Ukraine on Wednesday accused Serbian actor Milos Bikovic, who is expected to star in the upcoming season of the hit series “The White Lotus,” of supporting Russia “since the invasion began,” in a message addressed to the American television channel HBO.
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The 36-year-old actor, who received Russian citizenship in 2021, was honored by President Vladimir Putin in 2018 for his contribution to the country's culture.
“Milos Bikovic, a Serbian actor who has supported Russia since the start of the invasion, is set to star in the third season of HBO's The White Lotus,” the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry protested on X (ex-Twitter).
“HBO, don't you mind working with a person who supports genocide and violates international law?” he added, addressing the television network that produces the show.
HBO announced in mid-January that Milos Bikovic would be joining the cast of next season. According to trade publication Variety, production is scheduled to begin in Thailand in February.
The broadcaster has not yet responded to this criticism.
Milos Bikovic, who starred in several Russian films, received Russian citizenship by decree of Vladimir Putin on February 24, 2021, a year before the start of the invasion of Ukraine.
“It is a great honor for me to be able to say today: Russia is my home,” he wrote on Instagram at the time, saying he saw himself as an “active member of Russian society.”
“The White Lotus,” a scathing satire of the hypocrisy of the rich, achieved critical and critical success, most notably winning the Emmy Award for Best Drama Series in January.