MAX is being called out by Ukraine for a recent casting decision on its hit show “White Lotus.”
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry accused Serbian actor Miloš Biković, who is linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, of supporting Ukraine.
“Miloš Biković, the Serbian actor who has supported Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, will now star in the third season of HBO’s The White Lotus,” the Foreign Ministry wrote in X on Wednesday. Do you associate with who supports genocide and violates foreign laws?
So far, there is no evidence that Biković supports the war. In February, the actor posted a message on Instagram expressing his sadness at the outbreak of war.
“War and bloodshed, on both sides, remind us how humanity is based on global unity and love,” the actor wrote in Russian. However, commentators were dismayed that the actor did not condemn Russia’s invasion of the country.
Representatives for Max and Biković did not respond to Business Insider’s requests for comment.
So far, the fate of Biković’s role has not been made public. The actor will play a wellness guru in the series, which will begin filming in Thailand in February.
Serbia’s Foreign Ministry came to Biković’s defense, Ukraine’s accusations were “baseless,” Deadline reported, citing Serbian news outlet Tanjug.
Biković, who was granted Russian citizenship in 2021 by presidential decree, met with Putin to win a Russian Prize for Art and Culture in 2018, as highlighted through videos posted across Ukraine on social media.
During his acceptance speech, the actor emphasized the unity between Russia and Serbia, the New York Times reported. The following year, Ukraine banned Biković from entering the country.
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