Netflix To Release ‘Mary’ Series

Netflix’s upcoming film Mary has sparked a firestorm of controversy, not for its artistic interpretation, but for its casting choices.

Scheduled to debut on December 6, the Biblical epic features Israeli actress Noa Cohen as Mary and Israeli actor Ido Tako as Joseph, alongside Anthony Hopkins as King Herod. The casting has ignited outrage among anti-Israel critics online, who accuse the production of historical inaccuracy and political bias.

The backlash began after Netflix dropped the film’s trailer on November 12. Detractors on social media quickly pounced, claiming the casting of Israeli actors to portray Mary and Joseph was offensive and revisionist. Some have gone so far as to insist the Biblical figures were "Palestinian," a claim rooted more in modern politics than historical evidence.

One particularly vocal account on X labeled the casting decision "diabolical," calling for a boycott. Another user, identifying as “ProPakistani,” denounced the film as “sacrilege” and accused the production of exploiting sacred religious figures for profit.

Several posts criticized the decision to feature "European Israelis" rather than Middle Eastern Christians, with some equating the choice to an endorsement of Israel’s current geopolitical policies.

Director D.J. Caruso defended the casting in an earlier interview, emphasizing the importance of authenticity. "It was important to us that Mary, along with most of our primary cast, be selected from Israel to ensure authenticity," Caruso stated. He reiterated that the film aims to stay true to the Biblical narrative while offering thoughtful interpretations of its themes.

Pro-Israel commentators were quick to counter the criticism, often with humor. Some referenced an Israeli satire clip that mocks the anachronistic notion that first-century Jews were anything other than, well, Jews. Others pointed out the irony of critics insisting that Biblical figures who predate modern national identities should be labeled as "Palestinian."

The controversy points out a shocking and growing trend: the politicization of religious narratives. While the film seeks to honor scripture and present a faithful depiction of Mary’s story, its reception is being colored by modern political tensions.

For viewers looking forward to a heartfelt retelling of one of Christianity’s central stories, the film offers an opportunity for reflection. But for its detractors, Mary seems to be yet another battlefield in the ongoing cultural and ideological wars.