Backlash Over Age Gap Between Tom Holland And Actress Playing His 'Mum'

Emmy Rossum is joining the cast of Apple TV’s forthcoming thriller The Crowded Room alongside Spider-Man actor Tom Holland as his mum.

However people have been left seriously confused – and quite heartbroken – after realising the tiny age gap between the two stars.

Holland will star in the series and executive produce the series. He plays a man named Danny and Rossum will play Danny’s mum, Candy.

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However, the Shameless actress is only 35 years old, making her a mere 10 years older than her on screen son, 25-year-old Holland.

Before even seeing any footage or pictures from The Crowded Room, people are already finding the casting hard to believe, especially when there are countless of talented actresses who could play Holland’s mum with a more believable age gap.

The casting has also made lots of television and film fanatics online upset that another opportunity for an older actress to have a lead role in a major TV show has been given to someone younger as an example of sexist and ageist casting trends.

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“I’m supposed to believe Emmy Rossum is Tom Holland‘s mom?!” one Twitter user asked.

Another confused person tweeted: “Just so everyone is reminded, Emmy Rossum is only 35. How the hell is she playing Tom Holland's, who is 25, mom?!”

While a third outraged fan shared: “We live in a world where Emmy is playing Tom Holland’s mom… there legit only 10 years apart”.

Elsewhere, one fan quipped: “She had him when she was 10. Stop asking questions!”

“This is ridiculous!!” someone declared on Instagram after reading the casting news. “There are so many amazing actresses 45+ that should be considered for this role”.

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And someone else quipped: “Emmy looks just as old as Zendaya”.

The Crowded Room is described by Apple as a “seasonal anthology” that is partly based on series creator and writer Akiva Goldsman life and the biography The Minds of Billy Milligan which explores the life of a man with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Those who have read the book are reassuring fans that Holland’s character’s mum mostly appears in flashbacks, hence the mere decade age gap. When the casting news was announced, Apple did not confirm if Rossum’s character will be relegated to flashbacks or will also feature in real time.

Tyla has contacted Apple TV for comment

Topics: TV And Film

Gregory Robinson

Gregory is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, he has worked for both print and online publications and is particularly interested in TV, (pop) music and lifestyle. He loves Madonna, teen dramas from the '90s and prefers tea over coffee.