Originally Posted by
Daffodillie
I agree with you that they should have used an Asian actor for the part.
However I would question to what extent Adam Fielding can really be said to be white. From what I understand he is of Irish and Italian ethnicity and this does indeed get him the official classification of 'white'. Does he really read as 'white' though? I would say this is a matter of perception, but he doesn't securely read as white by any means. His claim to whiteness is based on his heritage more than his appearance, which is ambiguous to say the least. Hence being chosen to play an Asian role, he can pass. Probably a lot more easily than playing some English toff in a period drama. As such his appearance will surely limit his own access to roles in a Northern European country.
That being said, he will still be more easily cast in mainstream roles than most actors from a racial minority and so should not have been given a part playing a South Asian, which could easily have been filled by an actual South Asian actor.