Miloš Biković, the Serbian-Russian actor originally cast in the upcoming third season of The White Lotus, has been replaced by Julian Kostov, according to Deadline. Kostov was previously seen in Netflix’s Shadow And Bone and co-owns a production company (Five Oceans) with fellow Bulgarian actor and Oscar nominee Maria Bakalova. Filming for the new season of Mike White’s comedy anthology series is expected to begin soon in Bangkok.
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Biković was originally cast in the role as a recurring Russian character but was let go after HBO faced criticism from Ukraine. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a video to Twitter/X accusing Biković of being the “Kremlin’s foreign mouthpiece” and calling him “a person who supports genocide & violates international law.” He has reportedly been banned from entering Ukraine for several years now.
“Today, a targeted campaign has been unleashed against me, seemingly as an external maneuver to influence decisions that can create a disturbing precedent shadowing the essence of artistic freedom. The result of such a narrative is the triumph of absurdity and the defeat of art,” Biković said in a statement about his firing (which can be read in full over at Variety). “I was honored to be chosen to be a part of White Lotus, a TV series that I hold in high regard and with colleagues whom I deeply respect. However, my participation is not possible due to reasons beyond the realm of art and I will not bow to any narrative that seeks to compromise my integrity.”
“I would like to thank everyone who stood by me. I wish my colleagues great success in creating the next season,” he concluded. “Regardless of everything, I strongly believe that art can heal. I believe it can help humanity unite. My beliefs and my dedication to art will remain unchanged.”