Andy Serkis says the Lord Of The Rings cast was 'very white' and admits there were 'criticisms' over the film series' lack of diversity as he defends the casting of his new prequel

By LAURA FOX, ASSOCIATE SHOWBUSINESS EDITOR Published: 21:17, 14 July 2026 | Updated: 02:56, 15 July 2026 Andy Serkis has admitted the Lord Of The Rings cast was 'very white' after a 25-year row over the lack of diversity in the films. The iconic trilogy is considered one of the greatest in cinematic history, and its conclusion The Return Of The King, was awarded 11 Oscars. However, fans have complained that there was little diversity in the stars who played its most iconic roles, and Andy himself has addressed the backlash in a new interview. The actor, who provided the motion capture for Gollum, acknowledged that there were 'criticisms' aimed at the casting for the original films, and it was something he planned to 'acknowledge' in his new film The Hunt For Gollum. He said: 'Tolkien himself was influenced a lot by Norse mythology, there's a lot of that feeling. 'The Shire feels very, very much like a very, a very white, you know…' Andy Serkis has admitted the Lord Of The Rings cast was 'very white' after a 25-year row over the lack of diversity in the films Speaking to the BBC, Andy added: 'They're not very concerned about what goes on beyond the borders of The Shire, but they know they don't want people coming in. 'Yes, there have been criticisms. 'This particular film is somewhat acknowledging that. But I don't think we will be doing a politically correct just-casting-for-the sake-of-casting-and-ticking-boxes version of the film. So, it's where relevant basically.' Casting for The Hunt For Gollum is currently underway, and will see Andy reprise his role as Gollum, alongside Ian McKellen as Gandalf The Grey, with the film set to be released in December 2027. Told from Gollum's perspective, the film is set before the events of The Fellowship of The Ring, and sees Gandalf sending a ranger called Strider to find the former Hobbit. Strider, also known as Aragorn, will be played by Jamie Dornan, replacing original star Viggo Mortensen in the role. The casting received a mixed reception, with comments on Instagram including: '50 shades of Gollum;' 'Kate Winslet to Jamie Dornan in LOTR: "draw me like one of your Rivendell girls;"' 'From a looks wise Jamie is fantastic for Aragorn;' The iconic trilogy is considered one of the greatest in cinematic history, but fans have previously criticised a lack of diversity among its actors Should beloved fantasy classics be recast for greater diversity or stay true to original visions? What's your view?'JAMIE DORNAN. HELL YEAH. AND LEEEEE PACE! AGGHHHHHHH.' 'Jamie Dornan, you just being given a second chance in this industry,' Anya Taylor-Joy and Kate Winslet have also joined the cast, and the film is set to use de-aging technology for actors who are returning to the franchise. In 2022, several stars of The Lord Of The Rings prequel series The Rings Of Power, received vile racist trolling over their casting in the show, with stars including Sir Lenny Henry cast as elves, dwarves and Harfoots. Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, who played hobbits in the original trilogy, shared social media posts with the caption: 'You Are All Welcome Here' in a show of solidarity. A message was also posted on the show's social media account hitting back at the 'relentless' abuse some of the cast suffered. It said: 'JRR Tolkien created a world which, by definition, is multicultural. 'A world in which free peoples from different races and cultures join together, in fellowship, to defeat the forces of evil. Rings of Power reflects that.  'Our world has never been all white, fantasy has never been all white, Middle-earth is not all white.'