The first look at white British actor Joseph Fiennes playing pop legend Michael Jackson has been released in a trailer for an upcoming UK comedy series.
The Shakespeare in Love actor plays the 'Thriller' hitmaker alongside a bizarre collection of other historic characters, including Hitler (Iwan Rheon), Elizabeth Taylor (Stockard Channing), Bob Dylan (Eddie Marsan), Marlon Brando (Brian Cox) and Timothy Leary (Aidan Gillan).
Urban Myths: A Brand New Collection of Comedies is an anthology of "true…ish" stories that have become urban legends.
The urban myth involving the King of Pop centres on a road trip he, Taylor and Brando reportedly took to the west coast of the USA following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Fiennes' casting as Jackson was controversial when it was announced last year, amid a wider debate about diversity in the entertainment industry and the 'whitewashing' of ethnic roles.
In a 1993 interview, Jackson said in no uncertain terms that he would rather be portrayed by a black actor.
"Why would I want a white child to play me? I'm a black American. I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am."
Urban Myths: A Brand New Collection of Comedies will be broadcast on the UK's Sky Arts channel.
Newshub.