HBO Parts Ways with Serbian Actor Miloš Biković Over Support for Russia's Invasion of Ukraine
Serbian actor Miloš Biković, who holds Russian citizenship, will no longer be part of the third season of HBO's series "White Lotus" due to his close ties with the aggressor country and support for the annexation of Crimea. The Guardian reports this development.
Biković was cast in the role of a Russian character named Valentin, a playful yoga instructor and life improvement mentor. Following this decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expressed outrage at the channel's choice. In a Twitter post, the ministry stated that the actor "supports Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine."
"HBO, is it acceptable for you to work with someone who supports genocide and violates international law?" the statement also read.
HBO has not provided detailed comments on the matter but mentioned that they have decided to part ways with Miloš Biković, and his role will be recast.
It's worth noting that the actor has been featured in Russian films and series since 2014. He received a medal from Vladimir Putin in 2019 for his contribution to Russian art and culture. In 2021, Biković also acquired Russian citizenship.
The actor has expressed support for the annexation of Crimea, claiming that "local residents joined voluntarily through a referendum." Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he has continued to support Russia.
Biković himself refutes the accusations, stating that he does not support any wars and citing his experience growing up during conflicts in the former Yugoslavia.
"White Lotus" is an American comedy-drama directed by Mike White, premiered on July 11, 2021, on HBO. The series revolves around the staff and guests of the Hawaiian hotel "White Lotus."
The Gaze reported earlier that British writer Stephen Fry has signed a contract to narrate the documentary film "We Are Home," telling the stories of families forced to leave their homes due to the Russian war in Ukraine.
The film is directed by two Ukrainians, Anton Chystiakov and Roman Krasnoshchok, with Keely-Paige Rice serving as the producer. She was recognized as the Best Producer at this year's National Film Awards in the UK for the film "Keep Calm and Carry On."
The documentary "We Are Home" shares the stories of children and their families from different front-line cities in Ukraine who were forced to leave their homes, escaping the Russian war-genocide, and evacuating to the Ukrainian town of Skole near Lviv in the west of the country.