Olivia Wilde has opened up about her time onHouse, reflecting on the impact of her character and the shocking backlash it received. Wilde, now a celebrated actor and director, got her breakout role as Alex Kelly onThe O.C.but rose to stardom when she joined the hit medical drama during season 4,playing Dr. Remy “Thirteen” Hadley, a doctor with Huntington’s disease. Although the show was a massive success, becoming themost-watched television showin the world in 2008, it seems that some storylines were not well-received by audiences.
In a recent interview withVariety,Wilde discussed how Thirteen’s storyline stirred controversy because the character’s bisexuality and interracial relationship storylines broke new ground for television at the time, whichresulted in “insane death threats constantly coming into the studios"and extra security measures on set. The star also emphasized how far television has progressed in normalizing such stories. Read her comments below:
Seeing what’s on television now, if you watch ‘Euphoria,’ the fact that that my character was shocking and groundbreaking then, it’s like, no, it’s nothing.
What This Means For House’s Legacy On Television
It Was A Pioneer In Representation
Wilde’s portrayal of Thirteen was fundamental for many reasons, not only for the character’s exploration of life living with a terminal illness but also for the representation of bisexual women on television. Herstoryline also included a romance with Eric Foreman(Omar Epps), which marked one of the first instances of a major network drama tackling the complexities of an interracial LGBTQ+ relationship. At the time, this was highly uncommon, making Thirteen a standout character on television. Her comments highlight the importance that characters like Thirteen helped in breaking down barriers and paving the way for greater representation on screen.
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The star attributed this backlash to the cultural landscape of the time, noting how far television has come in normalizing what once were such polarizing themes. The criticism thatHousereceived also demonstrates how societal attitudes have shifted, and allows the public to truly appreciate how far representation has come, with now having multiple diverse and complex portrayals of different types of relationships in shows likeEuphoria,The Last of Us, andHeartstopper.
Our Take On Wilde’s Comments
This Just Sheds Light On How Far Representation Has Come
Wilde’s comments shed light on the 2000s cultural climate and the show’s groundbreaking efforts to normalize LGBTQ+ characters and interracial relationships. While it is unsettling to hear about the extreme backlashherHousecharacterreceived, it’s a testament to the importance of representation in the media. Although mundane today,Thirteen’s storylines were ahead of their time, and the risks the show faced have surely contributed to the inclusive stories we see today.
While progress has been made sinceHousewas on air, it is clear that there is still work to be done, yet her comments also serve as a good reminder to see how far culture and television have come since Thirteen first appeared on screens.
Her comments also serve as a reminder of how vital it is to continue pushing boundaries in storytelling. While progress has been made sinceHousewas on air, it is clear that there is still work to be done, yet her comments also serve as a good reminder to see how far culture and television have come since Thirteen first appeared on screens.
House
Cast
House is a medical mystery drama in which the villain is typically a difficult-to-diagnose medical malady. It follows Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie), a world-renowned disabled diagnostician with a notorious substance abuse issue. With his team of world-class doctors, House has built a reputation as one of the most brilliant doctors in the world - an especially impressive feat when taking into account that he rarely actually sees his patients.
