See Joseph Fiennes Play Michael Jackson in the Controversial ‘Urban Myths’ Trailer

Update: Due to controversy, Sky Tv pulled this episode of Urban Myths before it aired.

A first look at the upcoming comedy series Urban Myths has finally been revealed by Sky Arts, and it is already turning some heads.

The British TV series features Joseph Fiennes as the late Michael Jackson as he takes an alleged road trip with Elizabeth Taylor (Stockard Channing) and Marlon Brando (Brian Cox) following the attacks of 9/11.

During the short teaser clip, the trio gets pulled over by a policeman on the highway who cannot believe he has come face to face with the superstars.

When the casting news was announced that Fiennes would play Jackson, he received major backlash for the controversial role. The actor is white, while the character is African American, which some people see as “whitewashing.”

However, Fiennes understood why people were “up in arms” about the decision.

“This is territory that is sensitive,” Fiennes told the Associated Press. “One must determine if this portrayal is one that is going to be positive entertainment, and one that will not bring about division and put anyone’s noses out of joint, so I went with the mind that this was a positive light-hearted comedy.”

“The decision with the casting and the producers — I wrangled with it, I was confused and shocked at what might come my way,” Fiennes said to The Hollywood Reporter, “and I knew the sensitivity, especially to Michael’s fans and to Michael’s family. It doesn’t negate who he was.”

The half-hour installments will also feature Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones) as Adolf Hitler, Rupert Grint as Hitler’s friend, Ben Chaplin as Cary Grant, Aidan Gillen as Dr. Timothy Leary, Eddie Marsan as Bob Dylan, and David Threlfall as writer Samuel Beckett.

Urban Myths premieres on January 19 on Sky Arts. Check out the full trailer above.