Some of Hollywood’s biggest directors and actors defended the controversial new Troy series where the mythological Greek hero Achilles is played by black actor David Gyasi.

Speaking exclusively to Greek Reporter from the red carpet of the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, some of Hollywood’s best talent advocated the right of Netflix and BBC producers to artistic freedom.

Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer of Netflix noted that it’s a fantastic series that gives “a different twist that has never been done before.”

“Christ has been played by many different people… When I started it was still OK for a white actor to play Othello…Things have now changed,” pointed out Golden Globe winner Gary Oldman.Film composer Alexandre Desplat who clinched a Globe for best score defended the series by saying that Achilles is a mythical figure.

“We don’t know how he looked like…We don’t know even if his creator Homer ever really existed.”Best Director winner Guillermo del Torro brushed aside concerns arguing that “If you want to read, read, if you want to watch, watch.”In the Troy: Fall of a City, is an eight-part series that chronicles the Greek siege of the city of Troy which will be screened in 2018.

Social media users have voiced their anger at the series in which, apart from Achilles, other Greek mythological figures such as Patroclus and Zeus are being played by black actors.