HBO responds to #NoConfederate controversy: ‘We hope that people will reserve judgment’
Two weeks ago, Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss announced they were making an alternative history drama called Confederate, about an America where slavery still exists. Also working on the show are producers Nichelle Tramble Spellman (The Good Wife) and Malcolm Spellman (Empire). The internet immediately deemed this a terrible idea, with a wave of negative comments, followed by a Twitter campaign built around the hashtag #NoConfederate. Benioff and Weiss’ defense has been that the show isn’t out yet, so the verdict shouldn’t be either.
They acknowledged in an interview with Vulture that they’re dealing with weapons-grade controversial material here. And there’s a reason viewers don’t trust the idea: Benioff and…