Actor Kevin Zegers Targeted Over Alleged Pro-Israel Stance

Canadian actor Kevin Zegers, known for his role as Damian in "Gossip Girl," is facing backlash and a petition calling for his removal from the second season of the LGBTQ+ hit series "The Gloaming." The campaign, which has garnered over 4,400 signatures on Change.org, alleges that Zegers's purported pro-Israel views contradict the show's values of acceptance and inclusion.

The petition specifically cites Zegers's social media activity, including a November 2023 Instagram post showing a former Israeli hostage reuniting with her father. Protesters accuse the 41-year-old actor of using Islamophobic rhetoric and indirectly supporting Israel's actions in Gaza.

"The Gloaming," which focuses on a secret romance between two rival hockey players, has become particularly significant for the LGBTQ+ community. The petition urges the show's creator, Jacob Tierney, and Canadian streamer "Crave," which produced the series, to replace Zegers, who is slated to play a coach in the upcoming season.

Filming for the second season began last month. Zegers is expected to portray coach Vibh alongside returning stars Hudson Williams and Connor Story, reprising their roles as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, respectively. The series is based on a book series by Canadian author Rachel Reid.