Eddie Redmayne says playing a trans character in 'The Danish Girl' was a mistake

Eddie Redmayne has addressed the controversy surrounding his Oscar-nominated role in 'The Danish Girl,' calling his decision to play transgender pioneer Lili Elbe in the 2015 drama a 'mistake.'

The "Fantastic Beasts" star, who is preparing for a new West End production of "Cabaret," was speaking to U.K. publication the Sunday Times.

"The Danish Girl," directed by Tom Hooper, is inspired by the story of Elbe, one of the first people to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

Although Redmayne was nominated for a string of awards for his performance, his casting as Elbe prompted complaints, with many critics arguing that the role should have gone to a trans actor.

At the time, trans writer Carol Grant described his casting as "regressive, reductive, and contributes to harmful stereotypes."