HBO defends ‘Confederate’ series after white supremacist violence
In the wake of the violence out of Virginia this weekend in which a white supremacist rammed his car into a group of counter protesters, killing one woman and injuring many others, the idea of a show about the Confederacy winning the Civil War in an America where slavery is still legal isn’t sitting well with people, even moreso than usual.
But the show, called “Confederate,” is still moving forward, according to HBO. The project drew criticism in July when it was announced that “Game of Thrones” co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were moving forward on the series and will start production as soon as the final season of “Game of Thrones” wraps.
— Protesters yank down Confederate monument in Durham —
https://twitter.com/AwDaniel23/status/896223958688772096
But the recent violence in Charlottesville has even more people calling for the show to be axed, and HBO is buckling down on its support of the series.
“We support everybody’s right to express an opinion but the suggestion of irresponsibility on our part is simply undeserved,” the network said in a statement provided to The New York Times on Monday.
“HBO has a long history of championing intelligent storytelling and we will approach this project with the same level of thoughtfulness that has always defined our programming. We recognize the sensitivity of this project and will treat it with the respect that it deserves. Our creative partners should be given time to develop the series rather than face prejudgment.”
Still, the series is not likely going to air until 2018 or 2019.
Because, for some, the Confederacy isn't alt-history. It's right now. #NoConfederate @hbo pic.twitter.com/NEm2vmghEJ
— April (@ReignOfApril) July 31, 2017
