Jackie Boyden

There are a variety of opinions expressed in these reviews about the casting of Black actors in this TV series. Recently, I read a Black actor's comments somewhere on an entertainment website about casting without regard to color. He said that if you are an actor, there are huge numbers of plays and movies that are considered "great" or the "classics" - including many historical plays and movies. Most if not all of them were written for all-white casts and involved stories about times in history where racism and white superiority meant that all the characters were white. As an actor, he felt that it was important to have the opportunity to play at least some of those great classic parts and that he should not be automatically and arbitrarily excluded because he is Black. He said that history has been so incredibly racist that the stories forming the basis for the so-called "great" historical plays and movies reflect that racist society - only white people have the lead parts - or really any parts of significance. Not permitting Black actors to play those major roles would compound the racism. I enjoy watching good actors in plays and movies. Casting without regard to color seems like a great idea to me. But I think it should be up to the director, producer, casting director, playwright, cast, etc. to make those decisions for each particular play or movie. In my view, movies and plays are creative artistic expressions and should not be censored by external voices regarding casting decisions like this. I think it's a good thing when actors of color are given opportunities that they were previously denied due to racism. To me, "historical accuracy" sounds like it could be used as a smokescreen to cover up continued racism by insisting on "white only" casts. I can't support that.

Really enjoyed it. For viewers who said it was implausible and unbelievable that a woman could be such an excellent sniper and hold her own against the bad guys the way Jennifer Lopez did in this movie, please remember that most, if not all, good action movies strain credibility with the effects and fantastic deeds that no mortal human being could ever perform - woman or man. That's what makes these movies fun. Too many people question women in roles that used to be reserved for men only. Why? A good story is a good story. Let women be heroes too, in as many ways as possible! We are a nation raised to think of women in diminished inferior roles. This kind of movie helps us see women differently, and I think it's high time! Well done, Jennifer Lopez! You carried this movie and did a terrific job! For me, this encouraging trend of viewing female movie characters as action heroes began way back in 1979 with Sigourney Weaver in Alien. Weaver was fantastic, and that was some movie! More recently, Viola Davis was magnificent in the Woman King, and Charlize Theron was awesome in the Old Guard. There are many other examples of women leading great action movies that made me stand up and cheer! I put Jennifer Lopez in that category now. JLO, thank you for being a female action hero that I thoroughly enjoyed cheering for every step of the way! More, more, MORE!