Actor Gerard McCarthy has pulled out of the West End transfer of the play Right Before I Go after declining to publicly promote co-star Dame Maureen Lipman, citing her outspoken pro-Israel views as incompatible with his own political beliefs. McCarthy, known for BBC dramas including Call the Midwife and The Fall, had been set to reprise his role when the production moved to London's Soho Theatre, but withdrew following Dame Maureen's casting announcement and after tensions reportedly developed with the play's creator, Stan Zimmerman.

McCarthy, who had performed the role at the Edinburgh Fringe, said in an Instagram post that he had privately raised his concerns rather than seeking to have Dame Maureen's casting reconsidered, saying he simply did not wish to use his own platform to promote someone whose views differed from his own. Dame Maureen, 80, has been a prominent Jewish voice supporting Israel since the October 7 attacks and has previously described facing anti-Semitic abuse and needing private security while touring; she has not commented publicly on McCarthy's departure. The play itself deals with suicide, using real suicide notes, and each performance is followed by a discussion with a mental health professional.