Joseph Fiennes Talks Playing Michael Jackson in TV show: ‘I’m as shocked as you may be’

While many are shocked that Joseph Fiennes, a white actor, is playing Michael Jackson in a TV special, the actor defends why his casting is just right.

“It’s a tongue-in-cheek, fun, light look at three wonderful characters that we know — Michael Jackson, Liz Taylor, and Marlon Brando — and they go on a road trip together,” Fiennes said, according to Entertainment Weekly.  “Some say it’s an urban legend, and our story basically says, ‘If it happened, maybe it happened like this.’ They’re stuck in a car for 500 miles as they drive to Pennsylvania, and we get to hear some of the shtick that goes on.”

Fiennes also said that he’s also shocked to have been tapped to play the King of Pop. “I’m a white, middle-class guy from London,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “I’m as shocked as you may be.”

The TV special entitled “Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon,” will be broadcast on the Sky Arts channel in the U.K. and joining the actor are Stockard Channing (Elizabeth) and Brian Cox (Marlon).

“It’s a light comedy look. It’s not in any way malicious. It’s actually endearing,” the actor goes on to say, citing this isn’t a racism issue. Fiennes admits he’s a fan of Jackson and with him playing the role, he grew more in awe of the music legend.