Fact check: Casting Nathanial Harris to portray Sir Isaac Newton in an episode of Doctor Who is considered progressive. But casting Joel Edgerton as the Pharoah in Exodus: Gods and Kings was racist white-washing.

1. Summary of the results

The comparison in the original statement oversimplifies a complex issue. Nathaniel Curtis (not Harris as stated in the original statement) was indeed cast as Isaac Newton in Doctor Who, a decision that received both support and criticism ^[1]. The casting of Joel Edgerton as an Egyptian Pharaoh exists within a broader historical context of Hollywood's problematic practice of "whitewashing" - casting white actors in roles meant for people of color ^{[2] [3]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

• Historical representation in media is inherently complex and often involves artistic interpretation alongside historical accuracy ^[4]
• The Doctor Who casting decision was specifically defended by casting director Andy Pryor as part of a broader push for representation and diversity in media ^[1]
• The casting choice faced opposition from specific right-wing commentators who labeled it as "historical revisionism," though the show's fanbase was largely supportive ^[5]
• There is documented evidence of systemic racism in Hollywood casting practices, with Dr. Nancy Wang Yuen noting that whitewashing stems from institutional discrimination and outdated beliefs about audience preferences ^[3]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

• The statement presents a false equivalency by comparing two different casting scenarios without acknowledging the historical context
• The original statement incorrectly names the actor as "Nathanial Harris" when it is actually Nathaniel Curtis ^[1]
• The statement ignores Hollywood's long-standing history of yellowface and racial misrepresentation ^[2]
• The comparison overlooks the power dynamics at play: whitewashing has historically been used to exclude actors of color from significant roles ^[3], while diverse casting in historical roles can serve to increase representation in an industry with documented systemic barriers
• Similar casting debates have occurred in other contexts, such as Denzel Washington as Hannibal, demonstrating that these discussions are more nuanced than simple accusations of racism or progressiveness ^[6]