‘Schitt’s Creek’ actor Rizwan Manji defends his South Asian character’s accent

‘Schitt’s Creek’ actor Rizwan Manji defends his South Asian character’s accent

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Fans of the show questioned “Schitt’s Creek” resident Ray Butani, an eccentric businessman who runs a real estate, travel and photography company. Butani, one of the few non-white characters on the show, speaks with an accent and, according to some viewers, plays with the stereotypes of South Asian men.

But the Indian-Canadian actor who plays Ray, Rizwan Manji, said in an interview with the Toronto Star that he invented the character’s accent alone and did not think his characterization was offensive.

“It’s a slight Indian accent – someone who was probably raised in Canada, but was probably born in India or Pakistan,” he told the newspaper. “I don’t regret it because I think it really works for Ray. He wasn’t like everyone else in that city. He was from somewhere else.”

When he was cast on “Schitt’s Creek,” said Manji, the producers gave him free rein to develop Ray – there was no guidance on whether he had an accent. At a table reading, he experienced an accent similar to what he had played in a previous role. Dan Levy, the star and co-creator of the show, approved, said Manji.

Manji said he avoids taking offensive roles, although at the beginning of his career, that is almost everything he was offered. He only got offers for characters like taxi drivers or convenience store employees, and he was always asked to interpret them with a strong accent, he told Star.

“It was very strictly, like, the joke was about the accent,” said Manji.

Manji said that while about 60% of his roles involve using accents, he only employs them when he thinks they are necessary for the character.

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Some critics told Star that they felt that Manji’s characterization was still in line with the expectations of the public and white producers. For a series that prides itself on its inclusion – Levy’s character has been in a relationship with a man for much of the series and marries him in the end – Ray’s role seemed contemptuous.

In a statement to Star, Levy praised Ray’s representation by Manji and the choices Manji made, which Levy emphasized was not made for him by the producers.

“All of the characters on our show were created with love, respect and humanity,” said Levy. “It has been gratifying to have these intentions reflected through overwhelming public support for these characters. That said, I welcome any perspective that encourages conversations about diversity, especially in entertainment.”

“Schitt’s Creek” won nine Emmys in 2020, which Levy and other cast members, including Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, accepted at a socially distant screening party in Toronto. Manji, who lives in Los Angeles, encouraged them virtually.

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