Geno Segers, the 49-year-old actor known for his role in Yellowstone, has been forced out of the Broadway musical Hadestown following the re-emergence of clips in which he expressed the view that transgender rights should not take precedence over those of others.
Mr Segers had been announced last week as the new Hades in the Tony Award-winning production, with a start date of September 1st.
He was among several fresh additions to the cast.
By Sunday, however, the show confirmed that its producers and the actor had “mutually agreed that Mr Segers will no longer join the Broadway production,” as reported by The New York Times.
Geno Segers had been cast as Hades in the Broadway production of Hadestown
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No official explanation was provided for the parting of ways.
The footage that apparently cost Mr Segers his place in the show had been removed from his social media channels shortly after his casting was revealed on Thursday.
An online theatre outlet, OnStage Blog, subsequently republished the clips, having sourced them from the actor’s YouTube page.
In one video, Mr Segers declared: “I’m not against anyone living out their lives the way they want, but I am against their rights superseding the rights of other people. That’s a little bit foul.”
The actor said transgender rights should not ‘supersede’ the rights of others
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PAHe went further, stating: “I don’t see transgender people becoming oppressed or being oppressed.”
The actor also addressed the subject of pronouns, remarking: “If you ask what my preferred pronouns are, and it’s not obvious to you that I’m a he/him… surely you don’t need any help.”
On Monday, Mr Segers took to social media with an extended apology that appeared to address the controversy directly.
“To all affected communities, I wish to extend my most sincere apologies to everyone impacted by my words,” the actor, who also appeared in the television series Perfect Harmony, wrote.
He acknowledged that the consequences of his remarks mattered more than his intentions, stating: “While I never intended to inflict harm, I recognise that the impact of my statement is what matters most.”
Mr Segers pledged to listen, learn and raise his own standards, adding that he would strive to “earn the opportunity to make things right.”
He also directed his regret towards his would-be colleagues and all those connected to the production, declaring: “I accept full responsibility for my words and acknowledge the necessity of immediate accountability.”
The reaction online was sharply divided.
One unforgiving follower wrote: “Idk it seemed like posting multiple videos misgendering people was intending to inflict harm but that’s just me.”
“I have no intention of inflicting harm,” he says, actively inflicting harm,” said another.
A third penned: “Bro it’s 2026. How has it taken this long for you to start listening and elevating your standards? If this is an honest apology, then I’m happy for you, but d**n.”
Someone else added: “I hope this is sincere. The theater community needs to be safe for our most vulnerable colleagues. They need our support and solidarity, not crass bigotry.”
Before joining the cast of Hadestown, Geno Segers was known for his role in TV drama Yellowstone
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However, many supported the actor.
One fan wrote: “It’s a sad world when you have to apologise for your values.”
Someone else penned: “No need to apologise. You did or said nothing wrong.”
A third added: “You spoke truth; they can’t handle the truth. It is Broadway’s loss.”
The actor’s casting was announced just days before the controversy emerged
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“For a community that screams for inclusivity, they’re quite exclusive. And I’ve been saying this for years!” added a fourth fan.
Actor Ben Davis, whose credits include Once Upon a Mattress and New York, New York, will now take on the role of Hades in the production.
Hadestown, penned by Anaïs Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, weaves together the mythic stories of Orpheus and Eurydice alongside those of King Hades and Queen Persephone.
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