Olivia Wilde recently reflected on her impactful role in the acclaimed series House, discussing the significant cultural challenges her character faced. While Wilde initially gained fame as Alex Kelly on The O.C., her portrayal of Dr. Remy “Thirteen”Hadley in season four of House catapulted her to stardom. Thirteen, a doctor navigating life with Huntington’s disease, quickly became a pivotal figure in the show. Despite the show’s immense popularity, becoming a global sensation in 2008, certain narrative choices sparked considerable backlash from some viewers.
In a recent interview with Variety, Wilde addressed the controversy surrounding Thirteen’s bisexuality and her interracial romance with Eric Foreman (played by Omar Epps). She revealed that these groundbreaking elements led to a spike in hostility directed towards the series, mentioning that they received “insane death threats constantly coming into the studios“along with the need for heightened security on set. Wilde emphasized the progress television has made in representing diverse narratives since her time on the show, stating:
“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.”
The Legacy of House in Television History
Pioneering Representation on Screen
Wilde’s role as Thirteen was groundbreaking not only for its candid depiction of living with a terminal illness but also for presenting relatable bisexual characters on mainstream television. The complexities of her relationship with Foreman marked a rare, bold exploration of an interracial LGBTQ+ pairing during a time when such representations were still largely absent. This context underscores how crucial Thirteen’s character has been in advancing conversations about diversity in storytelling.
Wilde attributed the intense backlash to the cultural atmosphere of the era, illustrating how far Hollywood has progressed in normalizing diverse narratives. The resistance House faced highlights a significant shift in societal attitudes, allowing audiences to recognize and appreciate the strides made in representation today. Shows like Euphoria, The Last of Us, and Heartstopper now feature a plethora of complex relationships and diverse characters.
Insights on Wilde’s Reflections
Highlighting Progress in Representation
Wilde’s observations provide a valuable lens into the cultural dynamics of the 2000s, illustrating House‘s pioneering role in making LGBTQ+ narratives and interracial relationships more acceptable in popular media. While the hostility directed at her character may seem shocking now, it emphasizes the critical need for representation and its effect on society at large. Thirteen’s storylines, once considered revolutionary, set the stage for the inclusive narratives we see more frequently in contemporary TV series.
Despite the advancements achieved in the realm of representation, Wilde’s comments underscore the ongoing efforts needed to continue expanding the boundaries of storytelling. These reflections serve as a potent reminder of how far cultural attitudes have evolved since Thirteen first captivated audiences.
Source: Variety