Odessa A’zion has officially dropped out of the upcoming film adaptation of Deep Cuts following widespread criticism over her casting. The actress, best known for Grand Army and Mare of Easttown, was set to play Zoe Gutierrez, a character described in Holly Brickley’s novel as having both Mexican and Jewish heritage.
While A’zion is Jewish, she is not Mexican, and the casting quickly sparked conversation online around representation and authenticity. Within days, the actress addressed the backlash directly through a series of Instagram stories, announcing her decision to step away from the project altogether.
In her statement, A’zion made it clear that she agreed with the criticism and took responsibility for accepting the role without fully understanding the character’s background. “Guys, I’m with all of you and I’m not doing this movie. That’s not me, and I’m out,” she wrote, thanking fans for bringing the issue to her attention. She added that she initially auditioned for a different role in the film and was later offered the part of Zoe, which she accepted without having read the book in detail.
“I should have paid more attention to all the specs of Zoe before accepting,” she admitted. “Now that I know what I know, I’d never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it.”
A’zion emphasized that her decision was rooted in respect for the character and for actors who more closely reflect Zoe’s identity. She noted that there are “plenty of people more than capable of playing this role,” and said she looks forward to seeing who is ultimately cast.
The response has been largely mixed but thoughtful. Some praised A’zion for listening, acknowledging her mistake, and stepping aside without defensiveness. Others pointed out that the situation highlights a larger issue within casting practices, where actors are often offered roles without adequate consideration of cultural specificity until public backlash forces a reckoning.
Deep Cuts, based on Brickley’s acclaimed novel, is expected to move forward with recasting, though no replacement has been announced yet.
While debates around representation in Hollywood continue to evolve, A’zion’s exit adds to a growing list of cases where actors have publicly reconsidered roles after conversations around identity and authenticity. Whether viewed as accountability, caution, or a necessary correction, the moment reflects an industry increasingly under pressure to align casting decisions with the stories it aims to tell.