‘House Of The Dragon’ Star Matt Smith Bemoans “Policing” Of Stories Through Trigger Warnings

https://deadline.com/2024/09/matt-smith-bemoans-policing-through-trigger-warnings-house-of-the-dragon-1236075566/

In an interview with The Times of London, the actor, who shot to fame in Doctor Who, said that flagging potentially upsetting content was dumbing down storytelling for audiences.

“Too much policing of stories and being afraid to bring them out because a climate is a certain way is a shame. I’m not sure I’m on board with trigger warnings,” Smith said.

“It’s OK to feel uncomfortable or provoked while looking at a painting or watching a play, but I worry everything’s being dialed and dumbed down. We’re telling audiences they’re going to be scared before they’ve watched something.”

Several British actors have spoken out about trigger warnings this year. Judi Dench said she was surprised to learn that theater audiences were routinely being warned about potentially distressing content, including abuse, violence, and loud noises.

Ralph Fiennes said theatergoers had “gone soft” in an interview with the BBC. “The impact of theatre should be that you’re shocked, and should be that you’re disturbed, I don’t think you should be prepared for these things,” Fiennes said. “It’s the shock, it’s the unexpected, that’s what makes an act of theatre so exciting.”