‘Back to Black’ Backlash: Eddie Marsan Says Marisa Abela Was ‘Attacked’ Over ‘Clickbait’ Casting

Back to Black will mark a breakout stardom for lead actress Marisa Abela, but the portrayal of late Grammy winner Amy Winehouse sparked a symphony of hate during production – including critics denouncing Abela’s casting.

Abela’s co-star Eddie Marsan, who plays Winehouse’s father Mitch in the film, told IndieWire that Abela endured “terrible” hate from critics while filming in the UK. The real Mitch Winehouse even had to defend Abela’s casting when the film was first announced, even though Abela was the first actor officially attached to the project.

“I could tell she was nervous. She’s still a young actress and it was a huge role,” Marsan said in a recent interview with IndieWire. “We had an instant bond, so when we had to shoot scenes in London on location in Camden and Soho, it was terrible because even though we…