Blind Casting Characters

Blind casting is a practice in the film industry of casting for a television show or film without considering the actor or actress’s ethnicity. For example, when originally casting the roles of Grey’s Anatomy, the producers didn’t look for any specific ethnicities, rather they took the best actors or actresses who auditioned and then let them become the role. Can you imagine anyone else playing Cristina or Bailey or Meredith for that matter? Blind Casting Icons I bring up blind casting today because of a conversation revolving around loving an actor or an actress even if you hate the role they are playing and more. Gina Torres, for example, is a brilliant actress who’s played everything from a browncoat (Firefly) to an Eastern bloc spy/assassin (Alias) to a Goddess (Angel) and more. There was a rumor for a while that she might be cast as Wonder Woman.

Now the question is: would she make a good Wonder Woman or a bad one? Acting
wise, I think she could nail it with both hands tied behind her back.
Physicality? She’s got the look, the build and the athleticism to carry it off.
Depth of character? Could she be a woman, given life by the breath of the gods
and the love of an Amazon Queen, absolutely! But is her ethnicity wrong?

For nearly seven decades Wonder Woman has traditionally been featured as a dark haired, blue eyed, woman of Caucasian descent, although arguably she has Greek and Turkish blood in her as well. For an example of what that would look like, just check out Melina Kanakaredes on CSI:NY. Her Greek heritage gives her a patrician face, which is both aristocratic and arresting. Arguably, Gina Torres can pull it off as well. But would some people object? Oh, probably. But then people objected to Keanu Reeves playing John Constantine because Keanu was young, American and dark haired when Constantine is late 40s, early 50s, very blonde and extremely British. But Keanu captured the spirit of Constantine and I don’t doubt for an instant that Torres couldn’t do the same with Wonder Woman. Best Man or Woman for the Job

Until recently, I never thought about the fact that that we don’t typically see
men and women of ethnicity cast in the roles that are cast ‘white’ in books, but
one does leap to mind:

Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief. He plays Gray Grantham, a character described as an older, white male in the books, but Denzel was definitely not older, white or flirting with a receding hairline. In fact, he was tone, smart and fit, with a fantastic smile and he nailed the reporter who didn’t let go of a story and who was willing to die to protect his sources. Washington and Julia Roberts also shared a fantastic chemistry that was reflective of the chemistry in the book and I list this film as one of my all time favorite book to film adaptations. Arresting Mental Images

We all form mental images of characters, some are arguably set in stone because
of the format in which we met them: comics, novels, television and more. But
soap operas have proven for years that you can change ethnicities (One Life to
Live’s Blair was Asian first and then later played by Kassie DePaiva), get
taller, get shorter, have any shade of hair, get older overnight and even be
de-aged (one CBS soap casting took an ‘older’ brother and made him a much
‘younger’ brother when it was recast). So why can’t we go with blind casting to
get the right actor for the job? I would rather see a role played well and be
invested and engaged in the character than in the ethnicity.

For me, it’s a question of quality, not color. What about you?

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A lifelong writer turned author, Heather Long's first book Remembering Ashby is available for purchase at Sapphire Blue Publishing. Coming soon is the urban fantasy: Prime Evil. The Daily Dose explores books, television, writing and more -- all topics that Heather enjoys.

Comments

8 comments posted.

Re: Blind Casting Characters

95% of the time I would agree about blind casting, and 100% about Denzel Washington being utterly superb, but occasionally it just won't fit. Would anyone have found him believable in Highlander? What about as the Russian commander in The Hunt for Red October? So, when it comes to casting movies from your books, we can go Greek, Roman, Hispanic without difficulty, but Denzel Washington as Arthur or Merlin or even Lancelot might be difficult to accept, mentally. Thanks for your incredibly well-crafted books.
(Susan Driskill 10:22am October 27, 2009)

I agree with Susan, most roles would not matter but some, not so good. We get use to a certain character or image, it's hard to watch it played differently. But if a person nails it, then we have a whole new image. But the persona needs to be the same, race or age does not matter so much then.
(Theresa Buckholtz 10:56am October 27, 2009)

I totally agree.
(Margay Roberge 10:58am October 27, 2009)

Susan, fair point about Highlander and I can see where the ethnicity of some characters is really important to maintain - particularly when the ethnicity is so associated with the character.

Theresa, I agree -- it really does need to be a strong persona. I remember being dramatically impressed by Michael Keaton as Batman - I could never have imagined Mr. Mom in that role previously, so I like it when producers and casting directors shake it up -- challenging us - particularly when the persona and acting is so well done.

And thank you for the wonderful compliment Susan!
(Heather Long 11:06am October 27, 2009)

I don't see color. I see strength through a character's eyes. I feel their heart through a writer's words. Color is only skin deep in my eyes. It's character that more important!
(Lisa Glidewell 2:51pm October 27, 2009)

I agree....but I'm an Outlander by Diana Gabaldon fan and I think Jamie must be played by a guy that fits his description in the book....and he has to speak with a Scottish accent or it will be all wrong!!!
(Mitzi Hinkey 9:34pm October 27, 2009)

I haven't had a problem with casting
actors of a different race when the
original character unless it was key to
the story. But I do find I have a little
problem when the actor is too old or
too young for a part. Not only is it
unbelievable, but I find it distracting
and takes me out of the storytelling.
(Sue Ahn 12:00pm October 28, 2009)

Unless there is a reason for a specific
ethnicity for a role, I think open
casting is a good practice. As long as
you get the essence of the character
from the performance it doesn't
matter so much what they look like. I
can think of some movies where they
cast a name actor for a part because
of his/her fame and they just didn't fit
the part. It changes the feel of the
story.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:03pm October 28, 2009)

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