Oscar winner Helen Mirren’s role as former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in the historical epic “Golda” garnered backlash for her portrayal of a Jewish woman.

The British icon, 78, recently gave her take on the controversy to the BBC and defended the use of facial prosthetics to create the character of Meir.

There has been much debate over Mirren’s role — as well as Bradley Cooper’s playing of legendary Jewish composer Leonard Bernstein in his upcoming Netflix film “Maestro” — due to both actors being non-Jewish.

The “Red” star appeared on “Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg,” and was asked if she understood the hate over the films.

Mirren said: “I think I can see, but sometimes I can’t see, because I can’t see who in this room is Jewish.”

“We are all such an amazing mix,” Mirren stated, also adding she has no problems with the opposite occurring: “Jewish actors playing non-Jewish roles.”

“Certainly I don’t have an issue with Kirk Douglas playing a Viking,” she noted, referencing the 1958 swashbuckling flick, “The Vikings.”

Mirren explained: “Kirk Douglas was Jewish.”

“I think the whole question of assuming a certain physiognomy because you’re playing a particular race, there is something offensive about that,” the “Woman in Gold” actress said. 

“On the other hand, if you’re playing Leonard Bernstein, and this is really what Leonard Bernstein looked like, you know, maybe it’s a good idea. It’s a very delicate balance,” Mirren noted.

Mirren added to Radio Times that she finds it “ridiculous” that writers are being told to stay in their lanes, and “the whole issue of casting has exploded out of the water fairly recently.”

“It’s more frightening for a writer to be told they are not allowed to write about subjects with which they don’t have an immediate DNA connection,” she said. “I imagine it must be very alarming. And ridiculous.”

“I’ve had other Jewish roles, but not an uber-Jewish role like Golda Meir. I did tell [director] Guy [Nattiv] that I’m not Jewish, in case he thought I was,” she explained. “I said, ‘If that’s an issue, I’ll step away, no problem.’ But he said, ‘No, it’s not an issue. I want you to play Golda.’ And off we went.”

“Golda” writer Nicholas Martin previously told Radio Times: “I find it very worrying that there is a creeping authoritarianism in entertainment saying you cannot do this or that. Am I just supposed to write about middle-aged men living in south London?”

He added: “Helen’s job was to portray Golda authentically, which Golda’s family would say she has. A leading Israeli historian said that Helen is ‘more Golda than Golda.’ ” “Golda” is now playing in theaters.

Cooper, 48, for his part, was trolled for donning a prosthetic nose in “Maestro” to make him look more like Bernstein.

Bernstein’s kids — Jamie, Alexander and Nina — stood by the “Hangover” actor’s portrayal, sharing a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) in August.

“Bradley Cooper included the three of us along every step of his amazing journey as he made his film about our father. We were touched to the core to witness the depth of his commitment, his loving embrace of our father’s music, and the sheer open-hearted joy he brought to his exploration,” they penned. “It breaks our hearts to see any misrepresentations or misunderstandings of his efforts.”

The trio continued: “It happens to be true that Leonard Bernstein had a nice, big nose. Bradley chose to use makeup to amplify his resemblance, and we’re perfectly fine with that. We’re also certain that our dad would have been fine with it as well.”