Gemma Chan has reflected upon her colourblind casting as Bess of Hardwick in 2018's Mary Queen of Scots and the actor believes "art should reflect life now". The actor said her bid as British monarch Queen Elizabeth I adviser, a Caucasian woman, in the Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie-fronted film generated some controversy among social media trolls.

Colourblind or nontraditional casting is defined as the casting of ethnic minority actors in roles where race, ethnicity, or gender is not germane.