Renee Zellweger has been criticised for wearing a fat suit as she takes on the role of murderer Pam Hupp in her upcoming NBC series.
The decision has been branded ‘damaging, fatphobic, and potentially triggering to fat people,’ just weeks after Sarah Paulson also came under fire.
The Bridget Jones actress was spotted donning the suit on set for her upcoming NBC series The Thing About Pam.
She wore the suit under jeans and a puffer jacket, wearing her hair in a bob as she mirrored the killer’s look.
Oscar-winner Zellweger was also spotted holding a large drink from a fast-food restaurant and hopping into a car in more snaps.
Elsewhere, a crew member was pictured hauling the fat suit around on a hanger.
Plus-size writer Sarah Alexander told Metro.co.uk: ‘A fat suit has always been a way of mocking fat people no matter who wears it, even if it is for an acting role.
‘Actors that have previously worn them (Gwyneth Paltrow, Sarah Paulson) have admitted they regret their choice in wearing one and that it causes harm. There are plenty of incredibly talented plus-size actresses that could have been hired for the role instead of Zellweger. Why were they overlooked and a fat suit considered a viable option?
‘For Zellweger to masquerade as a plus-size person is damaging, fatphobic and potentially triggering to other plus-size people. It seems like she has not considered the effects this will have on fat people, and is unaware and/or naive that she is adding to the stigma fat people already face on a daily basis.’
The NBC true crime drama will follow Zellweger, 52, as Hupp, who is serving a life-sentence in prison.
In 2016, Hupp murdered Louis Gumpenberger, who had severe mental and physical impairments, shooting him in her home in Missouri.