White Actors Can't Play Robot Roles
False Assumption: Replacing an Asian American actor with a white actor in a humanoid robot role constitutes a racial recasting misstep drawing justifiable backlash.
Written by FARAgent on February 10, 2026
In November 2024, the Broadway musical 'Maybe Happy Ending' opened with Darren Criss, a hapa actor of Asian descent, playing one of two outdated humanoid robots. The show succeeded with critical acclaim, rising ticket sales, and six Tony Awards, including best leading actor for Criss as the first Asian American in that category.
Criss announced his departure at the end of August 2025. Producers cast Andrew Barth Feldman, a white Jewish actor, in the role. The Washington Post Style section columnist called the decision a 'big misstep,' claiming it drew justifiable backlash for recasting an Asian American with a white actor.
Critics highlighted the absurdity of applying racial casting rules to robots. Both actors appeared visually similar, with Jewish features, questioning the need for racial preservation in a race-neutral role. The controversy persisted into 2025 despite shifting cultural norms.
People Involved
- In the bustling theaters of Broadway, Darren Criss stepped into the spotlight as a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending.' He won a Tony for best leading actor in a musical, marking him as the first Asian American to claim that honor. [1] This achievement appeared to benefit from assumptions about racial representation, even for non-human roles. [1]
- Later, Andrew Barth Feldman, a white actor of full Jewish descent, took over the part. He faced sharp criticism for what some called a racial recasting. [1]
- Naveen Kumar, a columnist in the Washington Post's Style section, championed this view. He described the switch as a big misstep that drew justifiable backlash. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (3)
“Column by Naveen Kumar This Broadway recasting of an Asian American with a White actor is a big misstep The decision by “Maybe Happy Ending” to replace Tony winner Darren Criss with Andrew Barth Feldman has drawn justifiable backlash.”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
“including for star Darren Criss, who made history as the first Asian American to win best leading actor in a musical.”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
“to cast a White actor, Andrew Barth Feldman, to take over the role when Criss leaves at the end of August.”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
Organizations Involved
The Washington Post lent its pages to the debate in its Style section. There, it promoted the notion that swapping an Asian American actor for a white one in a robot role sparked valid controversy. [1] Meanwhile, the Broadway production of 'Maybe Happy Ending' navigated these waters. It first cast Darren Criss to align with diversity expectations. [1] When the show replaced him with a white performer, backlash followed, testing the production's adherence to evolving norms. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (2)
“From the Washington Post’s Style section (i.e., not from the Opinion section): This Broadway recasting of an Asian American with a White actor is a big misstep”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
“Now, the production is engulfed in controversy over its decision to cast a White actor”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
The Foundation
The assumption took root in the idea that Darren Criss's Asian American background brought historic diversity to a robot character. This seemed plausible amid the acclaim for his Tony win. [1] Yet critics argue that robots, by nature, lack any race, making the emphasis on ethnicity appear misplaced. [1] The belief extended to preserving Asian American representation in such roles. It gained traction through praise for the original casting. [1] Mounting evidence challenges this, suggesting that race overrides suitability for non-human parts in ways that strain logic. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (2)
“who made history as the first Asian American to win best leading actor in a musical.”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
“This Broadway recasting of an Asian American with a White actor is a big misstep”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
How It Spread
The idea gained ground in mainstream outlets. The Washington Post's Style section framed the recasting as a broader controversy, extending beyond mere opinion. [1] This coverage helped spread the assumption through cultural commentary, embedding it in discussions of theater and representation. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“From the Washington Post’s Style section (i.e., not from the Opinion section)”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
Harm Caused
Controversy soon enveloped the production of 'Maybe Happy Ending.' What began as a successful run risked damage to its reputation. [1] Ticket sales might have suffered under the weight of public debate. [1] The backlash highlighted potential costs when assumptions about race in casting turn divisive. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (1)
“Now, the production is engulfed in controversy over its decision”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
Downfall
Growing questions surround the assumption as visual parallels emerge. Darren Criss, with his hapa features that some see as Jewish-looking, and Andrew Barth Feldman, fully Jewish, appeared strikingly similar in their robot guises. [1] Critics argue this similarity underscores the irrelevance of race for such characters, with informal quizzes testing whether audiences could even spot the difference. [1] By 2025, the concern lingers but feels outdated next to 2020 norms. This shift points to emerging skepticism about the original backlash. [1]
▶ Supporting Quotes (2)
“Can a 100% Jewish actor replace a Jewish-looking hapa actor as a robot in a Broadway musical?”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
“It's 2025, not 2020, but the Washington Post still cares.”— Should a White Actor Be Allowed to Play a Robot?
Sources
- [1]