"it is unfortunately something that is somewhat the status quo."
Charithra Chandran has addressed the backlash to her casting in Netflix’s One Piece, saying such reactions remain common for women of colour working in the industry.
In 2024, Charithra was cast in series two of the live-action adaptation of One Piece.
The series follows Monkey D Luffy, the leader of the Straw Hat pirates. He leads a crew on a global search for the legendary treasure known as the One Piece.
Charithra joins the series as Nefertari Vivi, a blue-haired bounty hunter with a hidden past.
Vivi initially operates under the alias Miss Wednesday before her true identity is revealed to viewers.
Charithra admitted she had limited knowledge of the source material before landing the role.
She said: “I couldn’t believe how I had not interacted with One Piece prior to this, because it is huge. And now I am in the universe, I see it absolutely everywhere.”
However, her casting prompted criticism, with much of it focusing on her skin colour.
In the original manga, Vivi is depicted as a white woman.
Some fans argued the Bridgerton star was not right for the role. Others criticised the actress for agreeing to portray the character.
Reflecting on the criticism, Charithra Chandran said such situations are not unusual for women of colour in the entertainment industry.
She told BBC Newsbeat: “I think as a woman of colour in this industry, it is unfortunately something that is somewhat the status quo.
“It is absolutely not acceptable but I’m not the first person in this position; I will not be the last.”
She said part of the story’s global appeal lies in its diverse cast of characters and universal themes.
She said: “What I love about One Piece, I presume that people pick up on similar things, is that the messages of the story are so universal.
“In a time where the world feels incredibly divided, people are so polarised, the message of following your dreams and being good to your friends and this chosen family, how can anyone disagree with that?”
Describing the support she received from her colleagues, Charithra said:
“Even if you didn’t see it publicly, all of them are here for me and hyping me up.”
Some criticism also centred on the character’s origins. Vivi comes from Alabasta, a region in the story believed to be inspired by Ancient Egypt.
This led some fans to question the decision to cast an actor of Indian heritage in the role.
Charithra said she understands the expectations that fans place on adaptations of beloved stories:
“I try to remember that it’s not necessarily about me as a person and I’ve got to do my best to prove to people that I’m the right fit for this, and I hope they enjoy.
“I hope I can expand their minds and make them view people and the world a little differently. But, beyond that, I’ve just got to live my truth, be true to myself.”
Charithra also received public support from Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the original story.
She added: “If Oda Sensei, the person whose brilliant mind this has all come out of says, ‘You are the right person to portray this character’, that to me is the only validation that matters.”
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