Controversial Casting: Ed Skrein's Nazi Portrayal in All The Light We Cannot See Shifts a Teamwork-Driven WW2 Narrative to 2019
Unveiling Ed Skrein's portrayal in All the Light We Cannot See: A captivating look into his role as Herr Seidler and whether it was inspired by a real-life character Dive into his intriguing Nazi connection!
Article Overview
Ed Skrein plays a Nazi officer in the Netflix limited series "All the Light We Cannot See" and previously played a US Navy bomber pilot in the movie "Midway."
In "All the Light We Cannot See," Skrein portrays Rudolf Seidler, who, set against the backdrop of World War II, enlists a capable radio technician named Werner to serve in the Nazi army. It is worth noting that although Skrein's character in "Midway" is inspired by a historical figure, his portrayal in "All the Light We Cannot See" is a work of fiction.
Ed Skrein briefly appears in All the Light We Cannot See, playing the role of a Nazi officer, which is a stark departure from his character in a different World War II movie released in 2019. The 2023 Netflix limited series revolves around Marie-Laure LeBlanc and Werner Pfennig, portrayed by Aria Mia Loberti and Louis Hofmann, respectively. Set during the height of the Second World War, the series follows their lives as they develop a connection through a radio broadcast. In episode 2 of the show, Skrein portrays Rudolf Seidler, a high-ranking Nazi officer known as Obersturmbannführer.
Seidler takes notice of Werner's habit of listening to non-German radio broadcasts and goes to the orphanage to confront him. He then brings Werner to his home and challenges him to fix his wife's radio or face dire consequences for his disloyalty. Due to Werner's exceptional skills with radios, he successfully repairs the device, impressing Seidler. Recognizing his talent, Seidler recruits Werner into the Nazi army, where he becomes an expert in detecting and locating radio transmissions during the war. Prior to his role as the character who profoundly impacts Werner's life in All the Light We Cannot See, Skrein had previously appeared in another World War II film.
Ed Skrein Previously Played US Navy Bomber Pilot Dick Best In Midway
Four years prior to his role as a Nazi officer in All the Light We Cannot See on Netflix, Ed Skrein portrayed Lieutenant Dick Best in the 2019 movie Midway. The film, set during World War II, focused on the Battle of Midway, and Skrein's character served as a dive bomber pilot and squadron commander in the United States Navy. Taking place from June 4 to June 7, 1942, the Battle of Midway marked a crucial turning point in the war. In the movie, Best played a significant role in the United States Navy's triumph, a stark contrast to Skrein's portrayal as a Nazi officer in the Netflix miniseries. Thus, the actor has showcased his versatility by portraying characters from opposing sides of World War II.
Was Ed Skrein's Herr Seidler Based On A Real Person?
Midway is a depiction of a true event from United States history. Lieutenant Dick Best, portrayed by Ed Skrein, led a Navy squadron during the Battle of Midway. However, it should be noted that Skrein's character in the 2023 Netflix limited series, despite being a Nazi officer, is not based on a real person. On the other hand, All the Light We Cannot See is a work of fiction. It tells a fictional story with made-up characters, while its backdrop is inspired by actual events such as World War II and the Battle of Saint-Malo.
All episodes of All the Light We Cannot See are available to stream on Netflix.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about Ed Skrein's portrayal of a Nazi officer in the Netflix limited series "All the Light We Cannot See." On the one hand, I appreciate that Skrein is taking on a challenging and complex role. It's important for actors to be able to play a variety of characters, even if they're not always likable. On the other hand, I'm concerned that Skrein's portrayal of a Nazi officer could be seen as glorifying or romanticizing the Nazis. I think it's important to remember that the Nazis were responsible for the deaths of millions of people, and we should never forget the atrocities they committed.
I'm also interested in the fact that Skrein's character in "All the Light We Cannot See" is not based on a real person. This gives the character more freedom to be developed and explored. I'm curious to see how Skrein's character will evolve over the course of the series. I'm also interested to see how the series will handle the sensitive subject matter of the Holocaust. I think it's important for shows like "All the Light We Cannot See" to address the Holocaust in a respectful and accurate way.
