Rebel Wilson responds to idea that only gay actors should play gay characters in film and TV

Rebel Wilson has shared her thoughts on the idea that only LGBTQ+ actors should take on LGBTQ+ characters.

The actor appeared on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs, and offered her opinions on the question.

Desert Island Discs is a long running show on BBC Radio 4, and by 'long running' we mean since 1942, so more than 80 years.

Celebrity 'castaways' share which records they would choose to take with them if they were stranded on a desert island.

In her appearance on the show, Wilson reflected with host Lauren Laverne about whether there are different standards in comedy for men and women.

The Pitch Perfect star said: “I don’t think there’s a different standard, it’s more this thing about, if you are something then now you’re allowed to joke about it.

“So say, if you are overweight, you can say jokes. But if you’re not [you can’t]… that’s kind of what’s currently happening.”

Wilson, who came out in 2022, then shared her thoughts on only gay actors playing gay roles.

Rebel Wilson appeared on Desert Island Discs. (JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)

She said: “I think that’s hard. It’s going into this territory of like saying, ‘Well, only straight actors can play straight roles and gay actors can play gay roles,’ which I think is total nonsense.”

Wilson went on to say that she thinks people 'should be able to play any role you want'.

Reverting back to the original question, Wilson reflected that she thinks the job of comedy is to 'flirt with that line of what’s acceptable'.

She explained: "Sometimes you do step over it but, at the end of the day, you are trying to entertain people.”

Wilson publicly came out when she revealed her relationship with Ramona Agruma, to whom she has since gotten engaged.

Wilson is engaged to Ramona Agruma. (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for AppleTV+)

The actor also opened up about her experience coming out, saying: “Even though I come from a very conservative background, it went very, very well …

"My grandparents, who are in their 90s, are just so chilled and cool with it.”

Unfortunately she revealed that her fiancée's family has not been so understanding.

She said: “Her mum has luckily come around now, her father still doesn’t talk to her, but we’re hoping that will change.”

Wilson has been in the headlines lately after publishing her explosive memoir Rebel Rising.

Passages from the book containing allegations against Sacha Baron Cohen were redacted in the UK edition for legal reasons.