Advertisements
Home News House’s Olivia Wilde on Death Threats over Thirteen’s Storyline

House’s Olivia Wilde on Death Threats over Thirteen’s Storyline

by Barbara Miller

In a recent interview, Olivia Wilde opened up about her time on House, recalling the impact of her character, Dr. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley, and the unexpected backlash the show faced due to its portrayal of LGBTQ+ and interracial storylines. Wilde, now an acclaimed actor and director, rose to stardom after joining the hit medical drama in its fourth season. Her character, a doctor living with Huntington’s disease, became a fan favorite, but the show’s bold narrative choices sparked significant controversy at the time.

Wilde’s portrayal of Thirteen was groundbreaking in multiple ways. The character’s bisexuality and relationship with fellow doctor Eric Foreman (Omar Epps), which was one of the first major network portrayals of an interracial LGBTQ+ relationship, challenged the status quo. However, Wilde revealed that this progressive storytelling was met with fierce backlash, including “insane death threats” and heightened security on set.

Advertisements

“Seeing what’s on television now, if you watch Euphoria, the fact that my character was shocking and groundbreaking then, it’s like, no, it’s nothing,” Wilde said, reflecting on how television has evolved since the 2000s.

Advertisements

Breaking Barriers in Representation

Wilde’s comments highlight how House helped to normalize marginalized identities on television. Thirteen’s journey, which included dealing with a terminal illness and navigating complex relationships, was a trailblazer for bisexual and LGBTQ+ representation. Her relationship with Foreman, an interracial romance, was a rare and bold depiction in mainstream television at the time.

Advertisements

As Wilde noted, the backlash she faced was indicative of the cultural landscape of the time, and underscores the strides that television has made in terms of inclusivity. Shows like Euphoria, The Last of Us, and Heartstopper now feature a diverse range of LGBTQ+ and interracial storylines, with more acceptance from audiences than in the past.

A Step Forward for Television

Wilde’s reflection underscores how far the television industry has come in terms of representation, but also how challenging it was for House to break new ground. While Thirteen’s storyline may seem commonplace by today’s standards, its impact was far-reaching. Wilde’s character not only helped change the narrative surrounding bisexuality and LGBTQ+ relationships but also paved the way for more inclusive storytelling in mainstream television.

Although much progress has been made, Wilde’s comments remind us that the path to representation is ongoing. It also serves as a reminder of how vital it is for media to continue pushing boundaries and challenging cultural norms, as House did in its groundbreaking run.

Related content:

Advertisements

You may also like

blank

Rnada is a movie portal. The main columns include trailers, movie reviews, celebrities, movie knowledge, news

Copyright © 2023 Rnada.com