Australian actor Firass Dirani has denied claims he was axed from new Amazon Prime TV series The Office Australia.
On Thursday, the 39-year-old Underbelly star responded to reports that he had been dropped from the cast, which surfaced after he posted a pro-Hamas video on his Instagram.
In his Instagram Stories, Firass emphasized that he left the show months ago due to “creative differences.”
Firass was announced as part of the cast of The Office reboot five months ago, but last week Amazon Prime insiders said he was no longer part of the production.
In his now expired message to fans and followers, Firass praised the production as “dynamic and professional”.
Australian actor Firass Dirani has denied claims he was axed from new Amazon Prime TV series The Office Australia
“The office has never let me down,” he said in his long message.
“We went our separate ways months and months ago for creative reasons. They were admirable and a dynamic professional production. I can’t wait to watch it.
“It’s the same ugly media that has been spreading lies and trying to assassinate my character since 2020.”
“This time they invented and fabricated a story that never happened,” he added.
“Tomorrow I will wake up as an uncomplicated, handsome prince.”
Insiders at Amazon Prime Video, the production company behind the anticipated series, explained the situation to the Saturday Telegraph.
In a post to his Stories on Thursday, Firass said he left the show months ago due to “creative differences.”
Last week, the actor shared a video on social media expressing his support for Hamas after the Palestinian militant group carried out a horrific attack on the Jewish homeland
“Firass’s casting on The Office Australia was announced but he didn’t make it into production,” they said.
“There were “differences” before production began. Production is complete and he is not on the show.”
The Saturday Telegraph says it is unclear what these “differences” are.
Chron Australia has contacted Firass for comment.
Earlier this year, Prime Video announced that Firass would star in the remake alongside Felicity Ward, who will play a “modern-day David Brent.”
Other stars of the series, which is a spin-off of the legendary BBC sitcom and the award-winning US version, include Edith Poor (The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power), Steen Raskopoulos (The Duchess) and Shari Sebbens.
Last week, the actor posted a video on social media expressing his support for Hamas after the Palestinian militant group carried out a horrific attack on the Jewish homeland.
Dirani failed to win many fans during his appearance on SAS Australia in 2020 after upsetting the other recruits and constantly breaking the rules (pictured right with Ant Middleton).
Firass complained that Hamas, which the Australian government classifies as a terrorist group, was being “propagandized as if it were a militant terrorist group.”
He also compared the plight of Ukraine – which was invaded by Russia in February 2022 – to the cause of Hamas, saying recent attacks that killed hundreds of civilians were “Palestinians resisting the oppressors.”
Israelis ended the week-long religious holiday of Sukkot earlier this month when the Palestinian militant group rained down around 2,200 bombs from Gaza.
Firass failed to win many fans during his appearance on SAS Australia in 2020 after upsetting the other recruits and constantly breaking the rules.