Public Rebuttal
Northern Irish actor Gerard McCarthy has issued a formal response to Dame Maureen Lipman following public accusations of bullying and unprofessional conduct. The dispute, which centers on McCarthy’s withdrawal from the Soho Theatre production of Right Before I Go, escalated after Lipman characterized his departure as “cowardly, stupid and ignorant.”
McCarthy, known for his roles in The Fall and Call the Midwife, categorically denied any personal conflict with Lipman, stating, “For the avoidance of doubt: I have never met Maureen Lipman. I have never spoken to her. I have never contacted her. I have never asked for her to be removed from a production, nor have I ever refused to work with her.” He noted that the two actors were never scheduled to perform together in the suicide-awareness play.
This report draws on information published by gbnews.com and arabnews.com.
The Source of the Dispute
The tension between the two performers stems from differing views on the conflict in Gaza. While Lipman has been a vocal supporter of Israel, McCarthy clarified that his decision to leave the production was a personal choice based on his reaction to Lipman’s public statements. “My disagreement is with views Maureen herself has chosen to express publicly,” McCarthy stated, noting that he had previously admired her stage work but found her political commentary “deeply troubling.”
McCarthy also addressed the suggestion that his objections were rooted in antisemitism. He explicitly stated, “Nothing about my decision had anything to do with Maureen being Jewish. Antisemitism is abhorrent, and I condemn it without qualification.”
Institutional and Political Context
The public exchange has highlighted the intersection of artistic participation and political alignment. McCarthy pointed to what he described as an inconsistency in Lipman’s position, referencing a 2020 Guardian interview in which she stated she would not tour with actors who supported the Palestinian cause. He contrasted this with her criticism of his own decision to step away from a production due to political differences.
Both actors have now left the production of Right Before I Go, which was scheduled to open at the Soho Theatre in September 2026. McCarthy concluded his statement by addressing Lipman’s instruction for him to “grow up,” writing, “I sincerely hope I continue to have that opportunity. Tens of thousands of children in Gaza never will.”