Jason Isaacs, 61, issues apology to Oscar-winning actress, 25, after facing backlash for ‘absurd’ nudity remarks
Jason Isaacs has apologised for comments he made regarding his nude scene in HBO’s The White Lotus, admitting he used the “wrong words in the wrong way”.
The 61-year-old actor has backtracked on remarks about a supposed “double standard” for male nudity in television, with Isaacs acknowledging that women have been “monstrously exploited” in cinema, not men.
The British star, known for his role as Timothy Ratfliff in the third season of the hit series, explained his original comments came out wrong because he was tired after numerous interviews.
In a recent episode of The White Lotus, Isaacs’ character Timothy Ratfliff accidentally exposes himself when his dressing gown falls open in front of his mortified children.
The scene, described as one of the season’s most shocking moments, sparked widespread speculation about whether the actor had used a prosthetic.
The awkward moment occurs after Ratfliff’s wife Victoria mentions some of her Lorazepam pills are missing, unaware that her husband had been helping himself to her supply.
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During an appearance on CBS Mornings, Isaacs was questioned about the nude scene, prompting a frustrated response: “A lot of people are debating it. It’s all over the internet. The best actress this year is Mikey Madison at the Oscars and I don’t see anyone discussing her vulva.
“I think it’s interesting that there’s a double standard for men. But when women are naked, Margaret Qualley in The Substance, nobody would dream of talking to her about her genitalia.”
When pressed further by host Gayle King, Isaacs retorted: “What is your obsession? Mike White is a brilliant writer, it’s the best series on television for a long time.”
Following his comments, Isaacs clarified his position in a statement to Variety: “There is a [different] double standard — women have been monstrously exploited and men haven’t. It came out wrong, and I was tired. I’d done so many interviews.”
“I absolutely should not have mentioned those two actresses, whom I respect enormously. Mikey Madison I’m a massive fan of. My point wasn’t that men have had a harder time than women — that would be absurd. Women have had a monstrous time on camera forever, and I hope to God that is changing.”
Isaacs explained he had been trying to deflect attention from the nude scene to focus on the show’s broader merits and added to Variety: “I had been asked so many times in the same day by journalists: ‘Are you wearing a prosthetic?'”
He found the repeated questioning “embarrassing and inappropriate”, admitting: “I thought I could have fun batting it off, but I batted it off very poorly.”
The actor added that one of the reasons male nude scenes are included in The White Lotus is to “redress the unfair balance” of nudity on screen, and said he wanted to “brush away” the nudity questions lightheartedly.
Despite Isaacs’ reluctance to confirm details, his co-stars have revealed the truth about the scene.
Sam Nivola, who plays his son Lochlan, told TV Insider: “I kinda forgot about that. There’s so much that happens… and I blacked out. But that wasn’t his real penis.”
Sarah Catherine Hook, who portrays daughter Piper, added: “It was a prosthetic… It was really funny, and he was very excited to do it. I think he took pride in the prosthetic. He gave that guy a nice shot.”
Isaacs’ clarification has been well-received online, with many praising his willingness to admit his mistake as users commended the actor for being proactive in setting the record straight.
“Ultimately, we’ve all said things we reconsider after,” wrote one Reddit user before another added: “He corrected it immediately too, and not with an Instagram story that disappears after 24 hours.”
Another user concluded: “It’s a full acknowledgement of the stupidity of what he said and feels more honest than most.”