantastic job, and the documentary is thoughtfully structured and informative. It's just hard to stay fully engaged when the diversity quota alarm is ringing in your ears throughout.
