Shadowhunters actor Dominic Sherwood apologises for using ‘disgusting’ gay slur on co-star
(Instagram/domsherwood)
Shadowhunters star Dominic Sherwood has apologised for using a homophobic slur to his co-star, who plays a gay character on the show.
As actor Matthew Daddario was recording a Facebook Live, Sherwood entered the room and cheerily said: “What’s up, fag?”
(Instagram/domsherwood)
Daddario, who plays gay Shadowhunter Alec Lightwood in the Netflix teen drama, urged him to stop, warning him that they were live.
Hours later, Sherwood posted a lengthy Instagram video asking for forgiveness from fans, many of whom look to the show as an example of LGBT representation.
(Getty)
The 27-year-old, whose show is part of the largest cohort of LGBT characters on TV ever, said he was “truly, truly sorry” for what he said.
“I’m speaking to all of you today to hold myself accountable, and not to make any excuses in any way,” he said, standing alongside Daddario.
(Netflix)
“The way I behaved today was disgusting and ab…horrible, and Matt’s reaction was absolutely correct. It was one of disgust.
“I think so many problematic phrases go unchallenged and they perpetrate negativity and hate and intolerance,” he added.
“And today, I was a part of that. And I am truly, truly sorry.”
He swore that “moving forward, I will endeavour with every ounce of me that the words I use create love and happiness, and tolerance.”
(Instagram/domsherwood)
The British actor pledged to “never create hate or intolerance or unhappiness or sadness for anyone, because that’s never my intention.
“I will deeply consider the words I use and what exactly I mean and what I’m trying to say rather than sending out a message that I in no way mean,” he continued.
(Instagram/domsherwood)
“I’m deeply sorry to all of you and to my castmates, and I’m sorry for disappointing my fans of the show.
Then Daddario chimed in, telling fans: “I just wanna say one thing, especially to the young people who watch this show, who rely on this show.
(Getty)
“I want you to know that we support you tremendously. It is a conversation that we have every day.
“It is something we work for every day, and I wanted to make it clear to everybody that that this show, this crew, we stand for love and kindness, and we know that the fandom does as well.
(Getty)
“We could not be more proud of you and what you stand for, that love and kindness. So thank you all.”
Many fans registered their anger with Sherwood using the hashtag #DomIsOverParty.
One wrote: “imagine being STRAIGHT and having the f***ing audacity to tell queer people not to get upset over this.”
(Twitter/bxtswoman)
Another said: “Hearing dom say that is so disgusting, I can’t believe he’s being so disrespectful. It’s not a f***ing joke okay?
“There’s no defending dom. That’s too much. How can he be like that? To matt? To us ? To the people? Disrespectful”.
(Twitter/deathbymalec21)
One fan wrote: “if you support dominic sherwood after this & the many other offensive things he has said, unfollow me & block me.
“i’m so sick of straight white males being able to do whatever the f*** they want & not face any consequences. #recastjace”.
(Twitter/delennnas)
And yet another detractor said that “for how woke stan twitter claims to be im honestly shocked & disgusted with how many people i see supporting dom especially all the f***ing heteros speaking over lgbt+ people saying “well he was just joking he didnt know he was on camera everyone makes mistakes!!”
(Twitter/rightintoplace)
See what you think.
Watch Sherwood’s apology here:
