Lucie Shorthouse, the actress who plays DC Siobhan Clarke in the BBC's latest adaptation of Ian Rankin's Rebus, has responded to the "undeniably racist" abuse she's faced since the show aired.
The first episode of Rebus kicked off on BBC Scotland and BBC One earlier this month with all six episodes available to stream on iPlayer now.
Therefore, several fans have already binged the entire first season and witnessed how Shorthouse's Siobhan copes with working alongside Richard Rankin's troubled inspector John Rebus.
The show has received plaudits aplenty, with many heaping praise on writer Gregory Burke's retelling of author Rankin's iconic series of bestselling crime novels.
Leading star Rankin even took to X, formerly Twitter, to thank fans following an "incredible first week" full of "amazing comments and feedback".
However, the series hasn't managed to escape the vile trolling from some who have criticised the casting of Shorthouse in one of the series' leading roles.
BBC Rebus: Lucie Shorthouse plays Siobhan Clarke in the crime drama
BBC
Hitting back at the unwarranted abuse, Shorthouse's talent agency, James Foster Ltd, released a statement on X.
"Since #Rebus aired there have been some comments around the casting of our client Lucie Shorthouse, which have been undeniably racist," it began. "Wrong & hurtful.
"Suggesting her casting is because of 'wokeism' is an insult & undermines the incredibly talented Artist she is. Please stop," the statement concluded.
Shorthouse decided to face the trolling head-on and reposted the statement from her agency alongside a series of love heart and fist emojis, each to represent a different skin colour.
🤍🤍🤍✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 https://t.co/eWthVqTNI5
— Lucie Shorthouse (@LucieShorthouse) May 20, 2024
Before long, several of Shorthouse's followers took to the post to praise her performance in Rebus as well as condemn the racist trolls.
"A disgrace. So sorry to hear this Lucie. You are a total star," one fan penned before a second echoed: "Lucie is always a fantastic addition to any show she is in. I for one was so happy to see her back on screen. Keep living your best life x."
A third echoed: "Lucie is class and all these jealous clowns need to leave her alone."
And a fourth concurred: "I think you’re ruddy superb in it and it’s a richly deserved role, Darlin! Xx." (sic)
GB News has contacted the BBC for comment.
It's yet to be confirmed whether or not the BBC will give the green light to a second season of Rebus and whether Shorthouse will get the chance to reprise the role.
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BBC Rebus: Lucie Shorthouse appears in all six episodes
BBC
Leading star Rankin - who Shorthouse paid tribute to prior to the premiere - has already outlined his hopes for a second season of Rebus and it sounds like something his co-star would also relish.
Speaking to the BBC about how much she enjoyed working on the show, Shorthouse said the thing she loved most was the "camaraderie".
"Everybody on the job was so sound, so great, so up for it, but did everything with so much humour and warmth. It was honestly such a dreamy job," Shorthouse said.
As well as Rebus, Shorthouse's CV boasts roles in Channel 4's We Are Lady Parts, Sky's Bulletproof, and BBC comedy series Henpocalypse.