Should able-bodied actors play disabled characters?

Guardian writer questions whether it is acceptable for Eddie Redmayne to play Stephen Hawking

Eddie Redmayne as Stephen Hawking

Eddie Redmayne won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything and has today been nominated for an Oscar to boot – but his casting has raised questions about who should play marginalised roles on screen.

Writing in The Guardian, Frances Ryan points out that while "blacking up" is greeted with outrage, "cripping up" is still greeted with awards.

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