Lenny James: Walking Dead Star Calls for Gay and Disabled Debate

"Walking Dead" star Lenny James said there should be more "talk" about the casting role.

Against the backdrop of increasing noise for actors to make the characters they play real, he calls for debate, especially "in areas where authenticity is not being met."

The Line of Duty actor is rehearsing for A Number, a psychological thriller, at the Old Vic Theater in London with Papa Essiedu from I May Destroy You.

James told the BBC, "If gay actors aren't allowed to play gay roles, or actors with disabilities aren't even considered for roles with disabilities, in this situation, I'm going to be 100% part of the conversation saying why not? So that has to change."

But he insisted that he would "questionably" the idea that specific roles should be reserved for certain actors to ensure that their performances were authentic.

The Save Me actor and screenwriter said casting for each role should be "just in case." I hope so, and I pray so."

His comments came after Lady Maureen Lipman questioned the casting of non-Jewish actress Helen Mirren for former Israeli PM Golda Meir in the upcoming film.

"Hero Judaism is indissoluble," Lady Maureen told The Jewish Chronicle.

Last year, Bafta winner Russell T. Davis told the Radio Times while speaking on the Channel 4 drama It's A Sin about AIDS, which features only gay actors in gay, wheelchair-bound roles, you're not going to blacken anyone. Authenticity leads us to happy places."

Marley Matlin, the only Deaf actress to win an Oscar for the play Children of the Lesser God in 1986, also spoke on behalf of the deaf actors.

"Enough," he told The Guardian last year. "Deaf people are not suits. It is not genuine and offends the community you represent. Because we exist, we are deaf actors.

However, other actors have called for a more nuanced approach, believing that part of an actor's job is to live an entirely different nature.

Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett said, "I will fight to the death for the right to end mistrust and play a role beyond my experience."

And when Lady Maureen herself spoke to Radio 4's World at One after her comments about Lady Helen's casting, she admitted it was a "complicated" argument.

"You're just going to turn off all skill and acting ability when you play tight," he said, adding, "I'm not someone who thinks Shrek has to be green."