Actor Maxine Peake has voiced her disapproval of public figures such as J.K. Rowling and Nigel Farage for their opinions in what she describes as a time of division. She expressed her views while discussing the late ‘moral crusader’ Mary Whitehouse.
Maxine, aged 51, is set to depict the conservative activist Mary Whitehouse, renowned for her campaign against perceived ‘filth’ on television and her stance on sexuality, in the play titled “The Last Stand of Mrs. Mary Whitehouse,” premiering at the Nottingham Playhouse tonight.
In anticipation of the opening performance, Maxine, known for her roles in productions like “dinnerladies,” addressed her role in an interview on a radio show, which was released yesterday. During the discussion, she drew parallels between contemporary public figures and the late Mary Whitehouse.
During an appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, Maxine was asked if there are similarities between Mary’s advocacy and the current ‘culture wars.’ In response, she affirmed the connection.
Expanding on her opinions, Maxine criticized some celebrities for speaking out on issues she believes they do not fully comprehend. Specifically, she mentioned J.K. Rowling, the renowned author of the Harry Potter series, who has faced both acclaim and backlash for her comments regarding the transgender community.
Maxine also highlighted Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, whose divisive viewpoints on topics like immigration have stirred controversy. She cautioned against influential figures like Farage, attributing their appeal to a potentially dangerous ideology.
Acknowledging the host’s observation that there are strong sentiments on various sides of contentious debates, Maxine agreed and emphasized the current climate of division. She remarked on the BBC Radio show that we are currently living in highly polarized times.