Dame Maureen Lipman has publicly challenged actor Gerard McCarthy to address her directly following his withdrawal from a London theatre production over her political views on Israel and Palestine.

McCarthy, known for his roles in the BBC drama "The Fall" and the Channel 4 soap "Hollyoaks," announced his decision via Instagram, citing discomfort with Lipman’s publicly expressed opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict. He stated that he did not seek to influence casting decisions or expect shared views but chose not to promote a colleague whose political stance differed from his own.

The production in question, "Right Before I Go," is scheduled to run at the Soho Theatre in London, with performances culminating on September 10 to coincide with World Suicide Prevention Day. The play features real suicide notes from a diverse range of individuals, including celebrities, veterans, and bullied teenagers. It is followed by a post-performance discussion involving the cast, audience members, and a mental health professional.

Lipman, 80, who has received seven Olivier Award nominations over her career, slammed McCarthy’s decision as an act of “virtue-signalling” and called on him to demonstrate "courage" by engaging with her directly. Speaking to the press, she expressed concern that McCarthy had been “radicalised” and criticised his refusal to meet with her. Lipman emphasised her long history of working with actors who hold differing political opinions, stating that political views have never previously affected her professional collaborations.

“If he doesn’t want to work with me, that is fair enough. But if he won’t face me, he is being a coward,” Lipman said. She added that by limiting himself in this manner, McCarthy was restricting his future opportunities to work only with like-minded high-profile actors.

Lipman’s outspoken political stance became publicly noted earlier this year after tragic stabbings of two Jewish men in London. She drew comparisons between what she perceives as rising antisemitism in Britain and the conditions in Germany in 1933.

The conflict between Lipman and McCarthy highlights the complexities faced by artists navigating political disagreements within creative settings, especially those involving contentious issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The production’s aim to foster open dialogue on mental health and suicide prevention now carries an added layer of public debate concerning freedom of expression and political tolerance within the arts community.